Eatingout: Kigali does Mexican

La Fiesta is Kigali’s one and only Mexican restaurant La Fiesta, meaning ‘party’, promises right from its brightly coloured gates to deliver. Located in Kimihurura, the large compound boasts a wide variety of entertainments: volleyball, basketball, billiards, darts, and children’s amusement. There’s even a swimming pool. With 11 channels of GTV you can also be sure to catch those crucial football matches here. Originally opened by a Salvadorian-American who trained the chef, in October 2007 Le Fiesta was taken over by Thomas Williams from Washington D.C. “Our aim is to create somewhere affordable and casual,” Williams explained. The bamboo terrace has great view of the city making this a great place to kick back and relax. And despite being action packed, soft music gives the place a romantic air. The décor is simple but marks ought to be given for efforts to give the place a Mexican feel. I’m told the food tastes not exactly as it would in Mexico but it tastes good, so who’s complaining? A favourite seems to be the sizzling Fajita plate. We tried the chicken and pork sizzler served with beans, rice, guacamole and tortillas. It definitely lived up to expectations. Straying from the Mexican theme the restaurant also serves pizza. Perhaps they should stick to what they know best – the mushroom and salami pizza proved rather salty. This said, they seem to have got the brochettes sussed. The spicy goat brochette is as good as you get!Vegetarians need not worry, as there’s plenty of non-meat choices. The best news is prices shouldn’t break the bank. Starters cost Frw1,400, while mains on average go for Frw3,600 - Frw4,500, the most expensive being Frw6000. The lunch buffet goes for Frw2,500 with a soft drink. And as of a few weeks ago the place has wireless (Frw600 per hour, minimum 30 minutes). Waiters, dressed in traditional Mexican costume, are polite and helpful. In fact the only thing that really let the place down was the over half hour wait for the food to arrive. La FIESTA is closed on Monday. Ends