The much-awaited Nairobi Restaurant Week is finally upon us and if you're spoilt for choice with the over 70 participating restaurants to go to, then look no further! Artcaffe grand at Westgate mall is where you need to be this week. They have a wide array of food you can choose from that will only be exclusive during this 11-day period. The best part about it is that they will only be serving this menu during this period.
We had the absolute pleasure of sampling from the entire menu. Chef Asaf Hamo presented a menu that was perfect for any pallet- sweet and savoury dishes were the order of the day. There was something for everyone, the vegetarians and the meat lovers.
The starters were truly appetizing and all ingredients used were unique, it was almost impossible to think that certain combinations could turn out to taste so good. We will be using a 5-star rating to give guidance on what we felt worked best:
The Starters: - Chicken Crepe
This was pure and utter perfection, don't believe me? Then you should have taken a look at everyone's face on the table the minute they sank their teeth in it… mmmh! The pancake was adequately moist and stuffed with stir fried chicken, pepper and chilli jam (you red it right). The sweet sauce that accompanied it made it all the more to die for! Also, the humongous size of the meal is definitely a plus!
- Seared Tuna
The tuna was nothing to write home about, but the bed of eggplant tartar served with spicy yoghurt was yum! The edible flower was also quite an interesting touch to the dish.
- Stir Fried Mushrooms
The mushrooms were nice and crunchy, adequately spiced as well. The bed of soft polenta that accompanied the mushrooms was also nice and mushy.
- Eggplant Cigars
If you're a meat fan such as myself, you'll be irked by the name but believe it or not, it was a pleasant surprise. The dish is stuffed with lamb and olive tapenade and wrapped in delicious bread crumbs served with delicious black eggplant cream and tahini. The taste is perfect for those with a savoury tooth because it melts perfectly in your mouth. Plus, the presentation is pure perfection!
Main Dishes - Grilled Salmon
I am a self-proclaimed fish addict so technically that would make me the perfct fish critic, right? The salmon was mouth-watering, and grilled to utter perfection. The fish skin fries were defintily unique but dint sit too well with me.
- Green Risotto
Any vegetarian would love this meal. It's a fusion of broccoli, French Beans, Italian Spinach and peas served with Parmesan butter. The combo might sound a little odd but once you have just a little taste, you'll struggle with trying to keep the fork down.
- Beef Fillet
The grilled beef fillet was so-so. It would have tasted a lot better if it was flavoured and spiced more. However, the bay potatoes were really yum, particularly with the chiller butter sauce poured on top of them.
- Duck Breast
The duck breast did not sit well with me, and this could be entirely because it's a type of meat Im not too acquainted with. With that being said, some of the invited guests really enjoyed it- especially those who have frequently eat it, while others also didn't quite like it. Howeveer, the mashed butternut was everything and more! It was creamy and delicious. In addition, the cooked pear with dipped in red wine was perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
- Meat Trio
This one makes for a perfect feast for all the meat lovers. The beef fillet was medium-rare and juicy, the chicken was phenomenal and duck was good. To top it all off the creamy mashed potato was finger-licking good. The asparagus was also delicious.
Dessert - Chocolate Destruction
There was no better way to wrap up such a delightful food-tasting than with this amazing cake. The three-layered cake made of chocolate ganache, a brownie, white chocolate ganache and berry moue which was coated with white chocolate and macademia nuts. The combination melts perfecty in your mouth leaving you begging for more!
PERFECT COMBO:
To wrap it all up, this combination will make for a perfect and filling three-course meal:
Starter: Chicken Crepe
Main: Meat Trio
Dessert: Chocolate Destruction
