Sundaymail Editor
Society Reporter
THE National Botanic Garden of Zimbabwe, which is located about four kilometres north of the Harare city centre, is home to most of the country’s indigenous plants.
Initially established as a recreation area in 1902, the garden has an area of almost seven square kilometres.
Apart from the more than 750 plant species from the country’s woodlands, the garden, which is located in the low–density suburb of Alexandra Park, is also home to the National Herbarium of Zimbabwe.
The gardens are a good place and a must-visit for anyone who is interested in the country’s plants and woodland habitats.
Likewise, those needing some fresh air, but not wishing to travel far from Harare, the gardens have proved to be the ideal place for one to walk around.
A great place to walk one’s dog, those that are familiar with this place generally enjoy the different woodland environments.
If you want a light meal, the Botanic Garden restaurant, which is tucked away from public view by the lush green environs, has proved to be a popular place. It provides sumptuous meals in a serene environment.
The Sunday Mail Society recently visited this popular eatery which dishes out well-cooked traditional foods and vegetarian dishes.
Business executives, youthful entrepreneurs, socialites and many other people drawn from diverse backgrounds frequent the eatery.
We caught up with members of the Nyatsime Old Students Association who regularly converge at the restaurant to eat, socialise and discuss business.
“I like this place because it is quiet and decent. I also like the fresh air,” said one of the association members who only identified himself as Romeo.
“I like the traditional food and the fact that this is an open space where one can enjoy meals in an open-air setting.
“Also, I like the free-range chicken and the pork chops which are not mixed in spices and soups,” said another regular at the place.
Diners occasionally have their lunch whilst seated on the lush green lawns. Some of the popular dishes include rice in peanut butter, pork chops, beef tripe and intestines stew (maguru nematumbu)
Vegetables cooked with peanut butter are also among some of the most popular dishes.
Book launches, weddings, birthday parties and get-together parties are occasionally held at the restaurant.
Munyoro Meza, the restaurant’s head chef, who worked for the Cresta Group for 27 years before moving to the botanic restaurant is the man who is behind the restaurant’s immensely popular dishes.
Dots Kitchen, a company which is owned by Dorothy Ngwenya, a seasoned restaurateur, hotelier and a Bulawayo Hotel School graduate, is running the restaurant under lease.
She reckons food should be cooked and served in its natural form.
“If it is chicken, customers should be served chicken. I do not like spices since they distort the taste. Also, food must not be overcooked as this affects nutrients,” notes Ngwenya.
Alcoholic beverages are not served at the restaurant. The restaurant offers stir fries, traditional French, Greek and Portuguese salads with freshly home-made dressings.
For desserts, customers have a variety to choose from with black forest cake served with fresh ice cream being one of the many on offer.
Sherry trifle, apple tart, custard sauce and Malvern pudding are also served.
Apart from braais and cocktails the Botanic Garden restaurant also offers outside catering services.
Online Reporter