Eating out - Hotel Isimbi

Isimbi is located in the city centre in a busy area on Rue Karisimbi opposite City Radio; it’s a bit hard to find this place as the sign post announcing its existence is very small. As you enter through the main door, there’s a semi-dark room with a dull green-ish carpet and equally dreary chairs,

Sunday, March 27, 2011

Isimbi is located in the city centre in a busy area on Rue Karisimbi opposite City Radio; it’s a bit hard to find this place as the sign post announcing its existence is very small.

As you enter through the main door, there’s a semi-dark room with a dull green-ish carpet and equally dreary chairs, on your right side, lays another dinning room totally different from the one on the left, bright with the floor covered in white tiles and the only thing the two rooms have in common are mini-bar. In front as you enter, you come face to face with a set of steps descending down the basement.

The reception is hidden somewhere on your left.The restaurant opens everyday from 06; 30 to 10pm.it offers breakfast and lunch, a cup of cappuccino goes for Rwf1, 500, African tea, at Rwf1, 000.

At Isimbi most of the food is sourced locally; the buffet goes for Rwf2,000  but the day I was there, the menu besides being brief, it wasn’t impressive at all as there were not an item you couldn’t find anywhere else.

I decided to go for some snacks, braved the worn-out dirty menu card and the table mats that were almost screaming for substitution and ordered ,luckily my ‘Mixed omelet’ (omelet with mushroom onion, green pepper and tomatoes)  arrived but all efforts to get fresh fruit juice was in vain.

Isimbi is a good place to go for a local light meal, a private dinner, table for two or if you want some privacy or are catching up with people you haven't seen for a while.

If your wallet is unsmiling, this is the place to visit as the prices are really pocket friendly.

-the staff; attentive
-the bad points; menu is lacking.
-the good points; the price are on the floor
-The toilet; clean

martin.bishop18@yahoo.com