One of the Suite 101 glass displays with a ssorted chocolates, tarts, macaroons and jams. PHOTO | MWIKALI LATI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Apart from the pastries, Suite 101 offers chocolates and has set up a mini ice cream parlour with a cold stone. In addition, it is stocking Yswara Luxe’s artisan and herbal teas by Swaady Martin-Lake, an Ivorian luxury entrepreneur.
Some of the top of high-end bakeries in Nairobi are kneading hard to make sure those with a sweet tooth only get the best.
Baked fresh, their glass displays hold an array of eye-catching cupcakes, éclairs, macaroons, cakes and the sugary list is endless. A bakery would not be one without a range of bread starting from ordinary, bagel, baguettes and sour dough with golden crusts that beg to be eaten.
Just the right amount of sweet is what is served at the Tribe Hotel’s new pastry shop, Suite 101. Occupying the a space in the hotel’s lobby that was once the location of one of their bars – the pastry shop’s location is sure to tempt any visitor and guest to stop by, take a seat and partake of its sweet goodness.
“Today, fine pastry is a luxury trend throughout the world, there aren’t too many options for pastry in Nairobi yet. We [Tribe Hotel] are constantly re-inventing our offerings and introducing new approaches to luxury,” says Shamim Ehsani of Tribe Hotel.
Apart from the pastries, Suite 101 offers chocolates and has set up a mini ice cream parlour with a cold stone. In addition, it is stocking Yswara Luxe’s artisan and herbal teas by Swaady Martin-Lake, an Ivorian luxury entrepreneur.
“Gourmet tea is not something that has been explored in Nairobi. We love African brands,” says Shamim, “but luxury goes beyond the product or commodity, it has to do with the packaging, branding and the emotions involved in the experience.”
Away from the hotel lobby to the shopping centres and malls, ABC Place’s Mama’s Patisserie has been getting glowing reviews for their sugary treats. Their cakes even have the choice in frosting; whipped or butter cream.
Alexandre at Yaya Centre offers the best of the Italian pastries like pasticiotti, cannoli and sfogliatelle. In all its branches, ArttCafé will have separate counters, for its 15 different breads, ranging from wholegrain cereal breads to baguettes and pastries.
Others have chosen to specialise in cupcakes like Sugarpie Cupcakes which looks at local ingredients to create new flavours.
“Being in Kenya, we have the privilege of easily accessing tons of amazing foods that are really delicious and inspiring. We come up with flavours based on the time of year, the weather and what’s in season, and what we want to eat,” says Sandra Zhao of Sugarpie Cupcakes.
At Suite 101, they are currently importing flour from France and Italy because what is available locally is too coarse. To get the delicious goodies even closer to people, most of these places have a delivery service and you can order online or simply make a phone call.
