Comments on: Artcaffe Nairobi Personal Review | Trendy cafe Nairobi Art Cafe http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/ Jesus Christ is my Teacher! Discover my thoughts and expressions through Photography, Design and Teaching in Schools. Tue, 07 Feb 2012 14:20:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mimi http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-43939 Mimi Fri, 27 Jan 2012 05:17:01 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-43939 Thank you for this. I have a lunch date with a friend at Art Caffe, Westgate Mall. It's around 8:00a.m, and we are scheduled to meet at 1:30. Definitely changing plans and going to Java instead. I wanted to try Art, as I've always ignored it, but in reading the reviews my best bet would be to forget it. Thank you for this. I have a lunch date with a friend at Art Caffe, Westgate Mall. It’s around 8:00a.m, and we are scheduled to meet at 1:30. Definitely changing plans and going to Java instead. I wanted to try Art, as I’ve always ignored it, but in reading the reviews my best bet would be to forget it.

]]> By: Irene http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-29773 Irene Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:55:41 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-29773 Surprised and shocked to read some of the stuff above. Very bad for a foreign group operating in Kenya to be racist! I enjoy the place as it reminds me of home, the coffee and wine is good and the music is atmospheric. I have noticed however that the food is substandard, comes in small portions and is very much overpriced. Staff is friendly, but slow. Management I have not personally had to deal with. In summary I would recommend ArtCaffe if you'want a drink or coffee or a pastry and are not in a hurry! For anything else there are better venues in Nairobi Surprised and shocked to read some of the stuff above. Very bad for a foreign group operating in Kenya to be racist!
I enjoy the place as it reminds me of home, the coffee and wine is good and the music is atmospheric. I have noticed however that the food is substandard, comes in small portions and is very much overpriced. Staff is friendly, but slow. Management I have not personally had to deal with.
In summary I would recommend ArtCaffe if you’want a drink or coffee or a pastry and are not in a hurry! For anything else there are better venues in Nairobi

]]> By: Keely Routhier http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-29397 Keely Routhier Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:23:27 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-29397 Great work! This is the type of information that should be shared across the internet. Shame on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =) Great work! This is the type of information that should be shared across the internet. Shame on Google for not positioning this publish higher! Come on over and visit my web site . Thanks =)

]]> By: peter http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-29287 peter Wed, 14 Dec 2011 19:45:03 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-29287 Was last at Westgate about a year ago one early morning. I ordered a double cappuccino but it took three waiters and 45 minutes to get my double. Meanwhile others with a different skin color came and were served very very quickly. I concluded that I was treated differently because of my skin colour. When leaving, I made them know and even asked for the managers number. I was given a name, a Mr. Sagi Vaknik but he didn't care to take my call. So I swore never to step in there again. At my 'local', I get treated very well and I tip the waiters very generously. Was last at Westgate about a year ago one early morning. I ordered a double cappuccino but it took three waiters and 45 minutes to get my double. Meanwhile others with a different skin color came and were served very very quickly. I concluded that I was treated differently because of my skin colour. When leaving, I made them know and even asked for the managers number. I was given a name, a Mr. Sagi Vaknik but he didn’t care to take my call. So I swore never to step in there again. At my ‘local’, I get treated very well and I tip the waiters very generously.

