The Gathering

I always relish any opportunity to celebrate the good things of life and birthdays are no exception. A dear friend of mine was celebrating theirs recently and wanted to have a meal in an eclectic environment that was pretty chill and not far from her place. Naturally, I obliged to help find one such place and the Gathering, found in Lusaka’s Kabulonga area along Twin Palm road, seemed to tick all three boxes. I had never been to the Gathering so I looked forward to having a meal there. After all, it is advertised as a place of peace and love that would accommodate any gathering of friends.

Fun fact! The Gathering was the brainchild of four friends (an Algerian, a Canadian and two Lebanese) who crossed paths in Dubai and created a secret sauce that they would eventually use as their base for the signature meals served at the Gathering. The place was pretty mellow and the vibe was ripe for conversation. However, we had a few rough edges where the waiters were concerned, perhaps it was due to a shift change.

After some initial pleasantries and drink orders, we got to review their menu. It was largely burger and sandwich based with a yummy looking selection of ramekins, appetisers and salads. There was also a niche section of the menu dedicated to their signature beef, chicken or salmon options. We ordered the signature beef and chicken to taste the secret sauce that brought four friends together, and I ordered New York style cheesecake for the birthday girl.

Our food was served within a good space of time, but I was rather surprised by the presentation and size of the signature portion of my meal. The secret sauce was somewhat creamy and bland and it did not excite my taste buds, plus it just didn’t mesh very well with the beef, which tasted unseasoned too. The signature chicken tasted somewhat better but the general conclusion was that something was missing from the sauce and the meats. However, we all agreed that the New York style cheesecake was the redemption song that saved our dining experience as it had the right balance of favour and consistency, similar to the yummiest of cheesecakes I’ve eaten from Juniors in New York city. I will definitely be back to try the Steak, burgers or sandwiches but I will be sure to steer clear of the signature dishes as I fear they may be an acquired taste.

My Review:

Food: 🔪🔪🔪

Service: 🔪🔪🔪

Ambiance: 🔪🔪🔪🔪

Price Range: $ $ $