Lunchtime special to savour at Leonardo’s

A project designed to foster community spirit and help people get to know their neighbours, it also inspired hundreds of green-fingered citizens to cultivate vegetable patches to grow food for the feast.
Local farmers donated sheep, restaurants organised barbecues and ethnic groups provided traditional foods, including giant pots of curry.
The majority of Zimbos, as everyone knows, value their extended families, are mutually reliant on their neighbours, and are eager, from time to time, to take part in community-based projects. So the novel idea of breaking bread with everyone in your street could be rewarding and potentially great fun.
Given the dire food shortages suffered until a few months ago, it is little short of a miracle that Zimbos can now buy not only whatever foodstuffs their hearts desire, but could, in theory contemplate a bring and share feast in their neighbourhood for scores of guests.
In the past, restaurant owners were constantly challenged to come up with appealing menus based on pork chops, an occasional piece of beef steak and an over supply of coleslaw.
French fries were a luxury depending on the availability of cooking oil, rice was a treat, and seeing a bread roll on your plate was like finding a pearl in your oyster shell.
Some restaurateurs closed their doors and went on holiday; some catered for a handful of clients, while others gave up the unequal struggle and closed their doors for good. For owners who are still in the game, the pricing of meals has become an important issue.
Accustomed to speaking of trillions, quadrillions and gazillions of dollars, it is taking longer than it should for some Zimbos to appreciate the value of the US dollar.
Visitors to South Africa are astounded by the comparison of the costs of eating out — for US$15, average price for a Sunday buffet in Harare, an upmarket restaurant in Sandton City will present a veritable feast of luxury foodstuffs.
Gradually, the cost of eating out in Harare is coming down, as pro-active owners calculate a reasonable profit for themselves, while ensuring that as many prospective customers as possible can afford to visit their establishments.
Daniel Marini, recently voted Personality of the Year at the Cheeseman’s Zimbabwe on a Plate awards, has introduced a US$10 two-course lunch at Leonardo’s, his restaurant in Borrowdale, and business is brisk.
Last Saturday I took the wise precaution of booking a table for four, and George and I invited friends Tim and Moosa to join us for lunch.
>From a tasty selection of starters included in the lunchtime special, I chose butternut soup. It was hot, flavoursome and creamy, and quite the best I have eaten in the last few months.
Every restaurant in town makes butternut soup, but the quality and taste varies widely. George ordered Haloumi cheese; Tim and Moosa opted for pastry triangles filled with feta and spinach. I thought the pastry triangles looked thin and pale and felt I had made a good choice with the soup.
With the exception of Tim, we all ordered piri piri chicken, offered in varying degrees of chilli power of mild, medium and hot.
There was also a choice between baked potato, rice and French fries, while creamed spinach and steamed carrots accompanied every main course.
I requested “hot” chicken and French fries, and have seldom enjoyed such a delicious meal. The large half chicken was grilled to perfection, expertly spiced, and might have won prizes at any cook off in Mumbai.
Tim’s pork Vindaloo, however, looked pale and uninteresting, unlike the rich and fiery variations seen on TV, beneath the coconut palms of Goa.
Although dessert was not included in the US$10 special, Moosa and I both ordered smooth and creamy crèmes brulee, at US$5. An aromatic cup of coffee would have rounded off this delightful meal, but the flavour of my filter coffee was disappointing, and Tim thought his cappuccino watery.
Every table at Leonardo’s was taken, which was good practice for anyone wanting to organise a Big Lunch in their neighbourhood. Paul Twivey, CEO of Big Lunch, says that our neighbourhood is the “biggest untapped source of practical help and happiness in our lives”.
So visit www.thebiglun-ch.com or http://www.thebiglunch.com for tips on how to organise your own event, or visit Britain in July 2010 to see how it’s done.
Leonardo’s Restaurant
Sam Levy’s Village
Borrowdale
Tel: 883158

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