|
Restaurant Review
Hibiscus Restaurant
Open again, after being closed for a few years, is The Hibiscus
Restaurant in Jesmondine, Lusaka. Also, it is under new ownership
and management.
Impressions you have of something and memories of past visits linger
on and my impression of The Hibiscus was of a restaurant which was
more formal than most others in Lusaka, but also one that was more
expensive, so when manager, David Semple, called to say that they
were now open, I decided to take a look. I was right on one count
and wrong on the other.
The Hibiscus certainly is more formal than most restaurants. Tables
are set with starched white table cloths, maroon fabric napkins (or
serviettes as we tend to call them in this part of the world) and
cutlery is laid out on the table rather than it being brought
wrapped up in a paper napkin. Crockery is also the standard formal
white. But despite being formal, one did not feel uncomfortable,.
Just occasionally, one feels that it is time to dress up very
smartly and go out for dinner, and this would certainly be the place
to do it. But at the same time, you would feel very comfortable and
not out of place if you were ‘smart casual’.
On the menu are many standard favourite dishes, but these are
coupled with something slightly different and not available from
other restaurants. On the starter front, the standards include Greek
Salad (K16,000) and Chicken Liver Peri-Peri (K18,000). For something
slightly different amongst the dishes to choose from are Smoked
Salmon (K26,000), Haloumi and Crispy Bacon Salad rather than plain
Haloumi (K22,000) and a Three-cheese Fondue for two (K32,000).
Main course dishes include the inevitable steak (we Zambians do like
our steak, and why not, it is one of the best in the world)
including a Cheesy Mustard Steak which is fillet topped with Swiss
cheese and whole grain mustard (K56,000); Quails in Port Sauce
(K52,000); Road Duck Breats with Orange and Grand Marnier Sauce
(K52,000); Rosemary Lamb Chops (K 50,000) and Pork Schnitzel with
Mushroom Sauce (K50,000). Fish dishes include fresh water fish
(Bream); sea fish (Kingklip and Sole) and prawns, mussels and
calamari and range in price from K 49,000 to K 75,000 for the tiger
prawns.
For the vegetarians, there is a Three-cheese Mushroom Lasagne
(K40,000), Stuffed Baked Potatoes (K32,000) or Pasta with Mushroom
Sauce (K36,000.
Choice of desserts include Cherries Jubilee (K23,000), Chocolate
Mousse (K14,000) and a Chocolate fondue for two which is served with
marshmallows and fresh fruit (K30,000). If you want something which
is no too rich, the there is also fruit salad, ice cream and milk
tart.
All the prices include 10% service charge and 17.5% VAT, so they
certainly are very reasonable when that is taken into account.
Meals can be taken inside or on the large veranda overlooking the
garden.
The Hibiscus also now has a Board room for companies who need a
venue for a meeting but don’t wish to use one of the hotels. It is
fully air conditioned and seats up to 18 people round an enormous,
highly polished, dark wood table. For meetings, the normal teas and
coffees are served and meals would be served in the restaurant.
Situated on Central Street in Jesmondine (although the entrance is
on the side street), they have a large walled parking area so
security of your vehicle is taken care of.
I
certainly can recommend The Hibiscus and as Christmas approaches and
if you don’t want to cook on Christmas day, will not be going out of
Lusaka and haven’t quite decided what to do, why not consider The
Hibisucus. They will be serving a traditional Christmas lunch. But
you will have to book early.
Premuni Restaurant
Up until a couple of weeks ago, Premuni was situated on the Great
East Road, ‘just around the corner from the office’. Quite often,
especially on Friday evenings, when we hadn’t managed to get out of
the office at a reasonable hour and were only planning to go home
for dinner, we would grab a take-away from Premuni. It was always
easy : give them a call, place the order and go down half an hour
later and the food was ready. From time to time, we would also
decide to eat there rather than getting a take-away.
When I heard that they were moving, I was very interested to know
where they were moving to, because it was very easy having a
restaurant so close especially since most other restaurants are way
off the route from office to home. I was happy when I heard that
they were only moving to Panganani Road (the same road as Mr Petes,
just a little way down and on the same side)
Last week, with the family all off, either at school or away on
business, I was working late (deadlines were approaching) and rather
than grab a burger from the shop down the road, I decided on a
take-away – Indian food was definitely what I fancied and certainly
a lot easier than cooking something when I got home which was going
to be way after 10. So, I grabbed the Lowdown (strange that I should
have one so handy), found their new number and phoned my order
through. I was given the usual ‘30 minutes time’ and made my way
down there. It’s not quite as close as the old one, but certainly
close enough. Also, unlike their old premises, they don’t have a
walled in parking area, but there is now plenty of room to park and
they do have a security guard outside who looks after your vehicle.
Getting to the restaurant is not that great. It is through a gate in
the wall, up a set of stairs and into the waiting/lounge/bar area of
the restaurant. The dining area is in the next room and although
the outside of the restaurant is not terribly well decorated, a lot
of efforts has been put into the interior. It is certainly a lot
more attractive than their old premises.
Being an Indian restaurant, the meals are all deliciously spicy and
there is a good variety. And there are the usual little bits that go
with the main course – the naans, the pappadums etc. My favourite is
the butter chicken (I can never remember the proper name for it) and
a delicious mutton and spinach dish (the name of which I can also
never remember). And for those who don’t like very hot food, they
can prepare mild or medium dishes as well.
Downstairs from the restaurant is a shop selling various Indian
delicacies and an enormous array of the spices that are used in the
preparation of Indian dishes. Walking into the shop brought back
memories of my childhood; my grandmother worked for a company in
Bulawayo called Rhodesian Spiceworks in the 60’s and I loved
visiting her at work because of the smell of the spices. I could not
help myself but to wander around the shop, supposedly taking a good
look at what was available, but really just breathing deeply and
enjoying those delicious aromas.
Why don’t you try it sometime : either to eat there or to get a
takeaway. The food is always good. |
December
2006