Foodies

Every few months, food lover Marita van Rooyen compiles a list of the hottest foodie notes in Namibia. 

Special shawarmas in the Boiler Room

Yum! Enjoying a shawarma at the Boiler Room

With every night of the week featuring a different opportunity to chill – and lending to a pretty awesome dinner vibe – you’ll never be without company in the Boiler Room@The Warehouse. Take your family to Tuesday All You Can Eat Buffets; your lover to Wednesday Acoustic Nights; and your friends to Thursday Happy Cocktail, where cocktails are only N$35 a shot, all day long.

The Tuesday buffets represent a different national cuisine each week, including Cape Malay, Greek, Boerekos, Spanish, Portuguese, German… you name it, they’ll do it! Regular menu items are the über awesome shawarma, chilli con carne burrito, pizzas, nachos, Mexican burger, potato wedges and chocolate spring rolls. The Boiler Room@The Warehouse is open from 16:00 till late and is situated in Tal Street, Windhoek.

061 40 2253

Have your rice and eat it

Kalimbeza rice in a bowl

Namibia’s own locally grown rice varieties are about to hit the supermarket shelves! Kalimbeza Rice, until now available only from the offices of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry in Windhoek, Katima Mulilo and Ongwediva, is scheduled to be in stores ‘any time from May onwards’, according to chief agricultural research technician Patrick Kompeli.

On the road to self-sustainability and organic farming, these rice products support the development and training of local farmers, ‘empowering smallholder farmers to break free from poverty’. Located in the perfectly appropriate tropical atmosphere of the Katima Mulilo environs, the Kalimbeza Project kicked into gear about seven years ago after extensive research by UNAM showed that the area was suitable for cultivating rice. Expect a portion of Kalimbeza Supa Irga or Angola to be simmering in your pot soon! (We tried it as a base for seafood paella – NJAM!)

NICE gets even nicer

Dessert at Nice restaurant

The Namibian Institute for Culinary Education (NICE) Restaurant has just launched its fresh new dinner menu and overhauled its wine list to attract foodies to sample a taste of Namibia. Head chef Tinus Adriaanse and his team of complementary cooks have combined their culinary capabilities to devise a menu featuring top-quality locally sourced meat and seafood products with organic herbs and veggies from NICE’s very own organic garden.

Expect signature creations such as Grilled Oryx Loin with Poached Pear, Rocket Pilaf and A Few Good Men Red Wine Reduction, or Chargrilled Tuna Steak on a bed of Couscous with a Chilli Orange Sauce to land on your plate. Round your meal off with a good dose of world-class South African wine and go home happy. NICE is situated on the corner of Mozart Street in Windhoek.

Reservations:  061 30 0710

And NICE’s Uwe wins big

Uwe Hanssen

Aiming to be the owner of a restaurant himself one day and to be recognised worldwide as an accomplished Namibian chef, Uwe Hanssen started his year under the banner of the Namibian Chef’s Association’s Under 25 Chef of the Year. At only 23, Uwe is currently working as a junior chef at NICE, and is seriously passionate about cooking. Uwe will be representing Namibia at the Hans-Bueschkens Semi-Finals of the World Global Challenge in May. A big thumbs up both to Uwe and to vocational training at the Namibian Institute of Culinary Education!

Xwama, for the only katuccino in town!

Xwama restaurant

To get an idea of the Xwama Cultural Village vibe, think vibrant colours, ondelela cushions, blikbekers, the faces of welcoming community members, Namib Mills- and Meme Mahangu-covered walls and… the only kattuccino in town. Recently revamped and re-launched, the coolest cultural community in the country now has new flair.

With the Kadhikwa starter featuring light meals such as biltong slices served with ox-fat spread and a tantalising chilli sauce on locally made coal-fired bread, and the delectable kapana beef kebab with vetkoek and tomato and onion salsa, this is your Kape na okadila ihaka tilyana kumulungu (everyone will eventually get their turn) to experience Katutura with a difference.

Xwama

Ask for ‘killer catch and everyone’s favourite waitress’ Meke Edimbi to serve you mahangu on a woven basket plate, which you can even pound yourself, and then take half a kilogram of it home! Traditional dances, storytelling, and basket weaving are further activities to really get you going. Then there’s a VIP section for high-ranking officials, as well as conference facilities for up to 40 delegates.

The coffee shop is open from 7:00, serving breakfast with a cultural kick, while the main restaurant is open from 12:00. Find the Xwama Cultural Village on the corner of Omoongo Street and Independence Avenue in Katutura.

Contact: 061 21 0270

The Taste Academy

Taste Academy cooking

Ever wanted to be a wine connoisseur, a foodie or a gourmet? Or perhaps you already are one and feel like showing off your skills? The Taste Academy is a lifestyle club with a difference. It channels its membership fees into the Charitable Projects initiative devised by the N/a’an ku sê Wildlife Sanctuary to support the conservation and protection of our national wildlife, land and the Bushmen people. And the get-togethers are great fun! Says Chef Rhona Strauss: “2012 saw wine tasting, wine making, sushi rolling, cheese and wine pairing, cookalongs, and even a festive champagne tasting.”

Valentines class

Upcoming events include a team-up with Linchen Tromp on 6 March, an opportunity for you to learn how to cook delicious, healthy meals to keep you trim; a team-up with Wecke & Voigts at the end of March; and from 1 to 8 May, the Charl Theron Wine Week – jam-packed with exciting wine events and professional training, which includes chocolate tasting, bar personnel training and a wine-making course at Neuras Wine and Wildlife Estate.

Email Rhona at naankuselodge@iway.na to join the club.

This compilation originally appeared in the Travel News Namibia autunm 2013 publication.