Grease Pit

Despite their name, the Grease Pit is one of the better places to eat and hang out when one is trapped in the NGO compound in Dadaab.  Located in CARE's compound many people migrate back and forth between here and the "new Pumzika" next door at UNHCR. 

There's always a good group of people to chat with around and currently the people watching is pretty entertaining as there has been a slew of random celebrities making their way through the "refugee safari." It's not Nairobi but between the sand between your toes and the random conglomeration of seating options, it's usually a fun night. Depending on the cds the bartender decides to bring there's usually some good music (trumping the usual strains of easy listening at the mess hall) and a slab of concrete to dance on. 

Mika Cafeteria

As I've completely given up on most Kenyans pronouncing my name correctly, I have resorted to going by Me-kah. So when my work colleague told me the local cafeteria was named that I knew I had to try it. On days that I don't hit up the street vendor outside the office for a 50 bob (~$0.65) fruit salad, you can find me grabbing a quick bite here.

Location: Hurlingham, it's on Argwings Kodhek between Rose Avenue and Woodlands in Roughton Plaza, across from Jabavu House and below Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant, next to a chemist (it's very much a hole in the wall and I had never noticed it before having it pointed out to me)
Price: "mini" meals start at 80 KSH (~$1) and larger portions are about 120 KSH (~$1.50)
Atmosphere: orderly (A strange term for a restaurant I know, but it's hard to describe.  The staff is polite and efficient but it's not somewhere you would necessarily linger.)

Kengeles

You may remember Kengeles from a previous post, Where to watch the World Cup.  This was a frequent haunt of ours during the games especially since it catered to the Dutch crowd and I of course went out in support of all my Dutch friends.  Kengeles on a non-sporting event night is a very different atmosphere than when jam packed full of rabid fans.

Dutch fans celebrating at Kengeles during World Cup 2010

Location: Lavington Green shopping center on James Gichuru
Price: 200 KSH (approx. $2.50) domestic beer, house wine; 500-1000 KSH (approx. $6.25-$12.50) entrees
Atmosphere: On weeknight evenings it is more subdued and the neighborhood hangout for area locals.

Gracia Gardens

Upon my return to Nairobi my organization put me up in a guest house in the Hurlingham area at Gracia Gardens.  The accommodations were lovely.  They were quite full the night I came in so I lucked out with a huge triple room with a bathroom ensuite, wifi, dstv, and sitting area.  My room overlooks the pool and garden and is lovely at night with the smell of flowers wafting in and the sound of the fountain.