Treats On a Budget

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I long for the day I will stop living from paycheck to paycheck. That said, we’re in the season of giving and here I’m making work easy for my favorite people, putting out a list of gifts I would want to receive. Came across this interesting idea of creating a payday wishlist from Shirley’s Wardrobe. Listicles are my thing, so every month I will curate a list of  things I’m loving lately with links on where to buy them. Peep my November payday wishlist!!!!

1. Can we just rob a bank for Bakuli Blue’s hand made and painted crockery?

Speak about having a champagne taste on a beer budget. I’m happy Pinterest feeds this obsession for now as I pinch pennies for my ideal kitchen. Growing up, did your mother have a collection of ‘for guests only cutlery set?’ What happened to you if God forbid you broke one of her most treasured cups?

Have a look at more of Bakuli Blue’s creations here. They have the cutest flower jugs, soup bowls, cups and side plates.

Tea in cute cups always tastes better. Quite honestly I just wanna sip my morning fix of green tea from this striped cup and saucer.

2. A weekend getaway to a cozy cottage in Ngong Hills, Yes Please!

Photo Courtesy Vanessa Knight Holiday Homes Kenya

I have been feeling extremely fatigued over the last couple of weeks. Could do with a weekend getaway not too far from the city. I was looking through the Holiday Homes Kenya website and they have some interesting choices.  A weekend retreat at Olohoro Nyoro Ndogo, Ngong Hills might just be what I need (hoping bae reads this article). It’s Sh18,000 per night. This is why you should always travel off-peak, it was Sh12,500 in June.

Don’t you just want to wake up to this? Take a bath in their outdoor tub, sit outside with a glass of wine enjoying the views of the great rift valley?

Photo Courtesy Vanessa Knight Holiday Homes Kenya

3. An afternoon at Brown’s Cheese Factory

This has been on my wishlist for a while now. For the price of Sh4000 per person here’s what to expect;

A tour of the factory and how cheese is made

Discover flavour differences and cheese families through tastings

3 course lunch

Mozzarella making for groups that are interested

3 glasses of wine or beer per person

Buying a selection of cheeses to take home at factory prices.

Visit their website HERE, for more details.

4. A succulent affair

Did you know, learning the name of a plant before buying it is important because it helps you research on how to take care of it? I have mourned the death of so many indoor plants over the last few months up until I bought the Swiss cheese plant. Upon further research, I discovered that the sap from its leaves is toxic to people, cats and dogs. Lucky for me, I don’t have any babies or pets around so my plant is thriving.  I love the big, bold and beautiful foliage type of plants. What’s your preference? After excelling in keeping a plant alive for months now, it’s time I bought my Swiss Cheese a sister.  Succulents have been all the fad for a while now, so why not?

I love this mini clay pot with succulent from Yamadori House it’s Sh500 and they have quite a selection.

Also enthralled by these Succus in cups from Migwi Farm and they are only Sh350. Follow them on Instagram for more.

5. I’m here for the bell sleeves

On to matters fashion. Have you been keeping up with the trends lately? I’m currently obsessed with tops/blouses; the bell sleeves, off shoulders, bardot, cold shoulder, ruffles, stripes just to name a few. Spotted a bell sleeved top on Instagram recently walked to the shop on Ngong Road and the price tag of Sh4500 was way out of my budget. Stumbled upon this magenta off shoulder bell sleeved blouse on this gorgeous dark skinned model for Sh2600. (Cue Sauti Sol’s Melanin). I’m seriously considering shipping it from Spree a website in South Africa.  I sure do hope my secret santa stumbles upon this article.

Be on the look out for my December payday wishlist.

(Cover photo courtesy Vanessa Knight Holiday Homes Kenya)

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Visiting Two River’s Mall for the first time? We will save you the hassle of settling for the nearest restaurant because you couldn’t be bothered to walk around.

A couple of weeks ago, I went to Two Rivers Mall for lunch. Feeling so ravenous after skipping breakfast, we began walking around the mall but couldn’t make a decision on where to eat.

Then the power of social proof played games with our topsy-turvy state and we settled on Aldar Lebanese & Oriental restaurant. We later regretted that decision.

I recalled Where to Eat when At the Hub Karen is one of my most read articles on the site and here we are. This list will be updated with time, if and when I get access to the menus and the price list of each restaurant.

