Prime
Affordable buffet at Amari Bistro
What you need to know:
SAVE IT. Eat a buffet at a reasonable price.
Tony Edimu happens to hold a master’s degree in electrical engineering though his present occupation has nothing whatsoever to do with his studies. Nevertheless, while studying in South Africa, he worked in a fast food joint and this gave him a rare chance to glean a firsthand knowledge of the business. To which he is quick to add that the hospitality industry in Uganda is relatively nascent compared to that which obtains in RSA and we are a long way to catching up with them.
Venture
Having been home for awhile, he decided that it would be nice to own a restaurant but was dismayed at the astronomical prices for good property rentals in Kampala. Late last year, he happened to have come across the property he is currently occupying and discovered an alcove bereft of a roof and strategically located at the corner of the building and thought it had potential. I’m sure that Kampala has dozens of such quasi cul de sacs to be found in such buildings.
The opening
Amari Bistro opened its door on January1 and Tony’s marketing strategy has been to offer a comparable menu to what is commonly found in the area with a view to luring potential diners.
The main caveat to this ploy is the pricing, and while there are always those diehards who never worry about price differences, when you are situated in a new and modern office block, and you are surrounded by a multitude of office workers one is bound to get takers.
As good fortune would have it, shortly after opening he landed a catering contract with a blue chip firm to supply them with a reasonable number of local food covers on a daily basis minus weekends. This has proven to be a godsend while at the same time enabling him to offer a buffet for Shs 8,000 over at the café.
Clientele
In our view, the buffet setting under these circumstances is very much a worthwhile attraction which is evidenced by the modest turnout during lunch. Obviously, a buffet at that price can never be spectacular, suffice it to say it is par for the course.
When we were there we chose to skip the buffet and I chose the grilled pork chops that were lean and tasty while fellow trencherman had her heart set in having the whole fish which turned out to be a missing item. Nevertheless, she made do with the fish fingers that were very good.
The kitchen is hardly the size of a postage stamp and when orders are many service tends to suffer. Fortunately, the staff are courteous, young and energetic and Tony’s presence during much of the day ensures that things run smoothly.
If you go...
Amari Bistro: Archer Road, Kololo
The space: Small, compact and unusual
The crowd: Mainly folks from the area
The bar: Coffee, soda and a limited offering of beer and wine
The menu: Continental as well a local buffet that is around Shs 8,000
Sound level: Not bad
The check: Two can get by on the buffet for less than Shs20,000 with a soft drink
Parking: Limited but available and safe
Daily Specials: Ask the waiter
Smoke free zone: Not allowed
What we liked: The prices are very reasonable and the buffet is at a giveaway price
Time: They open early and closed on Sunday
Our rating: Worth a visit
RATINGS: Not to be missed, worth a visit, OK/so so, don’t waste your time.
These ratings are purely the reviewer’s personal reaction to food, ambience and service with price being factored into consideration. All is subject to change.
