Tamu Restaurant in Watamu, was birthed by Italian entrepreneur Roberto Lenzi who is also the owner of Crystal Bay, 7 Islands Resort and the beach bar restaurant Papa Remo in Watamu. Tamu restaurant beach club is perfectly located on the most beautiful serene beach of Watamu. The name Tamu is derived from Swahili language meaning Sweet; I concur!

“We decided to keep that name because we would love people to experience a sweet time as our customers. It’s an invitation to live a moment of pleasure-seeking and of beauty for the senses, not only for the food.” ~ Cecilia, Manager at Tamu Restaurant.

Tamu’s contemporary and cutting-edge style offers a classy and romantic ambience achieved by dim lights, slow classic music, natural wood and sleek white furniture which contrasts with the azure & green color of the sky horizon and of the Indian Ocean.  Moreover, its discreet location makes the restaurant a preferred Celebration and Special Occasion venue like birthdays and weddings.

What makes Tamu restaurant different from others in Watamu, is their bone fide creative culinary proposal of fusion cuisine. Technically, the fusion cuisine is an assortment of Mediterranean cuisines starting from Africa, embracing China, Japan, passing through Hawaii, to return to their origins, in the Mediterranean sea and to Italy. As a result, a variety of fresh meals, using the local food products to get an eclectic, intercultural wanderlusting experience to customers! Also, to promote the local food business.

The Head Chef, Diego, is the mastermind behind the aphrodisiac fusion cuisine.

Chef Diego professionally grew in Milan, and has worked as a food consultant globally which makes him a connoisseur of food; a food alchemist. To Diego, food has been a passion to him since he was a child inspired by his mother’s cooking.

“I like to think that a chef is like a senses alchemist that can make people feel good” says Diego Tosi.

According to Cecilia (Tamu’s Manager), Diego developed a very personal taste in the plates composition, that brings them into his preparations; a combination of his love for travels, people and the cultural melting pop. After a long experience in events, catering and working as executive chef in Milan, he was chosen by the entrepreneur Roberto Lenzi for Tamu, with the purpose of creating a creative and cosmopolitan cuisine experience in Watamu.

Cecilia also owns a Catering in Milan, Italy, which makes her the perfect Manager for Tamu Restaurant due to her expertise. What a strong team I must say!

My Tamu Experience

With special thanks to Roberto Lenzi, Cecilia and Diego, I had the pleasure of testing one of their fusion cuisines.

Tamu’s hot and cold mezze menu offers a variety of starters to kick start your appetite. A fine range of drinks and foods to suit all sorts of palates.

“Our proposal is enriched by a long list of international cocktail, both alcoholic and not, a good wine list, most of all from Italy (Casale del Giglio) and of course the cocktail drinks and shakes.” ~ Cecilia.

The fusion fare mezze included:

Starters

Truffle Crostini, Tomatoes Brushetta, Hummus, Fried Dumplings (Gnocco Fritto) and cucumber with spicy mayo.

Tropical Cocktail. Tamu has the best cocktails in town!

Main Meal

Octopus Carpaccio, Zucchini Crudites, Tapenade of sun dried tomatoes, citronette, and fresh rocket cream in healthy portions. Exotic sashimi of coral grouper, with leche de tigre with mango,maracuja, and fleur de lis flowers. Black rice uramaki with crab salad, cucumber, avocado, green curry paste and cashew nuts grain. Gyoza Japanese Ravioli with white fish and ginger with teriyaki sauce and wasabi sesame seeds.

PS: The Wasabi was Ho-Ho-HOootttTT!

Desserts

1. Pistachio chocolate salami and salted caramel ice-cream. 2. Marinated pineapple with quenelle of vanilla, ginger and cinnamon ice-cream, crumble biscuit, amaretti and fresh mint. 3. Maracuja sorbet basil, ginger caviar and drops of liquorice.

To my delight, the food was mouth-watering. Starting from starters to dessert, including their tropical cocktail. My taste buds were instantly aroused by their desserts which were oh! so foodgasmic, melting in my mouth. Needless to say, each dessert had its own magic! You must try one at least!

So, Peaches, my clumsy self tried using chopsticks for the first time to blend into the Japanese culture, but food went south, literally!

Diego, however, tried his luck of giving me a mini tutorial on how to hold chopsticks but as his student, I failed terribly.

Regardless, I congratulate myself for finally getting some food in my mouth using the chopsticks.  Shortly after the chopsticks hustle, I switched to my fork and knife eating like a proper adult. Grazie for the chopsticks tutorial Diego!

Tamu therefore will forever be memorable to me!

Cecilia, Tamu’s Manager (right) and Eunice, Tamu’s waitress (left)

Diego, Tamu’s Head Chef (left), Me (middle), Cecilia (right)

I would like to commend the whole Tamu team for a truly great dining experience; exquisite food quality, outstanding services and warm hospitality. The team conveys the grandeur and glory of the restaurant perfectly.

SURF AND TURF

Surf and Turf is a night grill on Tamu beach, every Saturdays from 6:30 p.m with music, and specialty cocktails. In Watamu, surfing and kite surfing are popular watersports and since there is a large European community, Surf and Turf is perfect for Aperetifs! Not to mention, JC Kitehouse is the best Kitesurfing School in town so expect the Kite Champions to be representing at Surf and Turf.

The “Surf and Turf” word expression comes from Los Angeles in the 70s and symbolizes the typical mixed plate of the wealthy American middle class. The original one, the “classic” one, is composed by lobster tail and beef fillet. So why not combine a little bit of Californian surfin’ spirit with the magnificent local fish and meat?” Exclaims Cecilia.

Tamu’s fusion plate comes with beef fillet, jumbo prawns, pork belly and buffalo chicken wings. They also offer the traditional Surf and Turf plate with lobster and beef fillet.

Tamu’s Surf and Turf setting has that Hawaiian theme with JC Kitehouse kiteboard and leis of plumeria flowers. The vibrant colors of the flowers pops the place giving it a tropical paradisiacal Hawaiian look and beats that gets you on a hula groove.

I would definitely recommend Tamu restaurant for those looking for pleasant moments  that will leave a mark in your taste buds and fun too! Aloha!

Live | Love | Laugh