These are the 16 places to eat – Two Rivers Mall edition

1. Olpul steak house

Comfort food restaurant. They describe their food as a regional and gourmet menu. Starters are averagely 550 for soup or spicy calamari. For the mains lamb chops sh1500, Sh2000 for a morendat beef fillet steak, Olpul beef burger for Sh850 and dessert Sh450 for a Tiramisu. You get the gist.

Check out their menu and pricelist HERE. 

2. Colosseum Restaurant & Lounge

Cuisine: Italian.

Their prices average Sh1600 for a Pan fried red snapper, Sh800 for a pie, Sh1200 for some homemade pasta tossed with prawns.

Check out their menu here

3. Aldar Restaurant Lebanese & Oriental cuisine

Cuisine: their name tells it all

Average price is Sh1200 for chicken wings, Sh1500 for a mixed grill, Sh600 for a Kebab wrap, Sh750 for hummus teas and coffees are averagely Sh250. They also have Shisha.

4. Nagala’s Chakula 

Cuisine: Indian and Swahili

From their Swahili menu they serve biriyani for Sh700, grilled prawns for Sh850. While from their Indian menu a selection of Kebabs, Tikka, Sandwiches etc. Jumia food comes to the rescue with this menu here. 

5. Sabor a` Mexico 

Name translated –  taste of Mexico. Enjoy a burrito, taco at Sabor.

Cuisine: You already guessed it.

Their social media presence is very wanting actually non existent so of course menu isn’t available.

    6. Afghan house

Cuisine: First Afghan restaurant in Kenya

In case you need to inquire about their Baklava’s or qabli pilau, check out their social media page here, they are very responsive to messages. And they offer outside catering too. 

  7. Lotos

Cuisine: Chinese

Saved by Jumia Food once more. Have a look at their menu here

  8. Adega Express

If Portuguese is your taste then Adega is YOUR place!

It’s a member of the Adega in Lavington franchise and very affordable at that. Fish wrap Sh600, chicken pasta Sh850, greek salad Sh500.  Menu available here

9. Mister Wok

Cuisine: Chinese

A very comprehensive menu of Mr.Wok is available here. Everything from soups to noodles, seafood and vegetarian is listed.

10. Teriyaki Japan

Cuisine: Fast food/Japanese

Their website has been under maintenance for a long time now. But if you’ve never been here, they serve BBQ beef, with chips and Noodles,Chicken Teriyaki with a regular going at Sh490, Sh570 for a large and Sh650 if you feeling extra. 

11. Burger King

The choice is yours! Are you having a double whopper or a big king XL? Keep up with their social media page here, as they list all the offers they have at any given time.

  12. Btzek Lounge

It’s a lounge, cocktail bar and seafood restaurant. More information on their page here. 

  13. Attibassi Coffee

Cuisine: Italian. More information about Attibassi’s pasta, pizza available here.

  14. Artcaffe

Posted by Artcaffe – A brewed coffee and inviting interiors are just what you need. Serving up freshly baked pastries especially for you at our beautiful & brand new Two Rivers branch. Keep up with them here. 

  15. Nove Coffee Roasters

Grab some breakfast at Nove, think french toast with caramelized apples. More information on their social media pages here.

16. Chicken Inn, Pizza Inn, Creamy Inn

Need I say more here????

  Cover Photo courtesy Btzek Lounge!

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I recently discovered ‘Hakuna ma’vodka’ means no memories for the rest of the night. Don’t judge me, I ain’t judging you too if this is how most of your Friday nights end. Or a Saturday spent asking your friends, how much did I embarrass myself yesterday? Followed by I have quit alcohol and you blaming those 1000 bob Long Island cocktails from Kiza, coupled by the tequila shots you so willingly downed.   I know this tale all too well.

Also Read: 9 Best Cocktail Happy Hour Deals In Nairobi

Speaking of cocktails, have you been to Btzek Lounge located on the 1st Floor of Two Rivers Mall?  It’s a bar, lounge and sea food restaurant.

Bztek Lounge is a perfect venue for a night out, if you are looking to host an exclusive party thanks to its expansive space or just catchup with friends. We choose to freeze our asses off by sitting in their outdoor area.

Photo Courtesy Btzek Lounge

The Cocktail Menu

Their classic cocktails average Sh700 for a Cosmo or Manhattan while their signature cocktails average Sh900.

