“Food, in the end, is our own tradition, something holy. It’s not about nutrients and calories. It’s about sharing. It’s about honesty. It’s about identity.” -Louise Fresco
The tradition and identity we get to discover from our latest cuisine expedition is from the Middle East, a land filled with culture and rich history that dates back thousands of years. It is home to numerous delicacies with exotic flavors, making Middle Eastern food among the top ethnic cuisines that you have to try.
The Friday of November 20th was our designated date to visit Four Points by Sheraton in Hurlingam. Our mission was to try out their new Middle Eastern menu at their rooftop restaurant, Mezze on the Deck. We arrived a few minutes past 4:00 pm, early enough to ensure we didn’t miss out on anything! The intimate tasting was made up of media personalities and influencers with the likes of Lonzi Muchemi from Over 25, Yasmine Yas, Eli Mwenda, Amar Jonathan, and Mike Makori in attendance. Being first to taste their newest menu was quite the privilege.
See More: A Savory Excursion: Four Points By Sheraton JKIA Food and Beverage Tasting
They say that the second best thing after eating food is talking about it, hence why we will meticulously tell you about our 13-menu banquet at the Mezze. The tasting officially began at around 5:00 pm, starting with one of my favorite dishes of the night, Hummus with Pita. Hummus is a dip or spread made with mashed chickpeas, lemon, and garlic. We spread this on the Pita, which is a flat bread and the two making for a delectable combination.
The next dish was Lahmajun, a minced lamb on pizza tracing its origins from Turkey. A rare combination from a Kenyan palette, the pizza was different but quite tasty, owing to the delicious minced lamb.
We later had a Halloumi Fatayer, a samosa-looking dish that left us utterly shocked when we realized it was stuffed with beetroot and not meat. It was different but pleasant, with an interesting blend of flavors.
Next was chicken kebab with shish Taouk. Another Turkish delicacy, we got to enjoy the chicken kebab with Mayo, which was unique. The Shish Taouk was a bit dry though, so we added some sauces to make it more palatable.
During the meal, we also indulged in an endless supply of beer and mojitos to help wash down the mountain of food. The views of Nairobi from the rooftop restaurant lent a charming and elegant ambiance, with the live music adding a perfect touch of nostalgia. Songstress Emma Cheruto serenaded us with the 90s classics, taking us back to the good old days. Mezze on the Deck plays live music every Friday and is therefore the ideal joint to unwind after a busy workweek.
Getting back to the menu, we had Kebab Joojeh, a dish similar to fried chicken, which was exquisite. We also had Shawarmas; made of meat cut into thin slices, stacked in a cone-like bread. These included beef, chicken and lamb, with the beef shawarma being my absolute favorite. More dishes included Kebab Instabuli and Dana Sis Kebab and Kishik symphony were great. The least favorite from the extensive menu was the Falafel platter, a deep fried patty made of peas that I did not particularly enjoy.
After the Middle Eastern feast, dessert came last at around 8:30 pm. We had Chocolate Boereks, a lovely desert with just the right amount of chocolate that happily melts in your mouth. The second dessert was Basblusa, a vanilla sweet cake with caramel toppings that was even more divine.
By the time we were done, it seemed Four Points by Sheraton pulled out their entire stock to give us a foodie experience worthy of royals. The food was more than we could handle and we were glad to bring some of it home. Middle Eastern dining is an interesting dive into the culinary expertise of the region, one that promises to be scrumptious and gratifying for every curious mind.
– Written by Mary Njehia
very nice photos and am equally excited to taste the food
Thank you.
Yes the food is amazing.