Gaborone is a unique city. High rise buildings are flanked by vendors poured over traditional clay pots preparing pap, mogodu and a variation of vegetables. The tar and gravel roads interact with ease. Villages are this city's suburbs and street addresses are plot numbers identified by popular landmarks.
Botswana's capital city seems to be the perfect marriage between the appreciation of traditional African culture and a modernized influence from the West.
The Daily Grind reflects this effortless fusion.
The trendy cafe and kitchen, which is nestled in a corporate cove, offers an oasis from the heat and unrelenting sun. My lunch date and I have spent most of Friday afternoon getting lost in the excitement of Gaborone. When we finally arrive, the front-of-house greets us like old friends.
Within seconds, we are seated and handed menus. The two page offering boasts a smorgasbord of tempting treats. From quinoa bowls and eggs made three ways to seswaa burgers and holiday potatoes served with coffee chutney and aioli.
I want to try it all.
The Botswana Benedict sounds good. It's a plate of papata, traditional rape (a leafy green vegetable similar to spinach), bacon, eggs and hollandaise sauce. But The OG Flapjacks arrests my appetite. My lunch date opts for a red lentil curry that comes with flatbread.
After we place our order, we ease into the ambiance of the cafe and kitchen. A hum of lounge music breezes through the creatives having a meeting in the corner, past the professionals indulging in a martini lunch across the floor and settles somewhere between us and the Tswana local we are sharing a harvest table with.
A belt-busting tower of thick flapjacks leaves the kitchen- the generous scoop of ice cream already melting next to the grilled bananas that accompany the dish. Vanilla crumble, cape gooseberries and raspberries are sprinkled over this decadent dish and syrup is drizzled atop to finish.
I clumsily slice into my flapjack stack. My date's plate hasn't arrived yet. Normally I'd wait, but I decide it would be ruder to drool into my lap.
My first forkful is greedy but I appreciate that a sensible spread of caramel crème fraîche lies between each flapjack. Enthralled by the feat plated before me, I'm brought back by the arrival of my dates meal.
Not only does the curry smell glorious, the combination of flavours is perfect. There is a generous amount of spice and seasoning. Basil, coriander and red lentils are a match made in culinary heaven, and The Daily Grind has served a potion of this paradise in a cast iron dish. The fresh chili my companion has ordered adds an extra kick to the hearty dish. Had it not been for the soft feta cheese melting in the hot curry, it would be too much for me.
Three quarters into my meal I admit defeat. The sugar has made me jittery and the mimosa I'm drinking is getting me tipsy. To maintain composure I take a break from both. My date has enjoyed both his curry and mojito. Gaborone's legendary sunset has begun and I don't want to miss it. We quickly settle our bill and say goodbye to The Daily Grind Cafe and Kicthen, though even as I do I know it's only "See you soon."
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I could chew your ear off about all the great restaurants in Gaborone but we haven't got the time. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency Cafe deserves special mention. Read about my experience here.
During my food tour, a street vendor was generous enough to share their Beef Seswaa recipe with me. Trust me, the recipe is fool proof.
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