ITALY IN KENYA By Rahab Gakuru

The La Terrazza restaurant.

Kenyans are known for their warm welcome. Every visit to a Kenyan home starts with drinks ranging from porridge, juice, tea, milk, yogurt, and water culminating with a warm plate of food. Most Kenyans are foodies by nature and universally eat ugali is cornmeal cooked in boiling water or milk until it reaches a stiff or firm dough made in Africa, sukuma wiki a swahili word meaning push the week. Sukuma Wiki is collard greens eaten with Ugali., and nyama choma. This also translates into good business for any restaurant with good food and reasonable prices. Kenyans will show loyalty by flocking there in great numbers.

La Terrazza, an Italian restaurant started in 2018 on the top floor terrace of the Green House Mall on Ngong Road is everything a foodie would dream of. Comfort, warmth, excellent service and new experience. The walk from the restaurant door is breathtaking; the alley is donned with spectacular photographs by an Italian artist, and choice wine. The downstairs holds a bar and two meeting rooms that can hold 30 or even more people; one of them being private. The upstairs with another and a restaurant welcomes you with soft music, cool breeze and an aura of being in coast all this heightens the flavors of the Italian cuisine. 

Arancini (Stuffed rice balls) dish complete all the nutrients.

  

Stephano Rusticali is passionate about offering an Italian experience to all their clients. From Italy, Stephano came to Kenya 5 years ago. He lived 3 years in Watamu in the Kenyan coast where he owns a resort with his cousin. Two years ago, he got an opportunity to work in an Italian restaurant but midway the owner decided to change the business idea. So, he decided to open his own Italian restaurant in Nairobi.

“My rule for any Italian restaurant is, if it does not have an Italian chef or manager, then it's bound to lose its authenticity.  An Italian chef/manager will understand the right way to cook pasta and its authentic taste. Like when to add salt or pasta, whether to boil the water first, these are small things but they determine the taste of the pasta,” he says.

Stephano Rusticali at the restaurant.

La Terrazza means terrace in English, the name was conned from the view at the restaurant. The restaurant has a sitting capacity of 75 people and with a wide menu prepared by an Italian chef Claudio Panico who is currently working in Tunisia. He is, however, expected back in April to ensure authenticity is being maintained. The restaurant kitchen is run by a top Chef Murielle Minchella with a team of Kenyan chefs with 10 years of experience working in Italian restaurants.

“Our menu is wide, but we are able to cook fresh and quality dishes. We expect Claudio will replace or add one dish, which we do every two months.” Stephano says.

According to Stephano, their main objective is to introduce authentic Italian cuisine to Kenya in the best way. Most of their ingredients are imported from Italy e.g. oil, vinegar, salt, fresh cheese, wine, chocolates, coffees, beer, and spirits.

“Most of these ingredients ensure the food has an authentic Italian taste. My suppliers in Italy organize the shipment from Nairobi, Kenya that takes a fortnight from Milan. I ensure that the ingredients are fresh every day; vegetables from Limuru, meat from Nairobi. I have 3 supplies for 100% fresh fish from Malindi; one for lobster, one for prawns and one for snapper.” He adds.

La Terrazza upstairs bar.

David Kageenu, the marketing manager at La Terrazza, says that starting a business everywhere is hard in the world. But it’s such a wonderful process of building a loyal clientele. Day by day they are getting there.

“We will take you to Italy while you are still in Nairobi. We don't compromise on quality. We blend the art, wine, and food in one to give you a full Italian experience. Stephano is a wine expert in Italy and for him to recommend a bottle of wine just know it's the best,” he says.

“Our wine display has the finest and an expansive wine collection from different wine producers all Italian wines for sale. Our 2 meeting rooms offer a perfect environment for both business meetings and parties. In the past we have held parties for over 40 people in the rooms.” David says. “We have bookings made a month in advance, in case of parties, birthday celebrations, anniversary and meetings  where we custom make the space to your liking.”

Wine collection on display.

According to Stephano, if you are an Italian restaurant that does not get bread, cheese, wine and pasta right they should consider closing. After making an order every dish takes less than 10 minutes to get to a client's table. A client first receives bread with dipping sauces, something to bite on before they can get their food.

“I chose Kenya because of the weather, the hospitable people, and the ocean. I was born near a sea and when I fly to Mombasa it reminds me of home. Murielle, my business partner, is in charge of the kitchen, while I handle the administrative part of the business. I ensure we are compliant with the Kenyans laws.” He adds.

La Terrazza employs 20 people and opens from 12:00 noon to 12:00 midnight. In the future, they are hoping to include breakfast. You can also order their food online on their website, and it is delivered by Uber eats and Jumia food delivery services. “This is my passion. So, I work on it for 7 days every week. We serve about 45 to 50 people per day while ensuring the client gets the best service. The view is magnificent, especially at night when the lights come on, the ambiance is so relaxing,” says Stephano.