Menu, ambience to die for at Serena Lake Victoria

Weddings in Uganda are a common happenstance and one would be hard-pressed to figure out how many are held annually. Regardless, they must number in thousands. If I’m not mistaken, the most important part of the event is the reception. This is where the newlyweds can show off their sartorial wear and this is the first meal that they are serving their friends and relatives.

In terms of venue, nowadays these are a dozen ranging from very inexpensive to moderate and super league; it depends on one’s budget and as the maxim goes, ‘you pay for what you get.’

Last year, my son Senteza tied the knot and the reception was held at the Kampala Serena Hotel and still ranks as being an all-time favourite in all manner of arrangements. Notwithstanding, an ideal wedding should be a no holds bar event with the best of everything that is affordable to both bride and groom.

As might be expected, perhaps the key questions have to be whether it will be an indoor or outdoor affair. Here, the important consideration has to be the number of expected guests as well as bearing in mind the season.

That said, the Serena has to rank primus inter pares got an al fresco setting and for the couple, the outdoor setting at the Lake Victoria Serena Resort was the obvious and preferred choice.

After all, when you are paying Shs65,000 per plate anywhere in Kampala and especially at the Serena, you are assured of incomparable service and this being a once in a lifetime affair, do not feel cheated. Consideration of the number of serving stations is often a problem at weddings. I can say the 400 guests were served within no more than 20 minutes and there was absolutely no skimping on the portions.

What a joyous relief to be able to sample a sizeable piece of chicken as opposed to the common way of creating dozens of pieces out of a chicken as is the case at many a catered Ugandan function.

Menu and numbers
The matooke was exemplary as was the rice, and the fish was again of reasonable and acceptable portion and all in all, while the food may not have not have been gourmet, by all standards it was wholesome and well-cooked. They served people from all walks of life.

When dealing with numbers of this magnitude, there are so many options in terms of garden setting and otherwise that abound all over town and in the case of an alfresco getting, a marquee is always a cinch. The critical factor has to be the loos, parking, the service and of course the food. The Serena has all the above in place conveniently situated under one roof.

Who wants to use portable loos dressed in heels, or be served cold/tepid food because the service provider wants to avoid the cost of paying for umpteenth burners? Parking up some hill dressed to the nines in semi darkness can be a daunting and dangerous task.

For sure, Moses and Mary made us all proud and most assuredly thanks to the Serena setting it was a win-win situation for everybody.
A wedding should never be a disappointment and for that one special day in your life, at no cost can you afford to gamble.

The menu
Several assorted salads
White rice
Potatoes Anna
Steamed matooke
Ground nut stew
Fried beans
Grilled chicken
Pan fried fish
Braised beef stew
Dessert
The place
The Lake Victoria Serena Resort, Kigo Road
The space: A huge marquee that can accommodate at least 450 guests, allow Shs10m for this item
The crowd: Mainly Ugandans as well as some of the bride and bridegrooms friends from Florida
The bar: All manner of booze
The damage: Shs65,000 per cover
Sound level: Excellent
Parking: Available and secure

NOTE

RATINGS: These ratings are purely the reviewer’s personal reaction to food, ambience and service with price being factored into consideration. The menu listings and prices are subject to change without notice.