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Hotel Mercure A'Zambezi
308 Parkway Drive
Victoria Falls
44561, 445836, 952799, 43538

Amulonga, a’ Zambezi River Lodge, could do better 2011
The first thing you notice at the a’ Zambezi River Lodge are the very impressive new renovations.  Arriving during the evening we immediately noted that the new entrance is a very nice upgrade.  A backlit, model of a Victoria Falls waterfall cascades over the rocks, and the entrance is a thatch walkway, with huge pole pillars, that straddles the pond.  Inside, the new lounge areas, teak decking and impressive gardens are all a vast improvement on the previous incarnation.

We had booked for dinner; and unfortunately, this turned out to be a buffet.  I say unfortunately, because I feel that a buffet doesn’t really give a restaurant the opportunity to show off all its culinary skills.  The buffet is much favoured by many hotel restaurants, it seems, and my view is that on the whole, and with noted exceptions that incorporate other entertainments and elements to enhance the dining experience, they are often not doing themselves proper justice by preferring this model for feeding their clientèle and other visiting diners. Anyway - it was a lovely evening, so we sat down with a view to enjoying ourselves.  I had had a very good dining experience at the Amulonga last year, and with the new upgrade I was still expecting a great dinner, regardless of the buffet style of it.  Unfortunate to report, though, it seems that the cuisine is an area that didn’t receive the same level of upgrade as the other infrastructure.  Our dinner was acceptable but not particularly noteworthy.

Our waiter was very friendly and took great pride to emphasise that there was indeed cucumber amongst the starters.  I tried the soup - cheese and moringa.  Moringa is a local tree, the leaves of which are used as a vegetable.  This sounded very exciting, but unfortunately it was rather tasteless and floury.  There were no bread rolls either, although the balls of margarine were waiting expectantly.

The main fare was chicken drumsticks, lasagne, stew, rice and potatoes, and a lovely leg of roast beef which beckoned me enticingly.  I asked for, and was cut, a beautiful medium rare slice.  But to my horror, the chef slapped this slice on the grill, ladled a huge dollop of oil over it, and proceeded to fry it!  He presented it on my plate with such a pleasant smile, I didn’t have the heart to say a thing in protest.  The pudding section was quite well displayed, with crème caramel portions and chocolate mousse.  But I couldn’t help noticing the display arrangements between the dishes of vegetables, still in their supermarket packaging of styrofoam and cling wrap.

I would describe my dining experience as Lost in Translation – with something of a failure to meet in full, the sort of expectations visiting tourists to the Falls are likely to have, of service and food in a hotel of this high calibre.  It was certainly clear that the staff were doing the very best that they could, and were very keen and eager to please, so perhaps this all boils down to the need for really close attention to training.  The vast majority of tourists visiting the Falls are from places like Europe, America, Australia.  They of course like to experience local culture and cuisine, but they also want to visit Vic Falls in a way that is familiar to them, in terms of international standards of service, cuisine, and so on.  If not impressed, they will vote with their feet, and not come back.  The whole world is easily accessible these days, and people need to be impressed in order to come back or encourage their friends to visit us.  These things are so very easily solved through excellent staff training.  Amulonga, with just a bit more attention to meeting international expectations, could get a higher score than their Three Plates – because the motivation and will to please clientèle is clearly evident in the staff with whom we interfaced – but more imagination and finesse needs to be applied to the finer details and to the cuisine itself.
Family Restaurant
3 Plates
Expect to spend $10 to $30 per head
A’Zambezi River Lodge, Victoria Falls

 

 

Amulonga at A’Zambezi Hotel excellent - and great value too. 2010
The A’ Zambezi Hotel has one of the very best locations in Victoria Falls, but has not necessarily enjoyed a reputation for outstanding cuisine in the past, rather, one's expectations would have been for average hotel fare.  Having not eaten here in quite a while, I wasn't really sure what to expect and simply endeavoured to keep an open mind.  I am delighted to report that if had I expected average food, I would have been completely wrong!  Our dining experience was excellent, and great value for money.  With their new GM, and very extensive and impressive renovations and modernisation, this hotel is set to make a huge and well deserved impact in Victoria Falls!

