This archive report was first published on 4 July 2020.
On a typical Wednesday in Nairobi, the high-end restaurants in the city are usually bustling with activity. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic still prevalent, the scene is quite different. Restaurants like Lucca in Villa Rosa Kempinski and Hemingways Nairobi are reopening their doors to customers, but with a twist.
Upon entering these restaurants, customers are greeted by masked staff members who are following the new COVID-19 protocols. The tables are spaced far apart, and the staff are equipped with hand sanitizer and face masks. The atmosphere is still luxurious, but with a sense of caution.
According to Richard Kimenyi, the general manager of Hemingways Nairobi, the restaurant has implemented new measures to ensure a safe dining experience for their customers. These measures include sanitizing the restaurant counters and furniture constantly, removing buffets, and limiting the number of guests per table.
"We will not be serving buffets, including during the very popular Sunday brunch, but we have put together an à la carte tasting menu," says Kimenyi. The tasting menu allows customers to select multiple dishes from the menu at a pre-set price, ensuring that the food is prepared on order and minimizing the risk of food contamination.
Other high-end restaurants in Nairobi are also reopening with similar measures in place. Chef Manoj Aswal, the executive chef at Villa Rosa Kempinski, emphasizes that these restaurants are not switching to a casual dining concept, but rather offering luxury at affordable prices in a safe and clean environment.
As the city slowly returns to normal, these high-end restaurants are wooing local diners with their new measures and affordable prices. Whether it's a romantic dinner or a business meeting, these restaurants are ready to provide a luxurious and safe dining experience for their customers.
