Hey Lovelies, I hope y’all have been doing well these past few days I’ve been MIA! Sometimes life gets in the way. You blink, and a week has passed since you last stepped into the kitchen. I must confess, I’ve still been “cooking,” but only in my mind. Imagining delicious meals, daydreaming recipes, and scrolling through food inspo counts as culinary activity, right? 😅 But I promise you, I'll be back to whipping up something real very soon.
Anyway, enough chit-chat. Let’s talk about something super exciting, my very first restaurant review! Yes, the time has come. I finally got the chance to share an experience I’ve been holding on to. It’s been simmering in my heart like a slow-cooked stew. This wasn’t just any evening out, it was a dinner at the stunning Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. A place I had admired from afar for the longest time, with its towering elegance and the kind of architectural confidence that makes you think, “Hmm, someday…”
Well, that "someday" arrived last week. A family dinner became the perfect occasion to dine. 😉 Maybe there was no wine, but the venue was stylish. And oh, what a night it was!
Experience a magical evening at Radisson Blu Nairobi in this first restaurant review, highlighting exquisite cuisine, elegant ambiance, and exceptional service in one of Nairobi’s top dining spots.
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Pulling up to Radisson Blu already felt special. The grand entrance, with its polished floors, ambient lighting, and that low hum of sophistication, made it clear. This was not your ordinary dinner out. The staff at the entrance were warm and professional, a blend that’s surprisingly rare but so appreciated. We were ushered into the restaurant area. We had initially hoped for the buffet. However, we were told it wasn’t running that evening due to a low guest count. We weren’t about to let that put a damper on our mood. The à la carte menu it was!
Now here’s where things got especially charming. This was no regular dinner. It involved a surprise. We’d requested a little extra attention to detail, and the hostess went above and beyond. I might’ve gotten her a bit too excited about our surprise. She genuinely tried her best to set the scene. The only thing she apologized for? Not being able to get roses. Honestly, she didn’t even need to, everything else was so beautifully arranged.
The table was elegantly set for our group of seven. Each seat had a full cutlery setup, wine glass, water glass, and neatly arranged salt and pepper shakers. What caught my eye immediately was the white linen napkins, each folded into an intricate fan and placed with care. The centerpiece was magical. Glass jars held flickering candles. They were tucked inside layers of white napkins casting a soft, purplish glow across the table. It felt intimate and festive at the same time.
The table was also sprinkled with funfetti and small heart-shaped cutouts, giving it just the right touch of whimsy. It wasn’t overly formal; it was inviting, cozy, and filled with love. As we settled in and exchanged laughter and stories, our server arrived, welcoming us warmly and handing out the menus. She was patient, knowledgeable, and attentive. She provided exactly the kind of service that makes dining feel like an experience rather than just a meal.
She explained the options available, answered our questions (and we had quite a few), and made excellent recommendations. It’s little things like that which elevate a restaurant from good to memorable. The menu was diverse and offered a selection of local and international dishes. From hearty pastas to perfectly grilled meats, there was something for everyone at the table. This was a special evening. We each chose different dishes. This way, we could sneak bites off each other’s plates. As one does. 😉
I ordered a chicken dish. It was paired with mashed potatoes and sautéed vegetables. Let me tell you, everything was perfectly done. The chicken was moist, seasoned just right, and the creamy mash was smooth without being heavy. Even the vegetables, which often get tossed on a plate without thought, were crisp and flavorful. It was clear someone in that kitchen really cared.
The night featured other standout dishes. These included a spicy prawn pasta and a perfectly grilled steak. There was also a vegetarian risotto that was rich, buttery, and full of depth. Every bite confirmed that this was a team that understood flavor balance, portion control, and presentation.
What I loved most about the evening was how it managed to feel both elevated and relaxed. You could come here for a romantic date night. It would be great for a celebration. Even a work dinner would suit the mood perfectly. The lighting was dim enough to feel cozy. It was bright enough to see your food (and get those cute Instagram shots 😉). Soft background music played in the distance, just loud enough to fill the silence between conversations, but never intrusive. It was the kind of environment where time slowed down, and you could genuinely enjoy being in the moment.
As the night wound down, we sat chatting over coffee and dessert. I found myself quietly soaking in the moment. Here we were, gathered around a beautifully set table, full and content, surrounded by laughter and love. The setting helped, of course. What truly made it special was how Radisson Blu Nairobi went the extra mile to make us feel welcome.
My first restaurant review turned out to be more than just a critique of food and ambiance. It became a memory. A snapshot of a night filled with connection, laughter, thoughtful touches, and yes, excellent food.
Would I recommend Radisson Blu Nairobi? Absolutely. It's the kind of place that makes every occasion feel special. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or a “just because” dinner, it feels a little more magical. Have you been to Radisson Blu Nairobi or have a restaurant you’d love me to review next? Let me know in the comments or DM me, I’d love to hear your foodie adventures!
Until next time, stay well and stay hungry. 💛
— With love, from my table to yours.
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Table setting
I love how these white table napkins were folded. The table setting was perfect and inviting for our dinner.
I'm obseesed with decor and I couldn't help getting a black and white shot of this wine glass, cutlery and napkin
I loved the ambience at Larder restaurant. Soft jazzy background music played around us, lighting was warm and the wait stuff were pleasant
So lets get it on with the food. Radison Blu Nairobi has two restaurants. The Chop House and Larder where we were. Larder does not offer alcoholic drinks so we all ordered different juices.
I ordered the Mango juice, which was pleasant and cold, the way I like my mango juice
For starters Larder offers various options, though that night there wasn't too many options like I had seen on their menu earlier. There was only one option for soup. I had Roasted Pumpkin Soup with sauteed Prawn. The pumpkin soup was infused with cinnamon and coconut cream. In my life the one thing that I can never eat is pumpkin! So going against all my disdain of the pumpkin and the waiter really jazzing it up I decided to give it a try. Perfect. Is what I can say. The soup was smooth, delicious without being overly salty or bland. The cinnamon and the coconut cream just added another level to it. Never say never, but I'm still not eating pumpkin! First time tasting Prawns, already addicted to them, deliciousness in a small package!
The soup was served with mini buns and butter of course. The buns were so soft and delicious I almost ate all of them!
The pumpkin soup, sauteed prawn and buns were a match made on earth. I would totally eat this starter again. and again. Delish!
For the main, I chose Lamb Korma. There was an option for chicken too but I wanted something different.
The Lamb Korma is slow cooked lamb curry in Kashmiri spices served with fragrant white rice, crispy Papadom and Condiments. Condiments being corriander raita and sweet chutney
Do not dare attempt this dish if you do not like spices. Lamb Korma is spicy, very spicy. I did not like the Papadom which was spicy as well, maybe its an acquired taste. You just have to taste it to decide whether you like Popadam. The chutney was sweet which balanced the spice in the lamb korma well
The rice was a bit dry though delicious all the same but I guess that is what the curry is for. I liked their portions, you eat to your fill
I was too full for dessert but some got ice cream. It was neopolitan ice cream which I tasted of course. There is always room for
Overall Larder restaurant is a place I would go again, hopefully they will have more options in terms of items on their menu. Next time I go again I will definitely get photos of the decor. I loved their decor! So till next hunt for good places, cheers to good food!
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