Inside Nairobi

I've been here a few times to buy anything from supplements to diabetic chocolate. More often than not thought I have come here and not found what I am looking for. They have a particular low carb liquorice one week, but not the next. But maybe I am too hard on this place. After all, it seems to be one of the more reliable health shops.

OK, it mights seem odd that I give four stars to a forest that it is highly recommended NOT to enter. The thing is though, if you do run with some security in this forest, it is such a wonderful place. The British Army organizes runs on Thursdays at 17:15ish by the Shell/BP clubhouse in a 9 km circuit. Rangers are placed in several locations on the trail. I've done it three times now, and I feel safe. Ahh. Imagine what a place this could be if people could walk and run freely every day.

I like this restaurant. It is down to earth - maybe a bit pricey, but the food is consistently good. Service is always quick and attentive. I usually go for Indian, but I have friends who are quite happy with the Western dishes. Booking could be advisable Friday or Saturday night if arriving late, but apart from these times it is easy to get a table.

Always a pleasant encounter. A small museum and gallery, perfect for a Saturday outing with lunch in the garden cafe.

Not all the exhibitions are hits, but hey, this is the best art space as far as I know.

Recommended!

I usually find what I am looking for in this pharmacy. Saturdays is a bit of a pain with the hordes coming in to Village Market, but other days the service is mostly quick. Another surprise - the Village Market pharmacy is very competitively priced. Nicorette for example (a friend of mine is an overconsumer) has a slightly lower price at Belladonna than the Warwick, Westgate and Sarit pharmacies - as well as a few random ones in town. Sometimes they ask for prescription for what needs a prescription (couldn't get a single Valium for a long haul flight without prescription), other times you'll get what you want (like Retin-A which I think requires prescription).

Best in town. This feels like a real multiplex. Six screens, not all of them fabulous, but decent. I think 4 is the best one. Seats are comfortable. The sound system is good to me (a friend of mine complained that it is not state of the art, but I find some of those too overdone anyway). Other pluses: always easy parking and food court one floor down. The only minus is the movie selection (okay, its pretty important). What is wrong with the Kenyan distributors? Why can they never get the best of Hollywood and foreign films?

This is actually a worthwhile place to go. Not exactly contemporary (very old school inside and outside), the food is surprisingly good. The menu is like a decent French country restaurant with a British and Kenyan flair. Service is friendly, but reserved. Friends of mine told me that they would not recommend driving in the evening because of security. I've done it a few times, and felt fine about it. To get there you take Limuru road until the Tigoni shopping area. Then you take right. Continue until you have Kentmere on your right side. Call for directions. First time we were there we paid a small amount for Guest membership - the following two times we were not asked to do so.

This place is a find. A real French bakery and patisserie that opens at 7 am - the way it should be. Perfect croissants, pain au raisin, baguettes, +. This is not the American/Kenyan so called pastry you get at Java or Dormans. The French lady and/or her son will be there to guide you through what is on offer. A few tables outside for a light snack - including wonderful sandwiches. A pity they do not deliver.

I do not know why I think this place is not all that. Maybe it is because the service is often slow and somewhat annoying, or because I once got pretty sick after eating a salad here. The place is busy though, which is sometimes a reason to go here for a late snack and a beer after 9 pm on a weekday. The food is supposed to be Latin, but it has a East European canteen combined with Kenyan bland feel to it. Not that it is horrible, but it is nothing special. The chocolate dessert is extremely heavy - quite good to share. Live music a plus.

I can highly recommend the place for Sunday brunch. Their egg benedict with bacon and sausage breakfast is neat. The menu has some items you should avoid though, such as the burger. I do not know what the issue is: is still have not had a really decent burger in Nairobi, and I've tried at least eight places. The potato skins with chili mayo they serve as an appetizer -- free of charge :-) -- are incredibly tasty. Ask for some if you are not getting any! The fruit juices are quite nice, but they add extra sugar which is sooo unnecessary. Most of the small starter dishes are good. Philly sandwich is decent. Wifi (when it works...). Get a table by the dam. In the deli you can pick up some decent meat from a butcher in Lavington.