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All Kenya Nairobi Embark Restaurant
AO Edited Gastro Obscura

Embark Restaurant

Farm-to-table East African-European cuisine is on the menu here.

Nairobi, Kenya

Added By
Barbara Woolsey
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A set of amuse-bouches.   @embark12_ used with permission
A set of amuse-bouches.   @embark12_ used with permission
Beautiful plating elevates every dish.   @embark12_ used with permission
The interior dining room is perfect for large celebratory dinners.   @embark12_ used with permission
These specialty vessels contain a delicious surprise.   @embark12_ used with permission
The exterior patio of the restaurant.   @embark12_ used with permission
Swahili Oolong tea pairs perfectly with a mango-coconut scone.   @embark12_ used with permission
Many of the dishes feature produce grown on the premises.   @embark12_ used with permission
Dinner prep at Embark.   @embark12_ used with permission
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About

In Karen, a leafy suburb of Nairobi, chef Dennis Ang’ani whips up a unique fusion experience for just 12 visitors per seating on a greenery-laden cabin terrace. The multi-course dining concept is primarily inspired by local produce and traditional East African recipes done up with culinary techniques picked up by Ang’ani abroad.

Root and vine vegetables are freshly plucked from Embark’s own gardens. Ingredients are showcased using European techniques, from foams to fermentation, with elaborate presentations, and occasional garnishes of flowers plucked from Nairobi’s Physic Garden.

Expect a walk on the earthy side: a chilled banana and rum soup with a garden salad in Bailey’s and macadamia nut vinaigrette, seared tofu in Ethiopian shiro (a spicy chickpea sauce), or mini plantain burgers. Vegetable-based desserts often tread into especially wild, savory territory; from Amarula-braised eggplant with aerated broccoli ice cream, to ugali (corn maize) with creamed spinach.

All in all, the menu reflects Ang’ani’s multicultural experiences. After growing up in a German-Kenyan household, he moved around Europe working in kitchens from the Baltics to Barcelona, and fluently speaks German, English, Swahili, and Spanish.

Though as a child he dreamed of becoming a pro soccer player in Europe, he maintains that bringing an innovative approach to the African fine-dining scene has been a more fulfilling challenge for him than any league could be; and even requires similar skills like dexterity, teamwork and performance under pressure. 

A picture of Coach Pep Guardiola, one of Ang’ani’s heroes, hanging from a wall-mounted handwoven basket, helps him to remember the importance of being a good leader and most importantly, to never be limited by conventionality and cultural borders.

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Chefs Restaurants Africa

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Embark keeps its digital profile low-key, with only Facebook and Instagram pages. Call ahead l to make your reservation.

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Added By

barbarawoolsey

Published

August 1, 2023

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Embark Restaurant
Nandi Road
Nairobi
Kenya
-1.315302, 36.707111
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Nearby Places

Karen Blixen Museum

Nairobi, Kenya

miles away

Bomas of Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya

miles away

Giraffe Centre

Nairobi, Kenya

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nairobi

Nairobi

Kenya

Places 11
Stories 5

Nearby Places

Karen Blixen Museum

Nairobi, Kenya

miles away

Bomas of Kenya

Nairobi, Kenya

miles away

Giraffe Centre

Nairobi, Kenya

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Nairobi

Nairobi

Kenya

Places 11
Stories 5

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