Reviewed by Dave Jenkins
Occasionally in Kigali one finds a need for a quiet retreat evening. A place to enjoy good food, gentle music, and a relaxing enviornment. We’ve visited Restaurant Comme Chez Moi twice. Each time after a day where our stress levels were at max. Both times we came away thankful for the experience.
Comme Chez Moi is set slightly off the beaten path in Kigali’s neighborhood of Kimihura. It serves both French and Thai food. (Thai food is one of my comfort foods. I developed the taste from Thai friends I knew at graduate school. Our family seeks out Thai restaurants whenever we arrive at a new city.) Comme Chez Moi makes Kigali feel like home to us.
Reaching Comme Chez Moi is a bit of a challenge for those new to Kigali. There are no signs from Kigali’s main roads to point out its direction. If one were to come up the Cobblestone Road in Kimihurura, turn right at the first mirrum road past the Papyrus Restaurant. Go down the hill, turn left at the first left, and go about 50 meters to Comme Chez Moi.
Upon entering you will find a delightful lush garden. Locally made but quality bamboo chairs sit among the garden. A few mature trees are in the garden. A multiple of flowers and greenery create a restful welcome. The restaurant sits on a large veranda of a home. From such one can enjoy the garden view while being out of the elements. However, those desiring a break from Kigali’s cool nights can enter the home. The furniture is an enchanting mixture of local bamboo, iron, and light colored wood chairs and tables. The lighting is soft, but still such that you can see the food before you. Relaxing music is played that does not drown out conversation. Tasteful is the way to describe this enviornment.
My only critique of the environment is one that I have towards most establishments in Kigali. Despite Rwanda’s non-smoking laws, this restaurant is smoking tolerant. For non-smokers I would recommend that you find a quiet airy niche in the restaurant.
The staff is largely Francophone, and with my limited French skills communication is a bit of a challenge. However, they have a very accomodating attitude and with a little patience on both parts communication is possible. The staff is one of the most attentive that we have found in Rwanda. They have bright smiles make one feel welcome. Our glasses were rarely empty and they were quick to serve.
Thai food is a mixture of unique curries and sauces. The meat is cut in small pieces and quite tender. Sometimes it can be quite hot, but the coconut milk moderates it from fiery hot. We begin with Thai appetizers of Beef Satay in ground nut sauce and Tom Yam soup. Jana ventured out with the Tom Yam (a fish soup). Fortunately, she shared the soup with me after she convinced me how good it was. One of our main courses was a beef dish with a ground nut curry. The other was pork with a coconut curry. We also had an order of Thai noodles and rice. The food was just what we expected for quality Thai food. Our only disappointment was not having sticky Thai rice, but we assume that finding Thai supplies are quite a challenge in Kigali.
Dinner was followed by French dessert and coffee. We had a chocolate mouse and a carmelized crepe. Both were excellent. Our final bill was approximately 25,000 Rwandan Franks (approximately $45).
Comme Chez Moi is a delightful restaurant to spend an evening in Kigali. I recommend that new comers to Kigali find it, and make it one of the frequent places they go to unwind from a stressful day in Kigali.