Things started well when I made my booking on the phone, which was done very efficiently.  We arrived a bit early, so the staff were not quite ready, but the trainee waitress did her best to settle us down, and delivered some beautifully cold Gin and Tonics (with proper tonic).

The location of the A’ Zambezi Hotel is really stunning, being the only hotel on the Zimbabwe side of the Falls built right on the banks of the Zambezi River. The Amulonga Restaurant is towards the front of the hotel and from your table one can gaze at the beautiful Zambezi, through the palms and riverine trees of the riverbank. The mozzies were quick to find us, but our request for any form of repellent was met with a quick delivery of little bottles of citronella lotion for all of us.

We ordered Butternut and Tomato Soup, and Grilled cheese salad to start. The soup was delicious, beautifully presented, with each type poured carefully into one bowl so they remained separate.  My grilled cheese salad was excellent, presented in a small iceberg lettuce bowl, with grilled bacon and sundried tomatoes.  For mains my wife ordered ribs, the kids tried the warthog and I had a sirloin steak. The ribs were fine, and served with lovely fresh vegetables, the warthog was served with raisin rice, which was a nice change from the ubiquitous fries.  My sirloin was one of the best I’ve had in years. I ordered medium rare, and the chef did it to perfection. With a light garlic sauce it was excellent.

At this point we noticed that a French tourist couple was seated behind us.  This is not unusual, but what was unusual was our waiter was explaining the menu to them, in French!  Enter Anthony Shumba.  What a wonderful and refreshing surprise to see a fellow Zimbabwean perform so well.  He was an excellent and confident waiter throughout the service and his ability to speak French certainly impressed me.  Bravo that Man!

Later in the service we were entertained by the usual marimba band.  I personally love the sound, it’s a part of life in Vic Falls!  Once it was really dark, a massive bonfire was lit in the fire pit in the centre of the dining area, and I noticed many guests got up from their tables and sat around the fire with their coffees.  The music and ambience created a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere.

The prices for the food and drink were very reasonable - especially in Vic Falls where people tend to lose their heads when pricing a menu.  Starters ranged from $5-7, mains from $10-15 and desserts $5-10.  Overall, my impression was one of great and very pleasant surprise, and I am ashamed that to some extent I had judged this book before I read it, not having quite expected such a very high standard!  

I certainly hope that the A’ Zambezi goes from strength to strength, and I can see the Amulonga leading the way.  I will recommend the Hotel to any visitor and certainly encourage the residents of Vic Falls to experience the wonderful service and food at the Amulonga.
Family Restaurant
5 Plates
Expect to spend $10 to $30 per head

Amulonga restaurant at A’Zambezi Vic Falls 2009
We arrived early at Amulonga, as we thought we would have a relaxing sundowner before dinner. The A’Zambezi Hotel is situated in one of the finest spots in Victoria Falls. The swimming pool and restaurant are on the banks of the Zambezi, shaded by wonderful riverine trees.  The river is always a relaxing and wonderful spectacle, especially with the evening light playing on the movement of the water.

Our arrival coincided with the return of the sunset cruise boats, and music filled the quiet evening air as a marimba band boisterously welcoming the guests back to land.  We moved into the restaurant as it opened, at 7 pm, and studied the A la Carte menu which was brought promptly, as were our first drinks.  The menu is small and simple, but certainly covers all requirements, including vegetarian.  The waiter kindly brought the terrace menu for our children, in case the rather more adult restaurant menu did not appeal so much to the youngsters. 

We ordered the Soup of the Day, Leek and Potato, to start, together with a fish cocktail.  Both arrived quickly and were very acceptable.  The soup portion was rather small, but there were plenty of rolls and butter accompanying it.  The fish was made from bream and was served in the traditional fashion with a seafood cocktail on greens, however, the greens were cabbage, not lettuce.

The marimba band moved directly from the river’s edge to the open area in front of the restaurant, and their playing did not cease from the moment we arrived for our sundowners and dinner.  Although the band and the dancers are well-rehearsed and excellent, we found it a little overwhelming to be surrounded by constant loud sound.  It would have been lovely to have had some silence now and again, to relax and enjoy the beautiful surrounds, with some quiet conversation.  This is a frequently heard comment in the Falls tourist areas.  The hotels generously entertain their guests with local musicians and dance groups, which in itself is a good idea.  However, perhaps this entertainment could be staggered over a few short sessions during the course of the meals, leaving the tourists and other diners some quieter moments for reflection and conversation.

