Worth a second visit

I met up with a few friends in the CBD this past Friday. Oh, Nairobi’s middle class and cafes! As if we all got the same memo, it was only around 3pm and yet most places were packed; it’s a wonder we didn’t all show up in the same kitenge! We decided to swing by Charlie’s Bistro, the initial attraction being the tantalising pastry glass display visible from the outside and which, much like the ladies of K Street, seem to know just who to flash smiles at and whisper sweet nothings to in a bid to lure them inside.

This bistro used to be located at South End Mall in Lang’ata which was demolished by NEMA. I never set foot in the old outlet but the new location at the former Nakumatt City Hall on Wabera Street is oh so convenient. It was a full house so we had to wait around for a couple of minutes before mercifully getting a table by the cocktail bar downstairs.

CHIC AND URBAN

The decor in the entire space is rather chic and urban, the main downside being that at the ladies washrooms, if one wanted to check their teeth in the mirror, it would be in full view of some of the patrons because that space didn’t as much as have a ‘pasia’.

If you have no idea what that is, lucky you. The menu has a pizza section (average Sh900) from which we ordered a Mexican chicken pizza with chicken strips slathered in bbq sauce, jalapeno, fresh tomatoes, onion, bell peppers and both mozzarella and cheddar cheese. Per the menu, this was the chef’s recommendation so subliminally, this likely informed our decision.

Being the cliche meat-loving Kenyans that we are, we also got the signature pizza which was laden with meats like salami, chicken, beef, choma sausages and cheddar cheese- it did not disappoint.

ARRAY OF SANDWICHES

There was also an array of sandwiches, salads, specialty noodles like Cantonese chicken/beef noodles, seafood like Spanish cajun fish, Lebanese fish cake and Baiti Portuguese prawns, and more. We ordered plain fries which were really well done but the portion was rather small for Sh200, as well as a sweet caramel milkshake at Sh430 which came served in a carafe. Overall, the food here is pretty good.

I’m currently deliberately not taking alcohol but because fate has a sense of humour, the only table we could get was by the bar. Charlie’s Bistro has really upped the ante for those looking for higher end dining in the CBD.

Watching the mixologists here at work is like being back in a high school chemistry class where, having mastered the periodic table, they dexterously mix up different elements and pour liquids from one beaker into another resulting in tempting colourful rainbow cocktails.

As soon as I start drinking again, my first order of business will be to return to Charlie’s and go ham until NEMA has to come and peel me off the bar stools with a crane like some illegally set up building.