Hakkasan Restaurant, Dubai

One of the most amazing Chinese restaurants I have had the pleasure to dine at.

For those of you that haven't had the pleasure, allow me to introduce it to you. Hakkasan is an up market Chinese restaurant located in Emirates Boulevard, Dubai. From the minute I stepped in I loved it. The décor, the ambience....amazing. We were met at the door, and since we had reservations, they asked us if we wanted to proceed to our table immediately or have a drink at the bar. We chose to go to our table.

We were given our menus by the host and given time to peruse them. Our waiter, then came and introduced himself before disappearing and allowing us time to go through the extensive menu, and extensive it is....if you're a first timer there, the sheer number of meal choices available is a tad intimidating to say the least. However, the waiter is always willing to recommend something.
We settled on 2 starters and 2 main courses. They're sharing meals so the portions are more than enough. For our starters, we had the dim sum platter(I hope that's what it's called) and the jasmine tea smoked beef ribs. They were absolutely delicious. Melt in your mouth, lick your lips delicious.

For the main, we had the spicy chicken and the Chilean sea bass, along with vegetable fried rice.We favored the sea bass more than the chicken. I don't know if it was because we over ate the starters but as good as the main courses were, they could not compare to the starters.

The service is spectacular. The waiter felt like our very own personal waiter because he was always on hand for our requests, occasionally checking in on us with some banter but careful not to overdo it.

 Unfortunately, we were too full to sample the desserts. Like really, I literally had a hard time getting up. That's what happens when food is that good. The company also helped a lot;-)

For those who are interested, the meal will cost you upwards of aed500 for two people.

Definitely going back...going back today actually. That good people.

Lol...Went back...for my very good friend Sheila's farewell dinner.

All the best darling...xoxoxo

Disgusting!!!...Protea Hotel, Umhalanga Ridge. Durban,South Africa

So I was staying at this Protea Hotel in Durban....lovely surroundings. That is the only positive thing I have to say about this hotel.
 I was pretty tired when I got there, so I ordered some room service. South Africa is known for its fantastic steaks....so naturally, this is what I ordered.

Quarter-way through my meal...I notice not one...but two hair strands. I wanted to throw up.

I called them and informed them of what I had found. What did they say??? "Oh ma'am..mushroom sauce always has strands, so that must be it." wtf!!!really???? I was absolutely livid....livid.

Suffice to say....after their "investigations", it was deemed to indeed be a human beings hair strand......fantastic!!!!

The Nandos by the hotel became my joint after that.

 

Rhapsody....Update!!!

Hi guys,

So I went back to Rhapsody....yes just to take more pics...but more importantly to order the meal I had previously wanted and didn't get. The seafood espetada.

I have to say, it was horribly bland and chewy and I thank Sexy for having brought the wrong order the first time round. The calamari was a tad chewy and the fish had no flavor to speak off. The prawns were the only saving grace.
I have to say for the prices they charge...I was very disappointed. One espetada  goes for around 6500 naira if i'm not wrong, which would be about $41. I have to point out that in my country...I could go to the same level café and get more for my money. I will have to say though, that maybe it was a one off..as you remember, the last time I was there I loved the food.
I will give them the benefit of doubt.

Osteria - Karen, Nairobi

Osteria

Osteria in Karen is a place I had always wanted to give a try. Being a fan of the one located on Lenana road and having visited the village market one, when the invite came, I was in it. I have heard mixed reviews about it but wanted to know for myself.

Walking in to Osteria,I already felt good. Its one huge garden with seating by the pool. I think its simplicity is part of its appeal. It just feels laidback. I am sure this is popular with families. It makes you just feel like you're at home in your backyard.
 The waiter approached us as we walked in. He greeted us like we had been there before. Very friendly guy. Showed us to our seats and left to get the menus.

As usual, it seems like I was the only one eating, as my lunch mate decided he was now full (eyes rolling). I ordered the fish and the house wine. Really, the wine list I was offered was only selling by the bottle. Seeing as I am trying to control my drink portions, I opted for wine by the glass.No name was given. I was just asked red or white....ofcourse I said Rose. He repeated red or white...I repeated Rose. Took me a minute to realize that wasn't going to happen...so white it was.

While we....I...waited for my meal ,they brought the bread. Its really yummy....I love it. However, portion is large so if you're alone or just two...be careful as it might fill you up too much, leaving no space for the actual meal.

My meal finally came. I had ordered the grilled red snapper with grilled vegetables. Once again, portions are huge, so go prepared. The fish was really good. Nice and moist. Cooked just perfect. The veggies however, there was just something I didn't like about them. Don't get me wrong, they didn't taste bad...just...I think they could have done better. They tasted more char grilled...emphasis on the char....than grilled.

 

 

It was a lot. So a doggie bag it was, to finish at home.
Osteria is a nice place to go and just relax with your friends. So I would recommend it for a nice Sunday afternoon with the family.
 

Rhapsody's - Lagos, Nigeria

If you ever plan to be in Lagos, this is one place to check out. Rhapsody is your trendy wine bar cum restaurant chill out place. It is in Ikeja City Mall. Once you get in, you get a sense of it being modern, sophisticated but simple and clean. All the seats are white leather  with wooden tables, very nice. There is a smoking and non smoking section inside (You can choose to also seat outside.), we opted to go inside as it is quite hot in Lagos and the air conditioned space seemed more welcome.

By the entrance is a display of wine and I already feel at home :-) . There is a bar in the middle for y'all drinkers, with a large selection of drinks...and tables on the side for the diners.

 

We are seated and the waitress....whose name is.....wait for it....Sexy!!for real!!!her name badge said Sexy....*eyes rolling!! Well Sexy gave us our menus and gave us some time to go through them. The interesting thing about the menu is that most of the food items were paired with a wine. If you're a wine lover this is fantastic as you get to taste and experience different wines and combinations of wines.
I ordered the seafood espetada, no wine:-( and my friend who decided he wasn't hungry ordered the deep fried calamari. So I see Sexy write my order and even nod that she has it and go the kitchen to deliver the order. What came to my table though was a chicken espetada. I ask Sexy if she confused my order and she says no that's what I ordered. She then opens the notepad and realizes that she has made a mistake. She then takes the time to try to convince me to stay with this order and not return the food. Mennnnnn!!she was lucky I did not have the time to wait for a new order...so reluctantly I agree.
So I was mad and even forgot to take a pic of the food. This is the point at which I remembered.
Sorry guys.....I didn't want the chicken..but clearly it was really good. It was flavorful, cooked just right and made you want to order another plate. Yum!!

 

I then noticed that there was a lady over on one of the other tables who had the same order as I did...so with as much zooming as I could do....this is it. The  presentation of the food is amazing. Makes your mouth water just looking at it.

So I would definitely give it a 8....food is good, ambience is good, staff are friendly...yes even though Sexy clearly didn't get my order right. The manager goes round speaking to the customers and ensuring they are fine, so it keeps the waiters on their toes. The only thing is..if you ever happen to visit...it is a bit on the pricey side..be well prepared.