Jabulani

Back onto London Road proper we had a few choices, deciding to to ip, dip, do it the fates decided Jabulani, meaning ‘happy’, the newest restaurant on London Road serving African cuisine. We’ve had our eye on it for some time now but this has been the first instance that we’ve passed and it has been open (also Rhea had granted us permission to eat there without her). It was bright inside, highlighted by the emptiness, we were the only diners and feeling slightly awkward we were seated. It was an exciting experience perusing the alien menu, for once I had absolutely no idea what to order, having never eaten African food before. Despite thoroughly reading the descriptions we needed advise from the waitress, apparently I’d chosen cow offal, I’m glad she had helped as I think I would have been slightly perturbed by a plate full of innards. We chose Gizzard (turns out this is also innards, this time belonging to a bird) and Suya for starters, along with Pondu and Egusi accompanied with yams and plaintain. The waitress then went off to cook the food. Both of the starters arrived looking more or less the same, thin strips of meat on skewers, heavily seasoned with the few onions and peppers thrown in. My Suya was lamb meat and it tasted delicious, the Gizzard had a richer flavour, reminding me of liver, which I’m not particularly fond of though the seasoning was good on this also. The main courses were delivered and savoured, both tasted amazing, like a curry but without the heat. The plantain looked like a large banana that had been roasted or fried, it was great to eat with the Egusi and Pondu. The yams, like a bland potato was also a perfect accompaniment. The goat meat in the food was slightly tough but it was so full of flavour that it didn’t matter at all. I've nothing to compare the food to as I've not eaten anywhere else serving simliar food but I definately would again. The portion size was perfect as we managed not to feel ill after we had eaten. I can safely say the meal was great though the atmosphere was lacking, I’ll definitely be going back to try the food again, probably with more people to try and infuse the place with more ambience. This is a great addition to London Road, I just hope that not every night in Jabulani was like last night, so few customers can’t be good for business and this is a restaurant I’d like to see stay and visit again.