All I ask from my dining moments….

We are all different and these differences are seen in many areas including food. What do you look for in dining moments? Some of us are masters at recognizing the mix of flavors and aromas in our food.

Others are particular about the ambiance and would want some comfortable seating, appropriate music, and charming decor. What do you ask for in your dining moments?

Different diners will have that one thing that tickles their fancy. That one thing could be the reason to frequent that spot! Ever been to that one diner where you feel they get you? They do things how you would love them. An eatery will offer you something you will like. Another one will do things differently and you will still like something about that place. Of course, I am not talking about those places we didn’t enjoy dining from.

All in all, all I ask from my dining moments is what I have found in these eateries as I traveled around:

Taste (Lusaka, Zambia): This restaurant has outdoor seating. It also has a fireplace and serves great cocktails! Did I mention they have good coffee too? I wanted to experience a magical morning at Taste. There was fresh coffee and a delightful breakfast menu awaiting. Surrounded by beautiful gardens, this is an eatery offering a peaceful escape from our everyday grind.

The experience at this restaurant was as if the staff at Taste knew all I ask from my dining moments is a fresh omelet. Ohhh! For the love of well-done breakfast eggs! I will do this place soon.

Alliance Francaise (Lusaka, Zambia): This is an international organization that aims to promote the French language and francophone culture around the world. Having a branch in Zambia and a desire to learn French just to impress the French, I headed there for entertainment. The eating spot I saw there offered the necessary bites which I enjoyed. All I ask from my dining moments is something to go with those burgers. Some entertainment does make an eating moment memorable.

There is a time to have food in silence but I am imagining this happening in really organized families (or maybe royals). I wanted some entertainment. It was a relaxed evening with presenters in the likes of poets, guitarists, comedians, and ventriloquists. All this, where I could enjoy the evening breeze! That is all I ask from my dining moments.

Dar Lalla (Lusaka, Zambia) Let’s face it, sometimes it’s about the name first. Have you ever thought like, “He must be a handsome dude or pretty girl with that name!” That’s pretty much the theory I had. I loved the name first and that’s what moved me. I didn’t even look it up. Someone just mentioned it. It’s okay to judge an eating spot by its name.

Not to sound spiteful, but coming from Zambia, we have some funny names for companies, especially the small ones. Some small booths providing phone services can have vengeful sounding names like, “God is the judge Phone Dealers.” All I ask from my dining moments is to go to that nice diner with a name as nice as Dar Lalla.

I have enjoyed all my coffees, juices, and bites from this diner. All I ask from my dining moments other than a cute name is a clean environment where I can see how my meals are being prepared.

Sometimes it’s just the fresh air I went to enjoy. Though this place is near a building that looks like a group of companies sharing a space, the eating place is open to everyone.

JCS Food Market (Lusaka, Zambia)

All I ask from my dining moments is to cross borders to other countries using the food ticket. There is no way I will buy a plane ticket to China but I want to have my China moments in the comfort of my zone! JCS Food Market is the place for food enthusiasts. It offered dining options all under one roof! Each restaurant had its unique charm and this made deciding where to dine a wonderful challenge. All I ask from my dining moments is this endless choice of enticing aromas, simmering sauces, and a mix of flavors, and not being limited.

With menu options like I found, everything was enticing but I ultimately settled on a tantalizing combination of chicken and pasta, expertly cooked in the Chinese way. All I ask from my dining moments is large portions! Fancy hotels are culprits when it comes to small portions and we get it sometimes you aren’t just paying for the food but the place too. So when I experienced JCS Food Market, I left the place feeling not only stuffed but with a doggy bag too!

Green Ethiopian Restaurant (Lusaka, Zambia)

All I ask from my dining moments is to know some food I didn’t know because it was so different from what I have in my day-to-day life. If what you ate from an ethnic restaurant didn’t make you inquire more from the restaurant staff about it, it was not ethnic enough. In some restaurants like Chinese restaurants, you may choose to have what you normally have from home but cooked in a Chinese way with some Chinese spice.

The one thing I remember having from this ethnic restaurant was injera. Injera is a sour fermented pancake-like flatbread with a slightly spongy texture, traditionally made of teff flour. In Ethiopia, Eritrea, and some parts of Sudan and Kenya, injera is a staple food. It is central to the dining process, like bread or rice elsewhere. All I ask from my dining moments is to learn something from that ethnic kitchen. It was different from the usual and I am glad when I visit Ethiopia some day, it will be a better experience to appear knowledgeable of what others have for food.

