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Cresta Oasis Hotel
Nelson Mandela Avenue
Harare
04 790861

Cresta Oasis Hotel, Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare 2011

After the usual 'What drinks have you got?' ritual which still lingers on taught to us by the decade of nothing, and probably a frustrating question to waiters now when availability has tremendously improved, we ordered a tropical juice, which came beautifully chilled, fresh and quenching.  We were immediately advised by our very attentive and helpful waiter Tapiwa that Cafe Afrique offers a buffet service, although we could order à la carte if we so wished.  Not having sampled the restaurant's special area of expertise, we thought the buffet would give us a wider understanding of their capabilities.  So we went for it. 

The buffet, with both hot and cold starters, looked quite ordinary, with the usual, cold meat strips, salads and soups for starters as well as rice, sadza and potatoes for starch and both white and red meat for protein.  Since the restaurant has set out to achieve an African appeal and specialisation, we did not feel that it did enough to claim this specialty tag.  It was refreshing however to see Sorghum Sadza after so many years.  In fact the last time I last had this brown clean starch was when my grand-mother was alive and she used to prepare it with the correct accompaniments of either vegetables or biltong in peanut butter (Chimukuyu chine dovi).  Let her soul rest in peace.  At Café Afrique, I did not pick it, as I could not see any of those said appropriate accompaniments.  But perhaps this was the only item on the menu that to me had a truly 'Afrique' feel.  The chicken stew in the usual Royco Usavi mix, the roast beef and the Nyanga trout in gravy seemed very ordinary hotel restaurant buffet items.  Nothing that encouraged a 'Wow'!. 

The dessert table was also rather ordinary, with the usual cake, fruit salad and tart this or tart that.  My chocoholic companion knew what to do and as long as anything has a chocolate tint, she never complains.  I had a fruit salad and as I was filling up my bowl, heard two ladies complaining that the way the fruit had been cut was very uneven and unattractive, as if the preparer had used their bare hands to break the fruit into pieces  (verbatim!). 

Café Afrique was pleasant and met good standards, and with a 78% score, has attained a healthy 3 Plate Rating, but needs to do more to claim the African speciality tag - currently, it is more of a good, general, hotel restaurant.
Speciality Restaurant (African theme)
3 Plates
Expect to spend $20 to $25 per head
Cresta Oasis Hotel, Nelson Mandela Ave, Harare