We dropped by during happy hour which is everyday from 5-7pm and their deal was buy 1 cocktail and get the same exact 1 free. My date ordered the Carribean weed, off the signature collection for Sh1000 which is a mix of smirnoff black, bombay sapphire gin, bacardi clear rum, jose cuervo blanc, blue caracao, tango apple sour and sprite.

While I had the classic dawa which is Sh750 with the usual brown sugar, smirnoff red vodka, lime wedges and honey. The Caribbean weed was the cocktail of the night really.  No one wants to order a cocktail with nary any booze otherwise I could have ordered a mocktail. Halfway through your cocktail and you’re already feeling a quick buzz.

Which is your go to cocktail joint in Nairobi and why do you love it so? Their cocktail selection, price, happy hour deals, ambiance, music selection? I would love to hear your recommendations.

Look out for my next cocktail escapade. CHEERS

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You wake up with an inkling that after the night of cocktail-swilling revelry that was your birthday eve, you might have made a drunken fool of yourself.  Who wants to waste their day moping and hiding in shame when you’ve the entire weekend all planned out?

It was one of the most epic birthdays celebrated with my favorites. I’m still reeling from all the memories made. One of the highlights was lunch at an Italian boutique restaurant located along Moi South Lake Road in Naivasha.

A little back story of how I came to learn about this gem. We were interviewing Chef Joseph at Nairobi Safari Club and he said whenever he was in Vasha he always had lunch at Matteo’s Italian Restaurant. Their good food came highly recommended.

Look at that view at night,photo courtesy of their website

“We wanted to make people aware of good Italian food. We wanted to create a simple place where people could enjoy a great meal and great value. A homely place where they’d get together with friends and feel like they’re part of our family, Matteo’s”

Their menu available on their website here, is very detailed with the correct pricing of every item on there. I love it when restaurants do this. We didn’t get a chance to check out the lounge/bar area as it was booked for a private function so we settled in the restaurant.

Their service was stellar with the chef welcoming us with a bruschetta when we arrived, followed closely by our drinks.

They have an array of really great wines and a 20% discount if you buy a takeaway bottle. I had a Cielo chardonanny which was their wine of the day.

For our starters,  I ordered their mushroom soup with tomatoes and potatoes, you know what they say about Kikuyus and their warus. Would I order it again? Probably not, it was quite bland and the soup lover in me was a tad bit disappointed.

  My person ordered the vegetable Lasagna and it was probably one of the best dishes of the day. I ditched my soup as soon as I had a mouthful of this starter. The egg plant, layered with mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, Parmesan cheese and  au gratin was such a flavorful cheesy dish. There was even a side of Parmesan cheese just in case you were feeling extra. And we went in with all that cheese. Eggplant is so underrated but when cooked good it is right up my alley.

Before we went extra with the Parmesan Cheese

For our mains, the plan was pasta or to try something new, still trying to comprehend how I ordered Classic baked lasagna bolognaise. We all blame the delectable vegetable lasagna.

Bae had a platter of assorted fried seafood the deep golden fried calamari, prawns and fish chunks. Interesting combo right here. It was my birthday lunch celebration but bae was making better food choices than I was. Why did I pass up a chance to devour the Grilled Norwegian darne of salmon, coated with Dijon mustard and pistachios? We must return to Matteo’s for this.

I had totally made a pig of myself by the time I was done with dessert. A delicous chocolate mousse.

Matteo’s pizzas are a popular item on the menu going by the number of families who were making orders. They range from Sh700-Sh130, Pastas from Sh1100-1650. Main courses Sh1300- Sh1800.

  Matteo’s is an intimate restaurant set on a quiet location that would be an ideal location for a birthday party, office party, lunch date, dinner et al. They are open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am – 10:30pm. Lunch was a delight, I would actually drive down from Nairobi for lunch when the road trip bug comes calling.

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In my eyes fashion blogger Silvia Njoki can do no wrong when it comes to fashion. Her fashion blog silvianjoki.com, has gathered quite the following. Silvia bagged the BAKE (Bloggers Association of Kenya) blog of the year title as well as the best fashion blogger award in 2015. She was also nominated in the 2016 Kids Choice Award – Favourite African Fashion blogger category. As a fashion stylist, she has styled the likes of Victoria Kimani, Elani, Vanessa Mdee and Wizkid.