March 23, 2024 4

A Must Try Cafe: Livingstone’s Kubu Cafe Review

Cafes are great locations to relax, take in a warm atmosphere, and have a delicious cup of coffee. For those looking for a break from the daily grind, these lovely spots provide a retreat. Cafes are the ideal setting for deep chats with friends. They provide peaceful moments of isolation because of their laid-back vibe.

These spots are the perfect place to catch up on work, read a compelling book or people-watch. Freshly brewed coffee in the air will tantalize your senses. It will foster a welcoming and cozy atmosphere.

Cafes are places where you can Imagine yourself curled up in a cozy corner. They sometimes have soothing music playing in the background. This is what I walked into at Kubu Cafe. I went there for a conversation. I didn’t realize I was there for two meals and some dessert. I realized it’s enticing to remain for a while and enjoy the experience. This is because of their charming decor, gentle lighting, and plush seats as well.

An excellent cafe should provide its customers with a warm and pleasurable experience. A decent one needs the following things below:

Coffee Quality: Good coffee is the foundation of any cafe. A customer wants a well-made espresso and brewed coffee. They desire a range of premium teas and other beverages. I am not a coffee addict. I could tell the clients around Kubu Cafe were enjoying their coffee. I was enjoying my cappuccino.

Comfy Seats: A variety of comfortable seats create a warm atmosphere for customers. Some individuals might like the cozy embrace of a plush couch. Shared tables offer a unique setting for seating. This setting fosters a feeling of neighborhood and encourages interaction between varied groups.

When I linked up for a chill, I tried the shared table. We stuck around for a while and I ended up on a couch. I must say Kubu Cafe had a variety of seats which makes it an ideal hang-out spot for both individuals and groups. I even noticed baby seats which means every age group had a seating arrangement.

Wide Range of Menu Options and Considerate Pricing :
Variety is vital when it comes to designing an alluring menu. A cafe should have a wide variety of tastes and dietary needs. This helps customers find something they enjoy. At Kubu Cafe, you will have variety on the menu. What was on their board was not all there was on that day.

There is something for everyone at Kubu Cafe. The food ranged from mouthwatering croissants to savory sandwiches. I enjoyed the colorful salads, and mashed potatoes with a juicy t-bone steak. Going out to eat with someone means you can taste some of their food. My partner in crime at this cafe picked their chicken schnitzel with fries. I must add that it was well-prepared food that needed a signature dessert after. There is nothing that does it for me more than chocolate cake. Yummy…

Charging stations and WiFi: It has become more crucial for businesses to cater for their tech-savvy clients. Today’s world is fast-paced. Wi-Fi and charging stations are an efficient method to improve client experience. Having stuck around Kubu Cafe, we soon were in need of some charging. We didn’t care much about the WiFi because we had ours.

Sufficient Hours of Operation: Cafes should have enough hours of operation. This might influence a business’s success. It can decide to keep later hours or open earlier. This may draw a greater variety of clients. I liked that Kubu Cafe had these hours of operation.

A successful cafe blends hygiene, friendliness, and competent personnel. It is safe to say Kubu Cafe did well in these three areas. I was helped by one staff member who gave recommendations on a book sold there. Cafes may create a welcoming atmosphere that encourages repeat business. So the next time you enter a cafe, enjoy the right atmosphere. I left Kubu Cafe feeling refreshed.

October 20, 2023 10

6 Zanzibar restaurants you should try out in 2023

We travel for different reasons and one of these reasons are for the experience, food wise. Some people have selective taste buds while others choose to be adventurous and expose their mouths to much. It’s okay to be traditional but when you feel daring to do exotic foods, try out these eateries that will make you appreciate these foods.

One of the most captivating and serene African islands you will fall in love with is Zanzibar. There is lots you are gonna see but definitely lots to eat too. If you love dining out like I do, why not try out one of these:

1) Mangi Beach Bar and restaurant (in Nungwi)

The outside of Mangi Beach Bar and Restaurant

I wanted to know a bit more of Zanzibar than just its popular center which is Stone Town. I chose to do a day in the north of the Island. Having met some cool people that also wanted to head there, I tagged along. We had transport and just put some fuel and off we went. From Stone Town, it took us like one hour to get to the north of the Island. Have you ever been determined to have a meal with a view? Someone did alert me how the northern parts of Zanzibar particularly Nungwi are home to turquoise waters and I wanted to experience this. We started off at about 9 O’clock and got there at close to 11.