One of our children received the incorrect meal, which was duly sent back.  At this time, after completing our starters, we were informed that there were no lamb chops, my chosen meal from the menu, but I could instead have pork, which had not been on the menu, and was not to my fancy.  The other items that had attracted me on the menu were beef steak and fish.  Having already had fish as a starter, I asked what cuts of beef were available, and was informed, topside. I suggested the waiter check on this, as topside would be an unusual and potentially tough option as a steak.  The waiter returned efficiently to advise that it was definitely topside, so I declined and ordered the fish.

Both main courses were served with options of starches and vegetables, and the portions were good and the meals tasty.  The fish was served with lemon butter and the mixed kebabs were spiced with oriental flavours.

We decided against dessert and coffee, as it was getting rather late.  The hotel has a new concept for the pricing of wine.  They simply charge one standard price for local, and one price for imported.  I think it is a novel idea and the prices were fair.  The wine list was descriptive, but there were abbreviations of the Estate names, which could be confusing for guests.  The menu itself was not in a good state, with the typed sheets being quite scrunched up and folded.

The decor is appropriate and the atmosphere, apart from what we felt to be rather too-constant noise from the singing and dancing group, pleasant.  There is a lovely firepit in front of the open air restaurant, with a large, well-tended fire.  Our waiter was very attentive, possibly overly so at times, and very helpful and polite. However, his uniform was unkempt and he seemed to be under-trained and consequently, rather uncertain.  Although the hotel itself seemed well-maintained and clean, I’d suggest that the kitchen and waiting staff could do with some additional training, which might then turn dining at Amulonga into a more outstanding and memorable experience.
Family Restaurant
2 Plates
Expect to spend $25 to $40 per head

 

A fine dinner, great entertainment, at Amulonga 2008
The A’Zambezi Hotel in Victoria Falls must have one of the best settings for a hotel in the town. It is built along the banks of the Zambezi River, with magnificent riverine trees shading the lawns. The restaurant is well located and designed overlooking the river on the one side, and wrapped around a firepit on the other.

Despite it having been a winters evening, and the restaurant being open aired, it was not at all uncomfortable. We were warmly welcomed by the restaurant staff at the firepit and escorted to our table. The waiters had chosen a table for us on the edge of what was to become the stage for that evening’s entertainment, so that our children would have a good view.

The decor is very much in keeping with the location. It is decorated in an African bush style, with a riverside edge to it. Crocodiles are used quite frequently in the theme, extending to the chef’s choice of bread decoration. The only criticism I would have is that the basket style lights trap the light to the extent that it was difficult to read the wine menu.

Fortunately, there was a buffet dinner being served, so no further reading was required. Our drinks arrived promptly, and the wine was well chilled. There was not a vast choice of wine, however, they had implemented a very simple pricing system of one price for imported wines and one price for local wines. It facilitated us choosing a very nice South African wine at a reasonable price.

The starters consisted of a tomato soup, which was tasty if not overwhelming and an array of salads that were passable but not exciting. The bread selection, rolls and croutons, was fresh and plentiful.
There was a fine collection of main course on the buffet. Two very cheerful and helpful chefs cooked chicken pieces, stir fried beef and calamari, as well as some very tasty and tender crocodile tail. There was a lovely selection of steamed vegetables and sauces. This was accompanied by rice and a very interesting pasta dish. There was certainly plenty to choose from and the food was well prepared and presented.

Sadly, the desserts did not match the quality and variety of the main course. They desperately need updating. On offer was a rather dry Madeira style cake, some heavy pastries and a fruit salad, served with custard. The display was attractive though and an effort had certainly been made with the use of some well carved watermelons.

The highlight of the evening was the entertainment. The local group of dancers and traditional singers were energetic, enthusiastic and very entertaining. They sweetly included our children towards the end of their act bringing them into their group to dance and wear some pieces of their costumes. One of the guests was celebrating her Birthday so the waiters joined the dance/song group in singing a wonderful rendition of Happy Birthday. The atmosphere down near the river with the fire flickering in the background, certainly made up for any shortcomings with the starters and desserts. All in all it was a memorable evening.
Family Restaurant
4 Plates