Mumbai restaurant gives taste of Africa

Geet Indo-Afro Restaurant, the brainchild of Pretoria restaurateur Gita Jivan, is in the heart of Mumbai's film industry, Andheri West.

The restaurant, which is giving Indians a taste of South Africa, officially opened on Friday.

Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar and his wife, Twinkle, as well as members of leading Indian TV network NDTV, have already visited the eatery.

The restaurant is made up of four sections: an Ubuntu fine-dining restaurant, a Zulu Terrace, a Lappa Cafe and a Marimba Bar and Lounge.

Jivan says the restaurant has been the talk of the town.

“We had a movie launch. Also top film producers and actors, like Akshay Kumar, and big TV networks have been to the restaurant. We are situated in a happening place in India.

“The Zulu Terrace is very African with a barbecue stand at each table. A special chef at each table braais food selected from the menu while patrons enjoy local and international beers. We also specialise in all South African wines,” said Jivan.

The African-themed decor was brought in from South Africa, as well as the specially made bar stools, which resemble drums.

“The entire place has an African drum look,” she added.

No game, but great food

The mother of two said that the fine dining menu was diverse and included African, French, Italian, Thai and Indian dishes.

“The Lappa Cafe offers light sandwiches and bunny chows. Apart from exposing South African food, we also want to cater for guests from other countries. The African dishes include pap with spinach or different types of gravy, African potjie stew, bobotie and bunny chows. The Indian dishes are authentic Indian-style curries, not South African curries. Unfortunately, we couldn't do game or exotic meats because of the rules of the country.

“We will host a bunny chow festival next week, and in about two weeks' time we will start African jazz evenings.”

Jivan said she was encouraged by Indian clientele at her Pretoria branch to open an African cuisine restaurant in India.

“After some research and many trips to India, I saw a gap (in the market). The speciality restaurants do very well in India. I am very proudly South African, and I wanted to expose South Africa, its cuisine and rainbow-nation culture. I will be employing South African staff to make it more authentic,” she said.

Jivan previously hosted culinary cuisine tours, taking South Africans to India. “Once we have established ourselves, I would like to bring Indians on a tour of Africa.”

Source: Sunday Times

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