Service and food on the money

Harrison Musyoka, the multi-unit manager of Java House, formerly Nairobi Java House is definitely a man cut out for his job. The position he holds is akin to be a roving trouble shooter cum super manager. Harrison has been in Uganda since the introduction of Java House to Uganda and was the one who opened the Jinja Road Branch where he spent four months ensuring a smooth take off.

Experience
Monday, last week we spent a leisurely afternoon with Musyoka talking shop at the latest Java House that has barely been open more than a fortnight. No surprises here, they have their act together. Going to Entebbe is such a drag. To drive there for a meal takes more than resolve and courage and as good fortune would have it we were far from disappointed. It was a joy to be able to savour the wonders of good and delectable cuisine which in Uganda is more often than not conspicuous by its absence.

It helps when you are part of a chain that has been around since 1999, and during that time you have managed to successfully spread your tentacles throughout Kenya with no less than 42 branches and six within the last three years in Uganda. To slake one’s thirst after that arduous trek from Kampala, the classic iced tea with fresh lemon and ginger did it for me and fellow trencherman likewise. Well chilled and with the right tartness, it hit the spot. Next came the difficulty in what to choose from the diversified menu. By the way, in the event that you are biting the bullet, a soda and giant chicken samosa would do well and priced for just over a tenner. For the two this would leave you with enough change to spare for the trip home.

Starter
As a starter, I could not pass up the giant samosa and true to its name it more than lived up to its expectations. Fellow trencherman, ordered the Caesar salad which came with loads of pan-fried chicken fillet, croutons, and subtle shavings of precious parmesan all embellished in gorgeous romaine lettuce with a dressing of olive oil, lemon juice drizzled over the entire salad.

Main course
Next I chose the grilled fish with Cajun sauce served with perfect French fries and rice and as for her, pork ribs served with chips masala. The dessert section features cakes and pies including timeless favorites such as apple cinnamon, assorted muffins, black forest and naturally chocolate fudge cake to mention just a few. Yes, and ice creams galore from which to choose. We settled for the black forest accompanied by a small cappuccino made from fine Kigezi coffee.

Commendation
The service is exemplary and they inquire whether or not you enjoyed your meal. In the tradition of the Java House, orders for the food are perfectly executed and having a centralised kitchen offsite is a blessing in terms of ensuring maximum efficiency and getting the orders to the customer in record time.

IF YOU GO…
Place: Java House
Rating: Not to be missed
Location: Imperial Shopping Mall, Main Airport Drive, Entebbe
Food: Continental and Mex-Tex as well as local fare albeit very limited.
Open: Every day; breakfast, lunch, supper and snacks morning to 10pm
Menu: House specialties for breakfast wraps, tortillas, home fries, a variety of egg dishes including the breakfast combo that includes croissants, cheese, bacon, ham or sausages. Also, nothing beats the full Java House breakfast; they even serve katogo, goat or chicken luwombo.
Beverages: Tea and coffee, milk shakes, wine and beer, juice and water
Price range: A meal for two with some drinks for Shs 100,000
Recommended dishes: Giant chicken samosa (a complete meal unto itself), the Caesar salad, the grilled fish fillet Cajun style and tasty luwombo of either goat or chicken.
Service: On the money
Ambience: Airy and spacious plus an alfresco setting
Parking: Secure and abundant