She describes her style as UNPREDICTABLE and testament to that fact is her choice of outfits whether to a launch, red carpet event or a themed party.

My top 10 picks (All photos courtesy Silvianjoki.com)

Walking the red carpet –  cannes film festival. Dressed by Couleur de Lune in Canne.2. How you show up to a vintage themed glam party – long tiered skirt and an afro. What she wore to the pre-party of the Glitz Style Awards in Ghana. Outfit by Zii Studios.

Photo courtesy Riyality photography

3. She made quite the statement with these dress designed by Eddie Okolo at the themed Dinner en Blanc Nairobi in 2016.

4. Remember that time she wore a velvet pant suit designed by Kyoko Masemo to the 2016 tribal chic event?

How about her Lagos style diary?

5. Lagos Fashion and Design Week Day 2 – Wearing an  Iconic invanity gown to celebrate their SS18 collection.

  6. When you want to be a bit extra, subtle and true to your style.  Lagos Fashion and Design Week day 3 – Outfit by ziistudios.

7.  Staying true to the classics with an edgy vibe.   Lagos Fashion and Design Week Day 4 – Jumpsuit by Egoma Duekwe by Zinkata.

8. Attending the Dior beauty launch at Capital Club Nairobi dressed by Diva Delicious.

9. At the #glitzafrica style awards  Wearing scallodesigns 

10. Playing dress up even when you work from home. Also dressed by Zii studios

How’s this for unpredictable? Can we raid Silvia Njoki’s closet already?

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I call up my date five minutes before he leaves the house and announce rather elatedly that there’s a change of venue. Our initial plan was lunch at Grand Cafe an Indian restaurant on Lenana road but that could wait. Swiftly averting that lecture about the need to be decisive,  I was already explaining the method to my madness.

You see we hadn’t been to Two River’s since that weekend after it opened where a record 120,000 shoppers visited the mall. It was absolute chaos. Convincing my date that it was time we went back was no sweat.

Lunch was first on the agenda and we settled on Aldar, an oriental Lebanese restaurant. Most of the other restaurants were empty and Aldar was packed, save for 1 or 2 tables outside so we figured they must be doing something right. I was actually reading about this online (us choosing the crowded restaurant instead of an empty Colosseum right next which might have better food or is cheaper) and it’s the power of social proof. Read more about it here.

I’ve been creating a lot of dishes at home with chickpeas and eggplants, making dips and I was pretty stoked about the menu. Which doesn’t even begin to explain why I ordored what I did. There’s a choice of cold starters, falafel in the hot starters list, a variety from the charcoal grill or oven in the main course section. Or just a simple shawarma, salads or special rice.

Their bread a staple served on every table before the main meal and the savory dip was the highlight of my meal.

We made a safe choice and I ordered charcoal grilled lamb chops served with special rice for Sh1200, swapped the rice for fries instead. The meat was a tough chewy mess.

Our second order was the mixed grill of shish(grilled or roasted chunks of meat), shogof, lamb chop, kebab served with special rice for Sh1500. The chicken was a tad dry but their kebab was a favorite. 

I set out to learn more about Lebanese cuisine after we left Aldar and came across a blog post by Saides Kitchen with some interesting facts

Hummus  is a popular maza (appetizer)

Lebanese flat bread (pita) is a staple in every meal 

Baklava a Middle Eastern traditional dessert is so popular that there is even a day for it. November 17th is National Baklava Day.

Chicken shawarma is a well known Lebanese dish

Arak is a very strong (63%) and sweet alcoholic drink with flavour similar to Sambuca. This substance is lethal, I tasted it at Cedar’s and it’s a clear drink which turns milky after mixing it with water.

Have you been to Aldar Restaurant? Leave a comment in the section below. I would love to hear about all your Levantine dining experiences.  Here are a few more places you should check out

1. Beirut Lebanese Cuisine (Thika Road Mall)

2. Cedars Restaurant (87 Lenana Road)

 3. The Phoenician Restaurant (located at  Matundu Lane, Westlands)

4. Tambourin (Villa Rosa Kempinski)

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I received the 2016 Kenyan food market report and it was really intriguing to learn the most popular food trends in Kenya. Which reminded me of an article I was reading earlier on in the year by Evening standard UK addressing Nairobi’s buzzing food scene that’s starting to rival London’s. According to the article the diverse cuisines Kenya has to offer has played a huge role. Also the entrant of international food chains and the number of restaurants that have opened in the last year in a bid to tap into this food revolution is enough evidence.

