Buzkashi, the Afghani equivalent of polo, is the country’s national sport. Photo/Courtesy
What you need to know:
This might sound gruesome, but it’s Afghanistan’s national sport and paintings of Buzkashi decorate the walls of Bar.B.Q Tonight, Nairobi’s recent barbeque restaurant. With rich amber and burgundy colours, the paintings blend easily with the earthy feel of the restaurant’s wooden furniture.
The emphasis on art in the restaurant, in Westlands, is a trademark of the décor of every Bar.B.Q Tonight outlet globally, it’s an opportunity to showcase an additional facet of Eastern culture beyond the food, said Zeenat Sheikh, the restaurants general manager.
Bar.B.Q Tonight was started in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1988, when two brothers opened a grilled foods restaurant serving a variety of traditional Middle Eastern recipes. From its humble beginning it has become a recognisable franchise with a presence in Singapore, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain and now Nairobi.
Its known for its Afghan, Central Asia and Middle Eastern specialties including the Royal Kabuli Pulauo – lamb with rice and onions, garnished with almonds and raisins – Chicken Charga – grilled chicken marinated in yoghurt sauce and Khatay Baingan, which is eggplant cooked in a tamarind and tomato sauce. For barbeque one can enjoy kababs, ribs, tikka and special platters, ideal for sharing.
The menu offers a wide variety of foods other than barbeque, including Afghan and sea food, steaks, chicken and a vegetarian option. Prices range between Sh450 for the barbeque menu to Sh1,500 for other meals.
Buzkashi is often compared to polo because in both games players are on horseback and propel an object towards a goal. Polo is played with a ball while Buzkashi is played with a headless goat carcass.
This might sound gruesome, but it’s Afghanistan’s national sport and paintings of Buzkashi decorate the walls of Bar.B.Q Tonight, Nairobi’s recent barbeque restaurant. With rich amber and burgundy colours, the paintings blend easily with the earthy feel of the restaurant’s wooden furniture.
The emphasis on art in the restaurant, in Westlands, is a trademark of the décor of every Bar.B.Q Tonight outlet globally, it’s an opportunity to showcase an additional facet of Eastern culture beyond the food, said Zeenat Sheikh, the restaurants general manager.
Bar.B.Q Tonight was started in Karachi, Pakistan, in 1988, when two brothers opened a grilled foods restaurant serving a variety of traditional Middle Eastern recipes.
From its humble beginning it has become a recognisable franchise with a presence in Singapore, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Britain and now Nairobi.
Its known for its Afghan, Central Asia and Middle Eastern specialties including the Royal Kabuli Pulauo – lamb with rice and onions, garnished with almonds and raisins – Chicken Charga – grilled chicken marinated in yoghurt sauce and Khatay Baingan, which is eggplant cooked in a tamarind and tomato sauce. For barbeque one can enjoy kababs, ribs, tikka and special platters, ideal for sharing.
The menu offers a wide variety of foods other than barbeque, including Afghan and sea food, steaks, chicken and a vegetarian option. Prices range between Sh450 for the barbeque menu to Sh1,500 for other meals.
However, it’s the all you can eat buffet that has proved to be popular in Nairobi, says Zeenat. The buffet, displayed at the centre of the restaurant in gleaming silver dishes, is on offer every night and for Sunday lunch at Sh1,200. It includes 32 different dishes including biryani, chicken korma, black pepper prawns and palak paneer.
Finish the meal with a sweet and creamy serving of Shahi Tukray - bread soaked in cardamom mil- or Gulab Jamun - balls of cottage cheese and thickened milk soaked in warm syrup – and the Pakistani version of Chai Latte, Chainak Chai. There are no alcoholic drinks on the menu.
Its location in The Mall offers ample parking, though its proximity to the busy Westlands roundabout can be a hustle to access during peak hours.
However, once inside the comfortable spacious seating, with private division and a terrace with a smoking section, you can forget about the hustle and bustle of the outside world and enjoy the Eastern cuisine.
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