If you are thinking about coming to Kenya for a tour of fine restaurants, think again. That is not to say that there are not some very good restaurants here, but they are few and far between. Most food served up in Kenya is a strange mix of English cooking (over cooked, over sauced, and served with "chips") and someones idea of American (pizzas and bad salads) with a dash of African fare thrown in. There is almost no such thing as "low fat" anything and red meat is a staple of everyone's diet. I think that half of our discussions with friends centers around "Where did you eat? Was it good?" Finding a satisfactory restaurant is an ongoing quest. What makes it harder to keep track of is the fact that they change so often. One day delicious, the next day dog food (umbwa nyama). Having said that, here is my list of some consistently good restaurants (see disclaimer) in the different categories of food. Bon Appetite.

Good All Around Restaurants

• The Horseman (Karen Shopping Center) - Three restaurants in one serving everything from pizza to Chinese to more simple fare such as grilled chicken. Ask for Ralph. Say I sent you.
• The Jockey Club (Ngong Race Course) - Ups and downs and typically Kenyan (see above). Take your chance.
• Ibis Grill (Norfolk Hotel) - Great cuisine beautifully, if some what pretentiously, presented. A bit pricey, by Nairobi standards, but not too steep for Americans anyway.
• The Mandhari (Serena Hotel) - Continental cuisine. Equally as pricey, but this one's really worth it.
• La Galleria (above Tuna Tree and Casino) Expensive, but pretty good Italian food.
• The Tamarind (National Bank Building) - Great seafood. Not especially cheap either. Order your crab in advance.

Indian Restaurants

• The Handi (The Mall, Westlands) - Excellent Indian food. Skip breakfast to save room.
• Nawab Tandoori (Muthaiga Shopping Center) - Out of the way, but also pretty good.
• The Dawat (Shimmers Plaza, Westlands) - A good curry. Inexpensive.
• Safari Park (Safari Park) - If you're there, check this one out too.

Chinese & Japanese Restaurants

• ShoGun (Argwings Kodhek Rd, Westlands) - Japanese for the Japanese with California rolls thrown in.
• Chopsticks (Westlands) - Good sloppy Chinese
• China Plate (Chancery House) - Standard but good.

Other Restaurants

• Kentrout (North of Nanyiuki) - Excellent, if not too creative, fresh fish from the source. Good place to stop on the way to Samburu.
• The Carnivore (Next to Wilson Airport) - Try all sorts of different meats. Zebra, Giraffe, ALL SORTS! Also has an adequate salad bar for the non meat eaters among you.
• Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant (Argwings Kodhek Rd) - Strange but interesting.
• Gringos (Limuru Rd) - Mexican food in Kenya? "Ndio, pardner". The atmosphere is everything.
• Trattoria (Town House, Wabara St.) - Good pizzas.
• Alan Bobbe's Bistro (Cianda Hse Koinange St) - French, uneven, but can be quite good. The menu is fun.