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123 Josiah Chinamano
Cnr of 4th Street
Harare
707522/7
730924

Emmanuel’s – Very Fine Dining Indeed! 2011
Those of us addicted to DSTV’s Lifestyle Channel have done a lot of metaphorical Fine Dining.  We know all about portion size and presentation, blending of flavours, the search for perfect and fresh ingredients, meticulous attention to detail and flawless service.  And in Harare we are fortunate now to have several restaurants that justify that lofty title - Emmanuel’s being the newest. 

When booking my table for lunch I wondered if, in deference to the “fine dining experience” I should break with my present habit of mid-day eating and book for dinner.  Visions of dimmed lighting, flickering candles and a long lingering dinner not to mention a wonderfully handsome dining companion flashed before my eyes!

Returning to reality I opted for lunch, on arrival I was impressed by the attentive and cheerful guard when I parked at Emmanuel’s entrance on Josiah Chinamano Avenue.  Walking through the beautifully tended garden and entering the restaurant to be greeted by another welcoming soul continued this experience.   Being a winter day I chose to eat inside though diners braver then me ate in the pavilion outside.  The restaurant is sensitively designed, corners and pillars giving privacy and a library (with titles like DeValera, Nancy Astor, Churchill – you get the drift!) adding just the right atmosphere.  The quality of the table linen was stunning and each table was perfectly set – particularly notable was the use of proper water glasses as opposed to the usual wine glass filled with water.      

The Lunch menu is a truncated version of the Dinner one but is more than adequate and beautifully presented with detailed descriptions of each dish to guide diners.  The Wine List was not overpowering and featured a selection of well chosen wines very similar to that offered by Harare’s august cellar, “The Stables”.   I thought prices were high (around double retail prices, our bottle of Diemersdal Sauvignon Blanc was $22) but then maybe I have been spoiled by the excellent and very reasonably priced wine list at Meikles “La Fontaine” Restaurant.

On sitting at our table our napkins were very correctly spread for us and a selection of breads – tomato, cheese or brown – offered.  A particularly impressive section of the menu is “First Course or Light Bites” which offers dishes such as “Fillet of Beef, Port and Stilton” in starter and main course portion sizes – my companion chose this as her Main Course and it was more than ample as part of a multi-course meal.  Our first course choice was “Chicken Liver Parfait” ($6 - a very light pâté with subtle flavours) which arrived with melba toast beautifully presented in a water lily basket made from a napkin and “Beignet Soufflé” ($5 - choux pastry fritter flavoured with parmesan cheese, cayenne pepper and spring onion).   I’ve already mentioned my companions’ Fillet of Beef ($14), I selected “Slow Roast Shoulder of Lamb” ($21) for my main course and it was as described on the menu - Tender Lamb off the bone, served with Minted Champ Potatoes and Gravy.  Both main courses were served with a selection of beautifully cooked vegetables (including potato bake and roast potatoes with not a chip in sight!) and correctly so, by the waiter at the table. 

Unusually for me, I proceeded to desserts (all of which were reasonably priced at $5) and chose “Brandy Snap Tuile”, my companion joined me with “Banana crème brûlée” and finally of course, coffee.

I do have a few minor niggles about my dining experience - none of the staff had name badges, no management checked on our satisfaction, the plate on which my vegetables were served was cold, and worst of all, having ordered coffee and dessert at the same time the coffee was served before the dessert.  A nice “fine dining touch” would have been to serve some treat like petits fours or after dinner mints with the coffee.

I look forward to returning to Emmanuel’s for “that special dinner”, there is a more extensive, exotic and higher priced menu (I would love to treat myself to Roast Monkfish at $28).  I am sure the restaurant looks fantastic and the ambience as well as the crystal sparkles in the evening.  However those wanting an initial experience would do well to visit for lunch when prices are really reasonable for a very fine dining experience!  
Deluxe Restaurant
5 Plates
Expect to spend between US$30 and US$50 per head for Lunch, more for Dinner
The Brontë Hotel, 132 Baines Avenue, Harare
Open for Lunch Monday to Friday and Dinner Monday to Saturday