Get high on sugarcane juice at health-conscious Bistro 41.

BISTRO 41 is a brand new restaurant in Breach Road, just opposite the Trauma Centre in Borrowdale. Tastefully decorated, spacious, and well lit, you would never guess it had been created from a high-quality shipping container. Open every day of the week for breakfast, lunch and dinner, it’s a welcome resource for many people working and living in this leafy northern suburb.

Decor at Bistro 41 is an unusual combination of stylish and casual. Elegant candelabra hang from bare wooden roof trusses, and the metal dining chairs with wooden plank seats are not super comfortable. In contrast are glass-fronted wooden cabinets displaying eye-catching objets d’art, and a small library stacked with adventure fiction novels by Wilbur Smith, some hefty tomes entitled Life and Letters Joseph Conrad, and a selection of really nice recipe and gardening books. A narrow entrance between the bookshelves leads to an alcove with a convenient wash hand basin.

Caesar salad at Bistro 41.

At the far end of the coffee shop, on either side of an antique armoire, are two large shabby chic Chesterfield couches, reminiscent of the iconic couch in the 90s comedy Friends. Visiting their regular hangout, Central Perk coffee shop in New York, this particular group of friends would sit on their favourite couch, which became a symbol of friendship , laughter and love. The convivial atmosphere at Bistro 41 makes it likely that similar groups of friends and colleagues will be drawn to the Chesterfields for regular meetings and cups of coffee.

Chicken Schnitzel at Bistro 41.

The menu offers a culinary diversity, ranging from chicken and chips, fish and chips, wraps and burgers, to lasagna, lamb chops, Mozambican prawn curry and dolmades served with Greek yoghurt. For a quick lunch, there are soups, salads and pizzas. Early birds can choose a healthy breakfast of granola, with fruit, yoghurt and

nuts, or indulge in a full English, with eggs, beef sausage, baked

beans, tomato, macon and toast. All meat serv

ed at Bistro 41 is halal-certified, ensuring a welcome to all members of society.

Caesar Salad, sometimes served as a first course, was large, attractively plated and included just about every ingredient required to make a showstopper Caesar Salad. Except for the anchovies. But there was plenty of chicken, heaps of macon, perfectly-timed hard boiled eggs and lashings of creamy salad dressing – more than enough to satisfy a hungry diner.

The ideal chicken schnitzel is juicy and tender, with an irresistibly golden crunchy exterior. But the schnitzel we were served was under seasoned and overdone, although the French fries were crisp, and the salad refreshing and colourful. A well made mushroom sauce was included in the price; some fine dining restaurants in Harare charge at least $5 to include a sauce with a main meal.

Bistro 41 on Breach Road.

Bistro 41 doesn’t serve alcohol, partly for health reasons, but you can get high on a glass of sugarcane juice, freshly made on site in a sugarcane juice machine. Flavoured with ginger and cooled with ice, this would partner well with any of the spicy currys on the menu. Freshly squeezed juices are also on offer, as well as coconut water, and an intriguing sounding charcoal infused black homemade lemonade.

As an aside, mention must be made of the loos, built on as an extension to the container structure of the restaurant. Pristine and spotless, with liquid soap, strong paper hand towels and hand cream available, the decor includes jungly Monstera wall paper and some flourishing pot plants.

After lunch we had time to spare, and moved to the couch where coffee and carrot cake were served, and we relaxed to the background strains of Hotel California, Dancing Queen, American Pie and other golden oldies. The cake was flavourful, and La Lucie coffee perfectly brewed by the barista.

The atmosphere at Bistro 41 is pleasant, friendly and relaxed, and prices in keeping with similar coffee shop and restaurants. Whether the comfortable couches and good coffee contribute to making it a favourite destination, remains to be seen.

A Matter of Taste with Charlotte Malakoff