Fang Fang’s Exquisite Garden
Way back around 1993, Madam Fang Minh the dynamic proprietor of the much acclaimed Fang Fang Chinese restaurant invited me to visit her newly acquired premises in Greenland Towers.
By Kadumukasa Kironde II
Way back around 1993, Madam Fang Minh the dynamic proprietor of the much acclaimed Fang Fang Chinese restaurant invited me to visit her newly acquired premises in Greenland Towers. To say the least they were sparse, empty and awesome and it is difficult to imagine that she transformed it into such a grand and opulent place.
Likewise, almost five years ago Madam Fang Minh bought the then Holiday Hotel in Nakasero. Once again she invited me to look at the property that was merely an average run of the mill twenty-room hotel.
However, the place had a large compound in the back that not only offered superb al fresco dining opportunities, but also was ideal for wedding, banquets et al. So she set about to create a wonderful outdoor setting, which is both idyllic and romantic.
The newly constructed covered veranda overlooks a spacious garden and seats 40 or so diners. Upstairs is another balcony that can also seat a similar number of people. Not to be overlooked is a very cosy indoor private and air-conditioned dining room.
As for the food, it is always a tough act to follow when one tries to clone a replica of the mother.
Over at Fang Fang Hotel, she has decided to put a few local muchomo dishes on the menu such as chicken and chips or tender fried beef morsels. These go for something like sh3,500.
Going one step further, I was amazed to be invited to a wedding party at the hotel and be served the most memorable matooke and smoked boiled beef stew, nakati etc.
For starters we took the plunge and splurged on the fried crispy prawns with ginger and garlic. Expensive, but worth every penny. We also tried the fresh assorted vegetables with pastry and jam. Not quite my cup of tea, it was consumed with great relish. We always have a sampling of the spring rolls, a mixture of vegetable, pork and chicken and these are always consistent in taste.
Of the soups, we often have the hot and sour soup, which is not too spicy nor is it very filling, and yet it is a classic all time favourite for many.
When it comes to vegetables, one has a choice of fried broccoli with garlic sauce, Chinese cabbage Sichuan style (hot and peppery), bean curd with mushrooms et al.
Rating:
XXX: Excellent
XX: Very good
XX: Worth a visit
O: Not worth a visit
Way back around 1993, Madam Fang Minh the dynamic proprietor of the much acclaimed Fang Fang Chinese restaurant invited me to visit her newly acquired premises in Greenland Towers. To say the least they were sparse, empty and awesome and it is difficult to imagine that she transformed it into such a grand and opulent place.
Likewise, almost five years ago Madam Fang Minh bought the then Holiday Hotel in Nakasero. Once again she invited me to look at the property that was merely an average run of the mill twenty-room hotel.
However, the place had a large compound in the back that not only offered superb al fresco dining opportunities, but also was ideal for wedding, banquets et al. So she set about to create a wonderful outdoor setting, which is both idyllic and romantic.
The newly constructed covered veranda overlooks a spacious garden and seats 40 or so diners. Upstairs is another balcony that can also seat a similar number of people. Not to be overlooked is a very cosy indoor private and air-conditioned dining room.
As for the food, it is always a tough act to follow when one tries to clone a replica of the mother.
Over at Fang Fang Hotel, she has decided to put a few local muchomo dishes on the menu such as chicken and chips or tender fried beef morsels. These go for something like sh3,500.
Going one step further, I was amazed to be invited to a wedding party at the hotel and be served the most memorable matooke and smoked boiled beef stew, nakati etc.
For starters we took the plunge and splurged on the fried crispy prawns with ginger and garlic. Expensive, but worth every penny. We also tried the fresh assorted vegetables with pastry and jam. Not quite my cup of tea, it was consumed with great relish. We always have a sampling of the spring rolls, a mixture of vegetable, pork and chicken and these are always consistent in taste.
Of the soups, we often have the hot and sour soup, which is not too spicy nor is it very filling, and yet it is a classic all time favourite for many.
When it comes to vegetables, one has a choice of fried broccoli with garlic sauce, Chinese cabbage Sichuan style (hot and peppery), bean curd with mushrooms et al.
Rating:
XXX: Excellent
XX: Very good
XX: Worth a visit
O: Not worth a visit