Also Read: 9 Best Cocktail Happy Hour Deals In Nairobi

Back to the food market report, Data Fintech a consumer data broker in partnership with EatOut an online restaurant guide and booking site conducted a study to find the most popular cuisine in Kenya. Data analysed was collected over 12 months between January -December 2016. It was based on restaurants listed on EatOut, cuisines served, location and how you rated the restaurant.

Fun Fact: a good number of Kenyans are visiting restaurants serving Italian, Mediterranean with all these being grouped into 1 and most popular food category, Continental cuisine. Fast food comes at a close second with a popularity score of 5.71 against Continentals 7.02.

Photo courtesy: Lucca Villa Rosa Kempinski

Out of the seven major towns and cities, Nairobi is the main driver of cuisine popularity with Westlands and the CBD being rated highly in terms of fast food. This cannot be said for Karen and Gigiri as most people in this area were eating more of Ethiopian, Eritrean, Swahili all grouped under the African category.

Data was collected from over 450 restaurants and reviews from 5400 users were sampled. There were over 35 listed cuisines and Data Fintech grouped them into 7 broader categories.

More Kenyans are eating

1. Continental

Most popular food category garnered 38% of the leads. Encompasses Brazilian cuisine, Turkish, Spanish, Lebanese etc.

2. Fast Food

Fastest growing food category with a 12% lead in the market place. Restaurants offering fast food received very high ratings. Most popular in the months of June-August.

3. International 

Ranked 3rd in popularity despite the 37% lead against Fast Food’s 12. A lot of negative reviews for restaurants offering international food. Lavington was the only location where International cuisine was dominant.

4. African

Most popular in Karen and Gigiri. Had the highest potential to compete with international, 5% of the leads.

5. Dessert

An interesting finding as this only occupied 1% of the leads. Most people were having dessert around Westlands.

6. Bars

The popularity of bars was also analysed receiving very few and less favorable ratings.

Here is the grouping of the cuisines!

The time of the year also determined food preferences. Continental was most popular cuisine in January. International dominated in April with Kenyans eating a lot of fast food in June and ending the year with continental.

Cover Photo:  by EatOut – Shangrila Restaurant

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Me: Babe, can we do lunch today at the Tav?

Babe: It’s such a bad time of the month yani

Me: Don’t worry, it’s my treat (he doesn’t have to know lunch is on a discount)

If you work a 9-5 job, you know the struggles of trying to work a descent meal without being broke 10 days after payday. It’s either a kibanda kind of day, the mathe who brings pilau njeri to the office or homemade packed lunch. I prefer the latter.

So on days where I haven’t packed any lunch and I want to step out of the office for a meal. I love places with discounts. Which is why I settled on the Tav.

It is a modern Irish Pub with a rustic flair to it located on the ground floor of the mirage building.  We choose to sit at their very spacious terrace with a view of Chiromo Road. There were a number of tables occupied by people seemingly interested in the same discounted lunch like we were.

Their two course lunch menu offer is Sh600 Monday to Friday from 12 pm – 2pm. How’s this a discount, you ask? If you’ve never been to The Tav, off their normal menu the grill costs Sh1000- 1600. Burgers Sh750 for a veggie to Sh1200 for a pulled pork burger. I hope this gives you an idea of what to expect.

On this fine Friday afternoon, they were serving butternut soup and chef’s salad for starter. I had the soup which was super creamy and packed with flavor while bae had their very refreshing apple salad.

(Which restaurants would you say have the best soup you’ve ever tasted? Leave a comment in the section below)

There’s no selection on the main course as they just serve one main meal which was pan fried fish served with steamed rice and some gravy on the side. Don’t you just love how Chef Gordon Ramsay describes how the fish should be glistening even after it is cooked?

The problem of going on lunch dates Friday’s is the extended drinking hours. ‘One for the road’ begins as soon as you’re done eating. Unless you have to go back to the office, which was the case here.

Here’s some of the main courses they have served in the past. Lamb stew w/Cumin Rice and Grilled Beef Steak w/Pepper Sauce and Rosemary Potato wedges.

They always update their Instagram with the special of the day as the Tav’s menu changes daily so be sure to be on the look out for that.

