Embrace splendour at Meikles

 I couldn’t find a programme anywhere, there was no advertising and if it hadn’t been for a doggedly determined friend, I wouldn’t have seen anything.
Eastgate is not a nice place to go at night when the comforting day time bustle of families jostling their large bags and smartly dressed children gives way to dank, unlit streets.
When the traffic lights don’t work, crossing the road is frankly terrifying but all was forgotten as soon as we were surrounded by excited youngsters dressed up for the movies and eating pizzas and ice creams in the foyer. (Where were the posters to introduce this potential audience to more serious films?)
The young man who organised the showings was unfailingly charming and most apologetic as he did his level best to sort out endless problems with no apparent backup and no hint of the director at the venue.
The Oyster and the Wind (Brazil) was on DVD as were all but three of the films but there were no subtitles until halfway through when the remote for the DVD player was found. Soul Boy, the Kenyan entry was changed from Monday to Tuesday at the last minute so we were to become well acquainted with Meikles Hotel!
Our first visit was for a cappuccino and shared a toasted chicken and mayonnaise sandwich in the foyer. This was on Tuesday  August  31st after watching The Sons of Francisco (also Brazilian), a film with great music, based on a true story about a dirt poor boy who becomes a highly successful singer.
On Thursday the parking outside Meikles was roped off. Akon was coming! We left to enjoy Jerichow a German film but the excitement of both the waiting youngsters and the Tourist Police was palpable. And after the film there were two policemen in full uniform at the table next to us in the Explorers Bar where we had a beer.
The bar offers cakes and pastries menu US$4-US$5, high tea at a hefty US$14 for two, sandwiches US$6-US$10, light meals such as a choice of quiches, burgers, Prego roll, Greek salad, Chilli con carne, a grilled steak, a pub platter and a choice of toast options US$2-US$8. Daily lunch specials are US$10.
After the enjoyable 5:30 film on Friday, which was the Spanish offering Cameron, we were advised that the Japanese film, All about our House, would no longer be shown at 8:30 so we decided to go to go back to Meikles to La Fontaine for dinner.
We were given a lovely table in the window and the streets below twinkled as a quartet played many of our favourite tunes. Our waiter was excellent but the food was a little disappointing: Farai’s tilapia was not cooked and had to be sent back, although Jenny’s fish was better, the vegetables were tasty and served piping hot. Batsirai said his steak with pepper sauce was good.
I’d been out to lunch so chose a Caesar Salad, without the poached egg as a main course but it came with copious quantities of grated Cheddar cheese rather than the advertised Parmesan.
With a couple of whiskeys the bill came to US$57 so overall the Spanish film was rather expensive! But hats off to the Spanish Ambassador who did at least attend the performance. But will her Embassy support this initiative next year after having seen such an abysmally organised and poorly attended performance this year?

– Meikles Hotel
Corner 3rd Street/Jason Moyo Avenue Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel: (263-4) 707721/251705
Fax: (263-4) 707754