Real 360 Degrees experience

The shops are smart and beautifully fitted. The car park is clean and feels safe and spacious. Yet there is a singular lack of buzz.
360 Degrees itself is tucked away at the end of the strip next to a faux, fibreglass waterfall – one of the attractive features of the development landscaping. It is a change to experience a custom designed restaurant. So many eating places in Harare are repurposed in surroundings that were usually ex-colonial homes. Many of those work very well and can be gracious places to dine but in a place that has been designed and built as a restaurant there are opportunities for more innovation and a distinctly modern feel. I liked the décor – classy grey and sepia to go with the huge old map of the world splayed on an inner wall reflecting 360 Degrees of latitude. Outside was also comfy with hardwearing weather proof wicker-look chairs in calming grey at teak tables under spacious umbrellas. 
There is a feature cosy bar with luxurious circular furniture and on the whole the décor is soothing and comforting, creating a sense of calm and rest. Toilets are ultra modern with small water saving cisterns – and a smoked glass picture window allows discreet light.
Every indication is that the place should be busy – but it wasn’t. On the Borrowdale Road side of the village restaurants continue to sprout – The Butcher’s Kitchen, O Hagan’s, Mekka, Leonardos all in a row and certainly patrons from Miller’s Café spill out on to the pavements.
Back of the mall is different and altogether quieter.
360 Degrees offers an interesting menu of starters including exotic combinations like butternut and orange soup, prawn and mussel ravioli, salmon ceviche, kudu carpaccio and jasmine smoked duck (all US$8) alongside such ordinaries as chicken giblets. (US$5)
I wasn’t as tempted by the grills – rumps, sirloin, ribs – though did wonder what a flatiron steak was and whether there really is someone out there who wants a gross sounding 600g steak for US$32! We liked the look of the meals available only at lunch time (US$10) – for example hake and serano ham and Portuguese bitoque but when we saw the seafood platter for two to share (US$32) – our choice became easy.
I realise how inflation has crept back when US$20 seems okay to pay for a meal out – one course only including drinks. Still, the platter was very good. Baby calamari (a proprietor told us that 360 degrees is the only place bringing them in) were tender and juicy. We also enjoyed the good sized grilled prawns and mussels served in a lovely creamy sauce. The fish was a bit disappointing, not easily identifiable and being rather bland needed the zip of the accompanying lemony butter and chillie sauce.
Other seafood options were prawns by the kilo (US$30 for one kilo, US$15 for half) salmon (US$20) and calamari (US$16) –  probably a very good choice judging by the quality of those on the platter.
Service was attentive but as discreet as the décor and we liked the homemade bread – an oversized Portuguese roll served on a board with olive oil and balsamic vinegar along with our drinks.
Deserts – classics like chocolate mousse and tiramisiu ranged from US$6 to US$8 and looked tempting. Next time.
I would like to go there for dinner and test the nighttime ambience and hope that daytime custom picks up. 
– g.jeke@yahoo.com