Sorry sir, food is finished.

The restaurant on the Ilala reminded me of some other classic restaurant experiences over here. (Going out to eat in Africa almost always provides some entertainment.) I thought I’d share some random anecdotes with you.

Nick walked into a restaurant in a large town in Tanzania (I forget where exactly) at 6:00PM.

“Could I have chicken with…”
“No!”
“Okay, could I have the chipati and”
“No!”
“ummmm”
“Sorry sir food is finished.”

The following incident took place one weekend on Cape Maclear at a fancy French restaurant.

Bert (a Dutch friend):“What’s in the herb omelet?”
Waiter: “Let me go ask the chef,” goes into the kitchen, comes back, “herbs.”
Bert: “What kind of herbs?”
Waiter: “Let me go ask the chef,” goes into the kitchen, comes back, “mixed herbs.”
Bert: “Are they fresh?”
Waiter: “Let me go ask the chef,” goes into the kitchen, comes back, “yes.”
Upon eating his omelet Bert was quite sure that the herbs came from a can.

The other day I asked for a beef burger with cheese at a restaurant in Mangochi. I was surprised to get a veggie burger, with no cheese. This was remarkable, since veggie burgers weren't on the menu.