If you do try out this lunch deal, leave a comment below on your experience. Happy eating!

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Life is just a cocktail party in the street – Mick Jagger. So, let’s get sipping!

Nairobi loves cocktails and cocktails love Nairobi.  Which explains why every single bar/lounge is trying to attract the masses with a more than welcoming happy hour deal. The offers usually vary, it’s either a buy one get one free offer or each cocktail at half price, we must admit we love a good happy hour deal. The hours are also extended, because why limit happy to an hour?

ALSO READ: Meatballs 8 Ways (Kenyan Food Bloggers Edition)

If you enjoy sipping Whiskey sours at Brew Bistro Rooftop, News Cafe’s seven deadly sins or Artcaffe’s Spanish Caipiroskas there’s something for everybody at these 9 joints.

Some have better cocktails than others because at the end of the day the mixologist matters. I narrowed the list to Westlands, Nairobi because that’s where I frequent.

Unwinding after a long day at work? Catching up with your girls? Trying to kill time waiting for traffic to subside, it’s never too early for a cocktail.

10. Caramel Lounge

Location: ABC Place Westlands

They have a Happy Hour offer on special drinks, every Monday to Friday from 4pm – 8pm.

Cocktails for Sh500, wine by glass Sh500, local beers Sh250.

9. The Tav Irish Pub & Bistro

Location: The Mirage Waiyaki Way

Their happy hour is daily from 5-8pm. The deal is buy two cocktails and get one free. EABL beers also retail at Sh250.

8. Budhaa Bar Nairobi

Location: Delta Towers, Westlands Nairobi

Their happy hour is from 4 – 7pm and you can enjoy a Classic mojito or a mint Julep at S350 and they have a Saturday deal for cocktails from 4pm-11pm also for Sh350.

7. Tune Sky bar

Location: Tune Hotel Roof top Rhapta Road

Nothing better than cocktails with a view.Their happy hour is from 5:30 – 7:30pm and the offer is buy one of the selected cocktails and get one free. On their local beers the offers is buy 2 and get 1 free. If my memory serves me right their cocktails average Sh600

6. Nyama Mama

Location: Delta Tower Westlands

Their happy hour is also daily from 4-7pm. It’s a 2 for 1 offer on selected cocktails, beers and wines. A mama’s mule cocktails will set you back Sh800, so will a vodka espresso and a charcoal Manhattan is Sh950. You can view the cocktail menu here. 

5. Brew Bistro Rooftop

Location: Fortis Towers Westlands (Woodvale Groove)

Cocktail Happy Hour is from 5-7pm. The offer is buy one cocktail get one free.

  4. Artcaffe Oval/Grand

Location: Westgate and Oval

Their cocktails range from  Sh650 for an Aperol Spritz to Sh950 for an ultimate sour.

The happy hour offer is buy 1 cocktail get one free everyday from 4-7PM.

  3. Newscafe

Location: Sarit Centre, Westlands

Their happy hour is from 5pm-7pm on select cocktails. Classic cocktails that include cosmopolitan, mojito, daiquiri and margarita are Sh400. Their grande cocktails are Sh600.

  1. Sap At The Node

Location: Woodvale Close, Westlands

Definitely one of my best joints to enjoy a cocktail in Nairobi. Their happy hour is errrryday from 4-7pm and includes everything on the menu is Sh400. And the cocktail selections is quite something.

    I would love to hear your views on the cocktail scene in Nairobi in the comment section, which is your absolute favorite cocktail joint and why?

Photos Courtesy.

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Meatball Monday anyone? So here’s a back story of how this series that I’ll be featuring every so often on the blog came about. A couple of weeks ago, I visited my bro’s school and we were discussing what type of meatballs he wants on his next visit. Our conversation went something like….

Brother Dearest: I miss mother’s real food

Me: (Surprised) kwani meatballs aren’t real food?

Brother Dearest: Not really, mum actually makes an effort in cooking

Me: You think meatballs don’t take effort?

Like anyone eating githeri daily with just a dash of beans and some extra protein from all the weevils should have an opinion lol. All he was craving was his mother’s maharagwe ya nazi and biryani which he claims takes time and effort. Long story short, he shall not be enjoying my meatballs anytime soon

Which brings me to this article right here. I read a lot of Kenyan blogs and it’s so interesting trying out all the different recipes they put out. Wondering how to make bomb ass meatballs? You’re spoilt for choice with these recipes, thanks to this top Kenyan food bloggers. P.S the featured image is from yours truly following at Cooking With Jaz recipe with a few personal tweaks here and there.

