Paula’s charm, portions

JEKE AND FRIENDS

IT is easy to see why Paula’s place is mainly a guy’s hang out. Portions are large.  Huge in fact.
A steak was literally hanging off its plate at a neighbouring table.

And then there is Paula herself.
She is looking fabulous.
Sleek and slinky in a moulded gray mini dress, showing off her lovely legs in very high heels and with matching moulded haircut, she clearly charms her loyal clientele.
Paula has been in the new premises on Samora Machel in Eastlea for a couple of years.

Custom built in the same style, but much bigger and brighter, as her old Cais Cais, décor is eclectic to say the least.
Gleaming white tiles at the entrance bring to mind a public convenience (though its been many years since we’ve seen one of those — never mind such a clean one!).
Wooden colonial figures tower by the doorway offering trays of food.

Live palm trees in large pots enjoy the fresh spritzing piped continuously from high up on the walls.
Bar chairs are red plastic, table cloths red-checked gingham.

At night a waterfall of fairy lights makes the place a beacon even when power is down.
There is, what I find, an unfortunate penchant in Zimbabwe for large tables which don’t make for easy conversation especially in a cavernous space. 
We were five, so two tables were pushed together which really leaves you a long way away even from the person opposite you — never mind the one at the other end of the table — and conversation has to be shouted. 
Menu has been revamped in SA franchise style — laminated plastic with garish pictures of plates of food but no prices.
Last page lists all dishes with prices.

Back in the bad old Zim dollar days one couldn’t put prices directly on the menu as they changed too often,  so a separate printed sheet was common — but this page is not removable — so can’t really see the point.
Trademark still is the peri-peri chicken — US$25 for a whole chicken, US$12,50 for a half or a baby.
Various combos seem popular and two of our party tried the quarter chicken and calamari (US$17).
Calamari was surprisingly tender, sweet and delicious and I was sorry I hadn’t chosen it as a main (US$16).
Both found the chicken a bit dry and one pronounced Nando’s chicken juicier and tastier.

Oops!
Accompanying garlic sauce was good and there was a bottle of strong peri-peri on the table — with a little wooden dipping stick.
Starters include spring rolls (US$4,50) and samoosas (US$3,50) — also becoming ubiquitous in city restaurants whatever the ethnicity.
More Portuguese are the giblets and chorizo (US$4,50) and trinchado (US$7,50).
Omelettes strangely are included among the extras along with olives (US$5,50!), mushroom sauce (US$4), and Portuguese sauce (US$3).
Having seen the size of the portions — one friend asked for a half portion of prawns  (US$28,50 for a full plate) but this proved not to be possible — though she could get a prawn and calamari combo for $20.50.

I chose sole (US$16) but regretted it.
Overcooked and  stodgy it wasn’t at all the buttery delight I had in mind.
Greek salad (US$5,50) was okay but too much onion and came with creamy mayo-based dressing which we didn’t like.
Creative friend made her own with the garlic sauce and a squeeze of lemon.
Tartare sauce — accompanying the sole — also got a thumbs down.
Weren’t at all sure what carrots were doing in it and it lacked tang.

I’d say food quality has slipped and it wouldn’t be  our first choice for another ladies lunch though obviously still satisfies many.
g.jeke@yahoo.com