Meat-lovers haven

The carnivore is well-known as an entertainment joint for events, concerts and clubbing under various musical themes.

It is almost a Kenyan institution, since often local residents bring their tourist guests here to try a variety of bush meat. As a young child, we often came here for Sunday lunch. 

This time I was the adult taking my own child. Along with my partner we arrived on a Sunday afternoon and the waiters showed us through the restaurant into the outdoor play area.

It was packed with kids – the variety of play items offered makes it highly engaging for children. Sandpits dotted the large fenced garden and the kids squealed in delight when they sighted the climbing frame, monkey bars, swings, tunnel slide and giant toy car.

A couple manned a popular stand administering fake tattoos to slightly older kids, and a clown in his full costume ran in hot pursuit of some youngsters who had swiped his curly green wig.

Three members of staff are dedicated to caring for the children so parents can pretty much ignore their offspring and enjoy the food. We found a table in the corner of the play area and eventually a waiter located us. 

PRINTED MENU

He greeted us politely and offered us drinks. Our exchange went something like this: “What would you like to drink?” “What do you have?” “We have juices, spirits, tea…” “Are they listed on the menu?” “No.”  I ordered some water and a cocktail for my partner.

I wonder how much trouble it is to print out a list of drinks on the menu, as opposed to having waiters rattle off choices from the tops of their heads. Most waiters will not list all the choices anyway so this is something the management should consider.

Carnivore meat platter for two, and for the little one we ordered fish and chips. They have an impressive selection of real food on their kids’ menu and the prices are quite fair.

Fillet steak (half portion) and chips was one that caught my eye, as well as bangers and mash, all for the kids. Our little one asked for fish fingers and chips. The portion was good, for kids with larger appetites. No complaints there at all.

We specified to our waiter that we wanted our meat “medium-well done.” I specified that we did not want it hard or burnt, but we definitely did not want to see any pink. He brought the platter with its accompanying roast potatoes, and a side of perfectly crunchy fresh vegetables.

The meat was tasty but unfortunately a quarter of the various cuts on our platter were undercooked by our specifications. Too many cuts were pink and oozed liquid when we cut them.

Otherwise the meal was good, and the desserts were the same classics I remembered from my childhood.

The prices are fair and our bill came to the region of Sh2,500. Overall we would go back again.