Like most people that like eating out, I prefer going to a restaurant with a friend. You know someone to chat with and exchange, debate views concerning the place in question. So there I was at the entrance of Café Nush with my close buddy Nathaniel. It was around 11am and the place was crowded. We managed to find a table for two, a high rise table perfect for close conversation. It was quite noisy, something you really can’t escape due to the compact nature of the establishment and the parking lot next to it. We didn’t really hear the background music playing until we went into the bathroom and the T.V screen also placed strategically close to the ceiling that was tuned on to BBC news was also difficult to hear. But any of you that have experiences of eating in noisy places know that the sound creates a drone effect where people can’t make out what others are saying hence in a weird way keeping the conversation on your table private!

One thing that we found really annoying was waiting 10 minutes for a waiter to serve us. When we finally managed to get a waiter (after rigorous hand gestures) and placed our orders she told us that our plates would be ready in 10 minutes and she was right on the money. I ordered a Chicken Mayo sandwich that came with chips$7 and beverage wise went for a glass of Apple Juice$3. Nate went for a simple order of Chips$3 and Fanta$3. The presentation was quite good, my sandwich was cut into four little triangles and the plate came with two lettuce leafs and a slice of tomato. The chips were a bit dry however the sandwiches were scrumptious! Once I washed all of it down with the refreshing apple juice which tasted like the Ceres brand (probably was) we took a look around to observe the other customers. We noticed that everyone was dressed smart, some most likely taking a break from work and quite a few had I-pads. It was during these observations that I spotted one of my friends from New York, Maxine. She told me not to try the Cheesecakes here as they were missing some creaminess. Heads up heeded as I always feel that the Americans do Cheesecakes the right way! After conversing a bit and letting the food settle we crossed the parking lot to check out the Steakout.

There were less people at this establishment and we quickly realized that it wasn’t just a restaurant but also a butchery. Behind the window we saw Halaal meats, Sirloins, rumps etc for sale. The kitchen was also in full view hence we could get a glimpse of what ingredients the chef was sneaking into our meal! The annoying thing about having a butchery close to your table is that it attracts flies and some of us don’t have the energy to swat these persistent buggers. The fact that raw meat is in full view while you are eating might not cater to everyone. However looking at the menu we realized that Steakout did not just cater to the meat lover with a surprising variety of selections. But we decided When in Rome do as the Romans do and ordered a Chicken Breast burger$6 & Beef burger$9 respectively. Beverage wise we both went for milkshakes$3 and they were perfect. Blended in a way that the cream maintained its thickness. The burgers were a mixed bag. While Nate was enjoying his juicy beef paddy I had to add ketchup to mine because the chicken breast was a bit dry. However the chips were crispy and moist definitely superior to Café Nushes.

Now (drumroll) the time has come to choose the favorable establishment and the winner is……………….. No one it’s a draw! While Café Nush is cleaner and a much more interesting place to chill and catch up with friends the menu leaves something to be desired. I feel that you can eat the same stuff for the same price at other places. Steakout on the other hand ambiance wise feels kind of like a slaughter house and the presence of flies buzzing around you at times is gross but the menu is quite diverse. From pastries to full meals and coffees there seems to be something for everyone. Based on my experiences both places are worth checking out but keep in mind, which do you prefer ambiance or the menu? The ball is in your court. (word to the wise, for those of you that have fragile stomachs it’s probably not a good idea eating consecutively at two restaurants!)