Alan Bobbe’s Bistro

Its reputation over the years as the premier restaurant in Nairobi has attracted the custom of many international personalities such as Bing Crosby, Pele, Jackie Kennedy, David Lean, Sydney Pollack, Willy Brandt and, more recently, the current President of the United States Barack Obama, when he last visited Kenya as a senator.
www.eatout.co.ke/alanbobbes

La Dolce Vita

Nairobi’s La Dolce Vita Restaurant subscribes to the three Rs that make Italian food great: rustic, robust, and reasonably priced. Located at the Muthaiga Shopping Centre, La Dolce Vita, named after one of the most widely seen and acclaimed European movies of the 1960s, will transport you to Italy.

Le Rustique

Le Rustique is a unique Mediterranean restaurant and art gallery, set in a lovely garden with tables laid out under trees and parasols. On Wednesdays, Le Rustique is open for romantic dinners under the stars: the trees are decked with fairy lights, there is a bonfire and a unique menu featuring a variety of dishes from the Mediterranean and North Africa.
www.eatout.co.ke/lerustique

Tamambo Tapas Bar

The Tamambo Tapas Bar serves a selection of tasty tapas, meals, fine wines and mouthwatering cocktails. Dine outside on the terrace or head for the indoor cocktail lounge with its intimate, cozy ambi- ance. Regular live acts perform on weekend nights, pulling in an appreciative crowd.
www.eatout.co.ke/tapas

The River Cafe

An al fresco restaurant, The River Cafe is known for its all-day brunch and weekly specials. The res- taurant is as unique as it is refreshing – surrounded by exotic birds and beautiful plants and set beside a lily pond, it is a definite must for friends and family.
www.eatout.co.ke/rivercafe

Pango

With its underground wine cellar, romantic ambi- ance, quality service, classy food presentation and excellent taste, Pango is in a class of its own. If you’re looking for a restaurant to celebrate a special occasion, Pango is the perfect choice.
www.eatout.co.ke/pango

(All of the above can be booked online or call 0713 328 688.)

Most people get their wine recommenda- tions from either reading reviews or asking a friend. Or if they are really lucky, the number of a good sommelier is always close at hand.

As vineyard manager James Farquharson will tell you, growing and making wine in Kenya is both challenging and rewarding. He moved to Kenya with his family in 2007 to run the Rift Valley Winery on Morendat Farm inside the eastern edge of the Great Rift Valley. The farm’s 1,900m-altitude makes for some interesting climatic phenomena.

Pairing cheese and wine can be intimidating, but really, it’s all about experimenting. There are no set rules, only guidelines. I wanted to share a few with you to make it a little easier when you decide to serve cheese at your next dinner party.

The Beer Drinker’s Guide To Wine