You are gonna love this restaurant for its views and outdoors (provided it’s not pouring). I particularly liked the pine trees am guessing I didn’t mistake for coconut trees. The other thing you may like is how there is provision for you to enjoy your own space or chill with others. This is not a restaurant you should go to on a date and dress to kill…. in heels…nop. There is beach sand and I think you now know what your dress code should be, should you find yourself on a special date. I loved their wide selection on their menu but my focus was more on my favorite mashed potatoes with chicken stir fry. Yummy…Their pizza is actually delicious.

2) Wild Dove Cafe (in Nungwi)

Now some restaurants in Zanzibar are well known and have a large following. For Wild Dove Cafe in Nungwi, I can’t say that is the case. It is an upcoming restaurant that I see making it big should they continue with the meals I found. The place itself is nothing too fancy and you find it near Highland Bungalows in Nungwi.

You will like this place for the fair prices. It is found just in the dusty small roads of Nungwi so I guess no charging high prices here for things like views. I must say I had at least two to three good meals here and this was enough times to recommend others to give it a try. Their menu had burger, in curry, grilled and fried selection. There was pasta and noodle selection as well. That wasn’t all. They also made sure to cater for those that do desserts.

3) Zenjis Food Lover’s Joint (in Stone Town)

This restaurant is one of the most popular ones on the island. I particularly liked the location. Sometimes we don’t want to go so far in the outskirts to have that meal with a view. It’s okay to be within reach.

This restaurant is found in the heart of Stone Town. As you enjoy walking through the maze streets of Stone Town trying to find your way around, you will find this restaurant. I had a meal here that has made me recommend this restaurant to others. The setting of the restaurant is more like outdoor with a gazebo and well arranged tables.

I had company and opted to try seafood. I am a sucker for well done spicy, fluffy mashed potatoes. Knowing very well I come from a landlocked country and seafood is sold but not the one fresh from the ocean, I ordered some prawns. They were one of the most fresh prawns I have ever tasted.

The food, I must say, was well prepared and we were surrounded by helpful staff willing to give help at our request. Whenever you are in Stone Town, do try out this restaurant.

4) Lukmaan (in Stone Town)

Another restaurant I heard people talk much about was Lukmaan restaurant found in the heart of Stone Town. It is highly rated and boasts the best local, dining experience award in previous years. I enjoyed two meals there. This place was packed both times I went there which can only mean that many find it a perfect dine in pick.

I wanted to try out seafood because it is actually expensive back home! I particularly loved their succulent prawns that were slapped with some salad. The restaurant has wide variety on the menu: Arabic food, fish, all sorts of seafood and pizza. The price range of food on their menu is from about 50 cents for the naan to about $15.

5) New Monsoon Restaurant

Walking around in Stone Town, I did find a restaurant just close to where I lodged. The New Monsoon Restaurant it was. It was beautiful inside out. You can dine from the outside or inside but with the scotching heat of the Island, I chose to sit outside. The view you have sitting outside is that of people walking down the paved roads. In the evening, you could catch a glimpse of street markets and ocean view. Forgive me for my love for mashed potatoes but I was at it again. The chicken mishkaki went perfectly with it. They made sure the salad was fresh and colourful. I tried looking for something to wash this food down and Indian Whiskey was just perfect.

Should you be in Stone Town, Zanzibar for whatever reasons, do stop by because this place prides itself with the ability to offer multi cuisine, Indian and Indo Chinese food created at high standards.

6) The Silk Route (in Stone Town)

I felt like Indian food and because this place was just a stone throw away from where I lodged, trying it out was easy and it actually felt like visiting India! What I liked first about this restaurant was the view when on the next floor. You could see parts of the ocean and the busy town of Stone Town and am guessing it’s more heavenly in the evenings! The theme colors inside were orange, brown and cream.

The beauty about having someone to dine with was cost sharing which leads to having what we desired to have like….wait for it…lobster!!! It was my first experience and I didn’t regret it a single bit. It came with potato wedges and a salad. The second time around, I got rice and some beef stew which was medium hot spiced. Tasty! This restaurant has a wide selection on their menu and if you have a 15 cents to $20 on you, you could walk out of this place with a smile.

May 15, 2023 3