]]> By: excel http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-29145 excel Mon, 12 Dec 2011 23:27:11 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-29145 Beware Of Artcaffe On Saturday 10th December 2011 at 2.21pm, I met my Business Partner and Her friend at the Artcaffe in Junction Nakumatt Mall, Nairobi, Kenya. This was my first time to visit this establishment. My Business Partner and I sat at a separate table from her friend as we were discussing our business. After an hour, we paid for our drinks and snacks and left Artcaffe. We then went to the basement where I had packed my new Audi A4 to show them some handbags I had brought from London for my Business Partner. As they both looked at them (in my boot), 2 big burly men appeared from nowhere and asked us in very intimidating tones what we were doing. Before I could even answer those 2 KK Security men and a tall older looking Middle East man materialized. At this point I thought that we were either being car jacked or something was very wrong. The 3 of us were shaken and wondering what was going on, I quickly explained that I was showing my 2 friends my new handbags. The Middle East man asked me to lock the boot and come aside. I did as he asked and my friends were standing on one side of the car and I was standing on the other with the Middle East man. He explained to me that we were suspected of stealing a hand bag and laptop from Artcaffe and they had CCTV footage proving this. When I looked at him in disbelief, and asked him if we could go and see the CCTV footage he agreed. At this point 5 more KK Security men appeared and we were frog marched all the way to the Artcaffe. When we got there I demanded to see the CCTV footage, the Middle East man again pulled me aside and told me that I was not a suspect and that it was my business partner’s friend who was. I told him that if that was the case I still wanted to see the footage and that I could not leave them. After much confusion of whom had the footage, a short Middle East man accompanied by 2 Middle East women came with a laptop and the older tall Middle East man asked us to go to a handbag shop opposite Artcaffe to see the footage. When we got there, they then refused to show us the footage and told us that we were free to go. The old Middle East Man explained that it was a case of mistaken identity and that the handbag and laptop (which belonged to a tourist) had been stolen on 5th of December 2011.(please note, the 3 of us were not even in Nairobi on this date). I looked at the elderly Middle East man in disbelief and asked him if he was the owner of Artcaffe, of which he vehemently denied that he was NOT and that he was a shop owner at the Mall and that we was trying to ‘assist’ us and the Artcaffe solve this issue. At this point a crowd of people and more KK Security had gathered round us. I then confirmed with him again if we were free to go as we were not the suspects and he categorical said YES! Disgusted and tired of the whole ordeal I asked my friends we leave and file a complaint later for this harassment. As we approached the main exit/entrance of the Junction Mall, 5 KK Security men, stopped us and told us we were still suspects and that we should wait for the police to come. I could not believe this nonsense, a Commander appeared in a KK Security Car with 3 other Security guards and blocked the exit/entrance and surrounded us and told us that we could not leave. I explained to him what had transpired in the last 1hour. He then told me that the Elderly Middle East man was actually the owner of Artcaffe and that he had told the KK Security that he did NOT want Kikuyus (a major tribe in Kenya) in his premises as they are thieves and that he was 99% sure my business partner and her friend resembled the suspects in the video footage. At this point it dawned on me that my business partner and her friend were not dressed according to the Artcaffe standard and they did not fit the so called urban chic criteria that can afford a meal at the Artcaffe. And I had been left out as I looked the part and drove an Audi A4! The most ironic thing is that my Business Partner owns a very big NGO in Kenya that is supported by very many affluent people including 10 businessmen whose businesses are listed on the New York Stock Exchange! To cut the long horrible ordeal short, we waited for 1.30 Hours for the Police to come, the police saw the footage of which they said that it was so unclear that one could not see the faces of the thief that stole on the 5th of December 2011(Please note it was only 1 thief not 3!) We went to the nearest Police station (Muthangari Police Station) and wrote statements (although the Police insisted I was not a suspect) but I insisted on doing one as I do NOT Trust Artcaffe. The reason is that if the Owner can Lie to us with a straight face what can he do if given the chance??? My friend I urge you to please boycott this establishment that harasses innocent Kenyans, Racist, Classist and I strongly believe that we do not need foreigners (who we welcome with open hearts) to insight tribal HATRED in a Country that is only getting over the last Post Election Violence as we approach another Election. Please pass this on. By Becky Karanja, a London resident. Beware Of Artcaffe

On Saturday 10th December 2011 at 2.21pm, I met my Business Partner and Her friend at the Artcaffe in Junction Nakumatt Mall, Nairobi, Kenya. This was my first time to visit this establishment.

My Business Partner and I sat at a separate table from her friend as we were discussing our business.

After an hour, we paid for our drinks and snacks and left Artcaffe. We then went to the basement where I had packed my new Audi A4 to show them some handbags I had brought from London for my Business Partner. As they both looked at them (in my boot), 2 big burly men appeared from nowhere and asked us in very intimidating tones what we were doing. Before I could even answer those 2 KK Security men and a tall older looking Middle East man materialized. At this point I thought that we were either being car jacked or something was very wrong.

The 3 of us were shaken and wondering what was going on, I quickly explained that I was showing my 2 friends my new handbags. The Middle East man asked me to lock the boot and come aside. I did as he asked and my friends were standing on one side of the car and I was standing on the other with the Middle East man. He explained to me that we were suspected of stealing a hand bag and laptop from Artcaffe and they had CCTV footage proving this.

When I looked at him in disbelief, and asked him if we could go and see the CCTV footage he agreed. At this point 5 more KK Security men appeared and we were frog marched all the way to the Artcaffe. When we got there I demanded to see the CCTV footage, the Middle East man again pulled me aside and told me that I was not a suspect and that it was my business partner’s friend who was. I told him that if that was the case I still wanted to see the footage and that I could not leave them.

After much confusion of whom had the footage, a short Middle East man accompanied by 2 Middle East women came with a laptop and the older tall Middle East man asked us to go to a handbag shop opposite Artcaffe to see the footage. When we got there, they then refused to show us the footage and told us that we were free to go. The old Middle East Man explained that it was a case of mistaken identity and that the handbag and laptop (which belonged to a tourist) had been stolen on 5th of December 2011.(please note, the 3 of us were not even in Nairobi on this date).

