Eastern Fusion

Now trending in Rhodes Park is the sheltered garden venue of ‘Eastern Fusion’. This Indian restaurant is run by the former proprietors of ‘Utsav Indian Restaurant’ in Livingstone. With so many new restaurants opening up in Lusaka, Eastern Fusion needed to distance itself from the usual while centering round the all important core of the classic Tandoor food service. To help with this, a lot of work went on design of the restaurant‘s indoor and outdoor lighting. During our normally sunny days not so important, but early evening and night bring on a fantasy parade of colour and shade to accompany your dining experience.

We settled for the “best chicken samoosas in town” while we looked through the menu. Our chosen meal opened with the haryali panner tikka kebab, suggested by the Chef whose experience ranges over 16 years back in traditional Punjabi cooking. This tasty skewered starter consists of the Indian ‘cheese’ cube marinated in mint, coriander and spinach paste before it is grilled in the tandoor. Our main dish was a spicy chicken tikka masala, complemented with a vegetarian dish in a milder creamy sauce.  I love rice, but had to go with my guests on the winning vote for the naan and chapattis which were baked to perfection. Hot pickles and accompanying drinks arrived from our watchful waitress with little effort on our part.

There are up to five distinct sections on the premises. The indoor bar has restaurant seating but you can also sit on the verandah and at the poolside. The larger garden area is screened by hibiscus and palms. Round the side of the main building there is a gaming area with a pool table.

The ambiance certainly lends itself very well to the corporate executive function or private birthday party with the convenience of a permanent outside bar area. The capacity is comfortable for cocktails for about 150 people. Although the food selection is wide, with lots of vegetarian and sea food options on the main menu ‘Special Menus’ can be provided by arrangement. But going back to our quiet meal with friends; we’d arrived not really feeling very hungry, but left ‘Eastern Fusion’ a couple of hours later with our plates wiped clean!

Eastern Fusion is on Joseph Mwilwa Rd, five minutes drive from Northmead’s shopping centre and you can call ahead on 0977 692-515 or 0975 208-942. The restaurant is open from 11 am throughout the week.

What We Sampled!*

Chicken samoosas – K20,000

Hariyali paneer tikka – K25,000

Chicken tikka masala – K35,000

Kadai paneer – K32,000

Green salad – 12,000

*Prices Inclusive VAT and Service Charge