Kenya: Want a Real Sports Bar? Head Out to Langata

Gastrodenome

17 June 2011

Nairobi — Many entrepreneurs install a couple of TVs in the corners of their bars and call themselves a Sport Bar. Others go a step further and televise Classic Sports events by erecting temporary large screens.

Good enough, I suppose for attracting customers, but of course, the large screens are usually a hindrance and incongruent with the layout of the place.

Enter Blanco’s Sports Grill, a modern, state-of-the-art set-up with over 24 plasma screens that allows customers to watch a variety of sports at the same time.

No matter where someone is seated, there are at least two screens within view and possibly showing different sports. As you enter Blanco’s, you’ll come across a large rectangular bar which is so huge that it can easily sit 50-60 people along its perimeter.

In this space, there are large TV screens which are either wall-mounted or hanging from the ceiling.

Away from the bar along the walls there is more running seating with smaller TVs in front of the customers, at eye level, like computer screens.

At three corners of the overall space, there are separate large rooms with slightly privatized viewing space and comfortable conversation.

Not that with so many TVs the place is blaringly loud – amazingly the acoustics of the place have been well-designed to make this bar not overly noisy. My favourite area, while it is still relatively warm in Nairobi, is the open verandah facing the street outside. Again there is one big television at one end and fresher air.

The whole place is well-designed with comfortable furniture, be they bar stools or low tables with chairs, with a touch of class. No one comes as close to a true Sports Bar as Blanco’s Sports Grill.

Of course, creating a new, premier sports viewing entertainment venue as this, I expected the prices to be sky high to make up for the investment. I was, therefore, amazed that local beers start at Sh180, a premium whisky like Bushmills at Sh210 a shot and Absolute Vodka at Sh180 a shot.

The good imported brands such as Greygoose Vodka and Tanqueray Gin are priced at Sh300 and Sh210 a shot, making Blanco’s Sports Grill very affordable and a slap in the face of all these new spots coming up that feel justified charging Sh400 a shot of spirit! However, I’m a little disappointed at their wine selection.

The other Blanco’s on Argwings Kodhek Road has a good selection of wines by the bottle. This has probably got to do with keeping in line with low prices throughout at the new place; wine in this country attracts ridiculous taxes and it is difficult to keep the prices low. Here, they are rather mediocre in quality and yet a glass is priced at Sh360, while full bottles start from Sh1050, with the most expensive being Sh1350.

On the two occasions I have been there, the service has been good with smiling waitresses and helpful suggestions. The food on the other hand, has taken long to come and I wonder why as the menu is not haute cuisine, but, as befitting such a place, kind of casual and with a slight Tex-Mex influence.

Whether you’re in the mood for simple bar bites, or want to make a complete evening out of it, or are simply in the area and would like to partake in a light lunch, you’ll find something to match your mood. I’m so glad to see that it is not another Italian, or Continental or a Nyama Choma joint. Start with cassavachos, fried cassava crisps with melted cheddar cheese, tomato salsa, avocado and sour cream, with your first beer. Or the ‘Super Bowl’ Chicken Wings, which are grilled chicken wings sautéed in a spicy tomato and dhania sauce are also very good.

For a quick light bite, try the BSG (stands for Blanco’s Sports Grill) Burgers or McLaren’s Caesar Salad. I particularly enjoyed the Chili Dog – hot dog with ground Chicken with Chili, Kidney Beans and shredded Cheese.

Do take the advice on the menu seriously; when they tell you an item is chilli, it certainly is. Like the Potato Skins with Tomato “Hat Trick” Salsa, tomato salsa with basil and mozzarella cheese which should have tasted much better if they had allowed the cheese to melt a little, but it sure had some fire.

Also recommend the Chilli “Sombrero” Chicken, which was meant to be boneless, but was on the bone, but had a good peppery flavour, and definitely succulent.

After two visits, we have barely scratched the surface and have to try anything from specialties and pasta section. I envisage many more visits.

AllAfrica – All the Time