I looked at the elderly Middle East man in disbelief and asked him if he was the owner of Artcaffe, of which he vehemently denied that he was NOT and that he was a shop owner at the Mall and that we was trying to ‘assist’ us and the Artcaffe solve this issue. At this point a crowd of people and more KK Security had gathered round us.

I then confirmed with him again if we were free to go as we were not the suspects and he categorical said YES!

Disgusted and tired of the whole ordeal I asked my friends we leave and file a complaint later for this harassment.

As we approached the main exit/entrance of the Junction Mall, 5 KK Security men, stopped us and told us we were still suspects and that we should wait for the police to come.

I could not believe this nonsense, a Commander appeared in a KK Security Car with 3 other Security guards and blocked the exit/entrance and surrounded us and told us that we could not leave. I explained to him what had transpired in the last 1hour.

He then told me that the Elderly Middle East man was actually the owner of Artcaffe and that he had told the KK Security that he did NOT want Kikuyus (a major tribe in Kenya) in his premises as they are thieves and that he was 99% sure my business partner and her friend resembled the suspects in the video footage.

At this point it dawned on me that my business partner and her friend were not dressed according to the Artcaffe standard and they did not fit the so called urban chic criteria that can afford a meal at the Artcaffe. And I had been left out as I looked the part and drove an Audi A4!

The most ironic thing is that my Business Partner owns a very big NGO in Kenya that is supported by very many affluent people including 10 businessmen whose businesses are listed on the New York Stock Exchange!

To cut the long horrible ordeal short, we waited for 1.30 Hours for the Police to come, the police saw the footage of which they said that it was so unclear that one could not see the faces of the thief that stole on the 5th of December 2011(Please note it was only 1 thief not 3!)

We went to the nearest Police station (Muthangari Police Station) and wrote statements (although the Police insisted I was not a suspect) but I insisted on doing one as I do NOT Trust Artcaffe. The reason is that if the Owner can Lie to us with a straight face what can he do if given the chance???

My friend I urge you to please boycott this establishment that harasses innocent Kenyans, Racist, Classist and I strongly believe that we do not need foreigners (who we welcome with open hearts) to insight tribal HATRED in a Country that is only getting over the last Post Election Violence as we approach another Election.

Please pass this on.

By

Becky Karanja, a London resident.

]]> By: Irene http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-28888 Irene Sun, 11 Dec 2011 05:28:16 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-28888 Innocent Kenyans Beware of Artcaffe Restaurant at Nakumatt Junction! Here is what is going on in this restaurant. You get in there especially being a Kenyan born woman. When you take whatever you are having in this restaurant, you pay your bill, and leave. Behind you there is a jewish guy who is part of Artcaffe management who comes with guys in cilivilians who first just walk to where you have pa...rked your car and appear to you. The approach itself make you think they are carjackers or criminals because of the kind of picture they portray to you. The jewish guy come pretending how calm he is and ask you to follow him to go and see cctv of the pictures of people who have stolen stuffs and identifiy to him whether you know the thieves they claim to appear on the cctv. From there please realise you become a victim of being accused to be one of the thieves. Since you are innocent, you follow this jewish guy back to artcafe and here he has another jewish guy who is one fo the restaurant manager/supervisor(whatever he might be) and he comes out with a laptop to show you the pictures he claim to have and as you are waiting to see the cctv, the guy disappear with the laptop and you are sorrounded by security at Nakumatt and the kenyans and foreigners who are there. Your character and image get tarnished by artcafe management of accusations they have no evidence about and when the jewish guy realise that you are annoyed and upset with him, he promise you for a dinner like you cannot afford to buy dinner for yourself despite you paying your bills earlier in the same restaurant. When you call your collegues to come and see the whole drama, then they disappear inside the restaurant.All Kenyans, beware you might fall under this trap anytime at artcafe at Nakumatt Junction and find yourself at the police station recording a statement. Since this hotel is full of all kind of cultures in the world, you wonder why you become a victim just because you are Kenyan.Is such a big shame for a whole restaurant to operate like they are on the streets and a senior staff at artcaffe to even lie that he does not belong to artcaffe but he lies he owns one of the shop inside Nakumatt Junction premises. What ...a shame for their scamming! You know what else they are doing? the same guy who seem to be in charge of the same artcaffe is coming with a bag where you are seated and he leaves it there and setting you up to see whether you will take the bag he has plotted on you. What a stupid operation he is using and you wonder why he thinks everyone who walk in that artcaffe restaurant is a thief. Innocent Kenyans Beware of Artcaffe Restaurant at Nakumatt Junction!
Here is what is going on in this restaurant. You get in there especially being a Kenyan born woman. When you take whatever you are having in this restaurant, you pay your bill, and leave. Behind you there is a jewish guy who is part of Artcaffe management who comes with guys in cilivilians who first just walk to where you have pa…rked your car and appear to you. The approach itself make you think they are carjackers or criminals because of the kind of picture they portray to you. The jewish guy come pretending how calm he is and ask you to follow him to go and see cctv of the pictures of people who have stolen stuffs and identifiy to him whether you know the thieves they claim to appear on the cctv. From there please realise you become a victim of being accused to be one of the thieves. Since you are innocent, you follow this jewish guy back to artcafe and here he has another jewish guy who is one fo the restaurant manager/supervisor(whatever he might be) and he comes out with a laptop to show you the pictures he claim to have and as you are waiting to see the cctv, the guy disappear with the laptop and you are sorrounded by security at Nakumatt and the kenyans and foreigners who are there. Your character and image get tarnished by artcafe management of accusations they have no evidence about and when the jewish guy realise that you are annoyed and upset with him, he promise you for a dinner like you cannot afford to buy dinner for yourself despite you paying your bills earlier in the same restaurant. When you call your collegues to come and see the whole drama, then they disappear inside the restaurant.All Kenyans, beware you might fall under this trap anytime at artcafe at Nakumatt Junction and find yourself at the police station recording a statement. Since this hotel is full of all kind of cultures in the world, you wonder why you become a victim just because you are Kenyan.Is such a big shame for a whole restaurant to operate like they are on the streets and a senior staff at artcaffe to even lie that he does not belong to artcaffe but he lies he owns one of the shop inside Nakumatt Junction premises. What …a shame for their scamming! You know what else they are doing? the same guy who seem to be in charge of the same artcaffe is coming with a bag where you are seated and he leaves it there and setting you up to see whether you will take the bag he has plotted on you. What a stupid operation he is using and you wonder why he thinks everyone who walk in that artcaffe restaurant is a thief.

