Swanky and plush café

If there is one person on this planet who deservedly has the Midas touch, it has to be Hajji Umar Mandela, the founder and group chairman of the Mandela Group of Companies. When I first made Hajji’s acquaintance, nine years ago, he was more renowned for dealing in tyres and spare parts with one important caveat, in terms of the latter; City Tyres were undisputedly the leaders of the pack without much competition of which to speak.
Within a span of a decade, they have become engaged in petroleum fuel activities albeit downstream and as a matter of fact, they happen to be the representatives, in the area, for the formidable and mighty Emirates National Oil Corporation based in Dubai. Such an enviable feather in the cap for the Mandela Group!
Today the City Oil brand is synonymous with the stellar Café Javas eateries. They are no fewer than seven, with each as meticulously planned and set up as the other. These guys spare no expenses when it comes to doing business in this cut throat industry. Thus it is no surprise that today they rightly lay claim to being primus interpares in this hospitality sector.
Lunch at any one of the several Café Javas is always a treat for us. As expected, our last visit to their latest jewel at the swank new and plush Kampala Boulevard owned by property mogul Sudhir Ruparelia was truly an enthralling experience and as rewarding as one might have desired and expected.
Kampala Boulevard is Café Javas latest and seventh offering and not unexpectedly, we were treated to a plethora of delicious oddities that were guaranteed to whet and fill even the most jaded palette.

The menu

For starters, the quesadillas have always been a favorite. These grilled Mexican fried tortilla chips are filled with shredded cheddar cheese and diced jalapeno (optional) and served with salsa and guacamole is never always a pleasurable treat.
As for the main course, so much from which to choose, but on this occasion the chicken parmesan served with pasta turned out the ideal laced with fresh oregano and homemade tomato sauce and superb handmade pasta you are guaranteed to become a convert and make it one of your preferred Café Javas choices.
When it came to desserts, the choices are numerous and to die for, but over time I have come to single out, love and relish their chocolate fudge that is not only generous in size but orgasmic in taste. It will always be a favourite and as sinfully delicious as it is, and so am I addicted to this immortal dessert.
In closing, needless to say the Mandela Group is not a one-man show and in that regard they are no exception. Indeed while fortune favours the brave, no man is an island.
As good fortune would have it, Hajji has groomed an efficient and dedicated team of directors who happen to be his siblings. I would be remiss in not mentioning the brothers Hussein Ahmed, Abdullahi Ahmed, Hassan Ahmed, Yasir Ahmed and sister Amina.
Through no small measure each one of these people play an important role in ensuring that the mighty Mandela Empire grows from strength to strength and the sky is the limit.

If you go...

The place: Café Javas, Kampala Boulevard
Smoke-free zone: Strictly enforced
Recommended items: Chicken parmesan served with pasta and the sinfully delicious chocolate fudge
Service: Excellent
Ambience: Chic and elegant
Open: Anytime seven days a week
Our rating: Not to be missed
Menu: Very trendy and eclectic with a cross section of favourite runners. These include burgers, Caribbean jerk, the country steak, and Javas House breakfast that will set you back a tidy Shs 25,500 and comprises a couple of farm eggs, home fries, sausages, beef strips, toast with butter and jam or marmalade, juice of your choice, and tea or coffee, omelettes, pancakes, waffles.
The space: Spacious, comfortable and upscale
The crowd: Middle class Ugandans and expats
The bar: Coffee, tea juice and smoothies but no alcohol
The damage: A couple can get by with around Shs 70,000 with soft drinks each
Sound level: Comfortable
Parking: Ample parking within the building
If you go: Daily