All photos are copyright of the respective websites unless otherwise stated. Click on each image and it shall redirect you to the recipe. Happy cooking!!!

1. Spicy Meatballs

By Cooking With Jaz

  2. Meatball Tikka Masala

By Kaluhis Kitchen

3. Sweet Chilli Jam Chicken Meatballs

By African Kaya

4. Cheese Stuffed Meatballs

By Sheila Rabala

5. Sticky Lamb Meatballs

By Pendo La Mama

6. Lamb Kofta (Meatball) Curry

By Pika Chakula

7. Teriyaki Meatballs with Grilled Pineapple 

By Kaaris Kitchen

   8. Cheese and Onion Meatballs

By Leotunapika

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Life is just a cocktail party in the street – Mick Jagger. So, let’s get sipping!

Nairobi loves cocktails and cocktails love Nairobi.  Which explains why every single bar/lounge is trying to attract the masses with a more than welcoming happy hour deal. The offers usually vary, it’s either a buy one get one free offer or each cocktail at half price, we must admit we love a good happy hour deal. The hours are also extended, because why limit happy to an hour?

ALSO READ: Meatballs 8 Ways (Kenyan Food Bloggers Edition)

If you enjoy sipping Whiskey sours at Brew Bistro Rooftop, News Cafe’s seven deadly sins or Artcaffe’s Spanish Caipiroskas there’s something for everybody at these 9 joints.

Some have better cocktails than others because at the end of the day the mixologist matters. I narrowed the list to Westlands, Nairobi because that’s where I frequent.

Unwinding after a long day at work? Catching up with your girls? Trying to kill time waiting for traffic to subside, it’s never too early for a cocktail.

10. Caramel Lounge

Location: ABC Place Westlands

They have a Happy Hour offer on special drinks, every Monday to Friday from 4pm – 8pm.

Cocktails for Sh500, wine by glass Sh500, local beers Sh250.

9. The Tav Irish Pub & Bistro

Location: The Mirage Waiyaki Way

Their happy hour is daily from 5-8pm. The deal is buy two cocktails and get one free. EABL beers also retail at Sh250.

8. Budhaa Bar Nairobi

Location: Delta Towers, Westlands Nairobi

Their happy hour is from 4 – 7pm and you can enjoy a Classic mojito or a mint Julep at S350 and they have a Saturday deal for cocktails from 4pm-11pm also for Sh350.

7. Tune Sky bar

Location: Tune Hotel Roof top Rhapta Road

Nothing better than cocktails with a view.Their happy hour is from 5:30 – 7:30pm and the offer is buy one of the selected cocktails and get one free. On their local beers the offers is buy 2 and get 1 free. If my memory serves me right their cocktails average Sh600

6. Nyama Mama

Location: Delta Tower Westlands

Their happy hour is also daily from 4-7pm. It’s a 2 for 1 offer on selected cocktails, beers and wines. A mama’s mule cocktails will set you back Sh800, so will a vodka espresso and a charcoal Manhattan is Sh950. You can view the cocktail menu here. 

5. Brew Bistro Rooftop

Location: Fortis Towers Westlands (Woodvale Groove)

Cocktail Happy Hour is from 5-7pm. The offer is buy one cocktail get one free.

4. Artcaffe Oval/Grand

Location: Westgate and Oval

Their cocktails range from  Sh650 for an Aperol Spritz to Sh950 for an ultimate sour.

The happy hour offer is buy 1 cocktail get one free everyday from 4-7PM.

3. Newscafe

Location: Sarit Centre, Westlands

Their happy hour is from 5pm-7pm on select cocktails. Classic cocktails that include cosmopolitan, mojito, daiquiri and margarita are Sh400. Their grande cocktails are Sh600.

1. Sap At The Node

Location: Woodvale Close, Westlands

Definitely one of my best joints to enjoy a cocktail in Nairobi. Their happy hour is errrryday from 4-7pm and includes everything on the menu is Sh400. And the cocktail selections is quite something.

A white Russian fromSap

  I would love to hear your views on the cocktail scene in Nairobi in the comment section, which is your absolute favorite cocktail joint and why?

Photos Courtesy.