]]> By: Sue http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-25286 Sue Wed, 02 Nov 2011 09:26:39 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-25286 What do you mean it must be the best place to work in the country?? A restaurant? Are you saying that all of the extremely educated people in Kenya can only aim to work in a restaurant?? Or did you mean the best place for a 'waiter' to work??? What do you mean it must be the best place to work in the country?? A restaurant? Are you saying that all of the extremely educated people in Kenya can only aim to work in a restaurant?? Or did you mean the best place for a ‘waiter’ to work???

]]> By: Nick Immonje http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-24979 Nick Immonje Wed, 26 Oct 2011 06:13:29 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-24979 Greetings! Is there any way I can reach the management of this establishment? It's about an investment opportunity. Any help in this regard would be immensely appreciated. Thanks! Nick Greetings!

Is there any way I can reach the management of this establishment? It’s about an investment opportunity. Any help in this regard would be immensely appreciated.

Thanks!

Nick

]]> By: Geoffrey Ng'ang'a http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-24689 Geoffrey Ng'ang'a Thu, 20 Oct 2011 14:21:36 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-24689 Dear sir/madam, Am Geoffrey kenyan male and mine probably is about a request whether you can find a post for a waiter in your highly esteemed coffee cafe. What really drives me most is quality standard which really thrills my desire to be part and personal one of you. It's my delightful hope that my desire and prayer will be met as i highly and patiently await for your response. 0712868559. Best regards, Geoffrey. Dear sir/madam,
Am Geoffrey kenyan male and mine probably is about a request whether you can find a post for a waiter in your highly esteemed coffee cafe.
What really drives me most is quality standard which really thrills my desire to be part and personal one of you.
It’s my delightful hope that my desire and prayer will be met as i highly and patiently await for your response.

0712868559.
Best regards,
Geoffrey.

]]> By: Haggar Muller http://trcwest.com/blog/me/artcaffe-nairobi-personal-review-trendy-cafe-nairobi-art-cafe/comment-page-1/#comment-24412 Haggar Muller Fri, 14 Oct 2011 19:12:54 +0000 http://trcwest.com/blog/?p=209#comment-24412 I agree with u Mr. Waesley. I happened to be at the kithens hotpass & what I saw was unbeliavable. The cheffs were fast & furious. I'd advice any one in search for very quality chefs to eye them because they've got speed accuracy and their quizine is mouth watering I agree with u Mr. Waesley. I happened to be at the kithens hotpass & what I saw was unbeliavable. The cheffs were fast & furious. I’d advice any one in search for very quality chefs to eye them because they’ve got speed accuracy and their quizine is mouth watering

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