Atelier du Vin, a popular venue known for its fusion of music and culinary delights, hosted a Valentine's Day event on Wednesday, February 14.
The evening, which featured performances by singers Mike Kayihura and Kivumbi King, as well as two bands, Milly’s Band and The Target Band, drew a full house of enthusiastic guests.
The event, organised by Belgian chefs, kicked off around 8:30 p.m., with guests arriving as early as 7 p.m. Despite the rainy weather outside, attendees of all ages, including couples, families, and friends, gathered indoors to enjoy a night of fine dining and live music.
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The menu featured a variety of dishes, including attieke, a traditional West African dish made from fermented cassava pulp. Served with shrimp, cassava couscous, and mixed vegetables, attieke offers "a flavorful and satisfying aftermath.”
Guests also enjoyed a salad composed of beetroot, avocado, and red bell pepper cream, as well as sorbets made from beetroot, orange, and pineapple.
For the main course, attendees were treated to a choice between chicken with butternut, mushroom, and cherry tomatoes, or captain fish accompanied by butternut, mixed vegetables, and a savory mushroom risotto sauce. Dessert options included chocolate crème, fruit salad with passion coulis, and various add-ons to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Additionally, a vegetarian option was available, featuring a starter of attieke cassava couscous with mixed vegetables and mizuzu salad. For the main course, guests could enjoy mushroom risotto, followed by a fruit salad dessert with passion coulis and additional toppings.
Ariella Queen Kayitare, one of the attendees, expressed her excitement about the event, she said: "My boyfriend and I discovered this event and immediately reserved a table. Despite the chilly, rainy weather outside, the indoor atmosphere was warm and inviting. I particularly enjoyed the delicious food, especially the dessert cake paired with wine. The performance by Kivumbi was also a highlight of the evening for me."
Milly’s Band kicked off the evening with renditions of love songs, setting "the romantic tone” until 9:28 PM when Mike Kayihura took the stage alongside the Target Band. Together, they delivered a live performance featuring Kayihura's viral hits such as "Jaribu," "Anytime," and "Tuza," along with renditions of classic love songs.
At 10:20 PM, Kivumbi King joined the stage to perform with Mike Kayihura 'Wait.' The audience eagerly joined in, reflecting the song's popularity, which has garnered over 1.5 million views online since it debuted on January 15.
At 10:25 PM, Kivumbi then took the stage solo, backed by the same band. His performance of 'Oya,' 'Madam,' and 'Maso y’Inyana' deeply resonated with the audience. And when he performed his latest track 'Wait,' released on January 15, and currently boasting over 1.4 million views, the audience sang along.
Sharing his experience, Danny Okasha, visiting from Nigeria, expressed, "I came here with my family as we were seeking a spot to hang out. Despite being single, witnessing the joy of love around me, especially among those close to me, brought a sense of happiness."