Beenie Man comes to Garwe

After a hectic night at the Old Hararians Sports Club where he did his “thang” to a house brimming with fans and revellers, Beenie Man’s next port of call was Garwe Restaurant in Eastlea.
Garwe Restaurant is an exclusive eatery in the serene Eastlea suburb off Robert Mugabe Road, a place which has become synonymous with an afternoon or evening retreat for the discerning individual or executive. The menu is dominated by mainly traditional dishes some of which you can no longer find at home.
Food is prepared using firewood and there is variety: Sadza remhunga (sorghum meal), rezviyo (rapoko) or the usual maize meal with muriwo wetsine (black jack relish) or une dovi (peanut butter) or even rabbit meat, you name it, it’s all on offer.
The visibly exhausted performer, who arrived with his entourage just after 3pm, definitely liked the place and certainly the peace as he took time to talk to patrons and staff as he waited to be served.
“I feel good to be here and it’s great to be here in Zimbabwe. It has been my dream to come here . . . see, I even have a video of Bob Marley when he came here. So for me, this is a great time of my life,” said Beenie Man.
Garwe opened some six years back and has proved to be the place to be. One good reason for that is this is a place you can go to and relax and have your meal in cool and natural surroundings.
As you walk into the yard, one striking feature about this place is the all green environs which are a reminder of a bushy adventure rather than a restaurant in an upmarket area.
The main features at Garwe are its stark reference to the traditional African lifestyle: From the grass thatched gazebos to the traditional cartes du jour on offer and the decor. You are even invited to use your hands to eat your sadza.
However, the place has become a stop-over for almost all the big names that visit the country and the capital despite the fact that alcohol is not yet on the menu. (You can choose to bring your own though). And Beenie Man is just one of them.
Managing director and proprietor, Mandy Mvukwe, said the joint is also ideal for corporate events or private functions.
“People can come to hold their corporate events here. Besides our main gazebo, we have another one with a capacity of 60 people,” said Mvukwe. “I can tell you that our busiest days are Thursdays and Fridays when people starting winding down in their offices.”
A basic meal goes for US$10, but you will certainly eat your feel without regrets.