Lifestyle Caf brings refreshing cuisines

66681,Tobokani Baratang,, | Tuesday May 16, 2017 00:00

This is a story of a Gaborone-based citizen couple, Thato and Lebogang Tlape who have just ventured into restaurant business. Showbiz caught up with the couple recently at their place of operation. The eatery, christened by the couple, Lifestyle Cafe, is located at the Notwane tennis courts.

Thato explained to Showbiz that the idea to start this type of business was conceived in 2002 after setting up a catering company called Sublime Creations, that specialised in event management and catering services. “After working in South Africa for a while in the same industry, I came up with an idea of starting a restaurant and pub joint in Gaborone. After intensive market feasibility study, my husband and I decided to set up this unique but café with a colourful interior,” Thato said.

Bubbling with joy and excitement, Thato explained that the joint opened its doors in September 2016.

“Lifestyle Café has catchy and brightly coloured walls as you enter the restaurant. As well is a refreshing aroma of ‘new’ cuisine of mixed African foods. Meals serving counter greets your appetite with mixed variety of vegetables and all types of dishes a buffet can offer,” said an effervescent Thato, while darting hither and thither to show off Mexican style diner tables, chairs and sofas, comfortable enough to go an extra mile with dessert dishes, only on special request. “The interior set up of the dining lounge is motivated by an infusion of western and African print colours,” interjected Lebogang behind a watermelon smile.

Thato was quick to mention that Lifestyle Café offers other foods with recipes originating from various Western, American and European countries.

“Lifestyle Café is Botswana’s only restaurant with different tastes of food from the industry,” she said determinedly.

“We offer Batswana most loved traditional dishes such as seswaa balls as well as rosemary steamed bread, which we call madombi and herbed papa. These are also complemented by juicy beef roll ups as well as braised oxtail with corn and veggies,” Thato reveals.

She further touched on the importance of eating healthy, saying food nutrition is key to healthy living hence they adopted the various herbs to form part of their recipes. Lifestyle Café offers various platters for private and corporate functions. Supporting his wife in the industry, Lebogang, who is also the managing director of the company, said they will introduce al-carte, probably in March. “We deliver what you want at your convenience,” Lebogang said.

Lifestyle Café offers its customers a variety of entertainment and Wi-Fi while dining or quenching thirst with ice-cold beers and a variety of wines and top whiskies. 

The catering zone design at the café looks professional, even from a distance with foods presentation buffet complimenting the professional staff serving at Lifestyle Café.  According to Thato, the café offers a three-week menu in which they keep changing dishes. She said it helps them to maintain their customers’ demand for variety of tastes and for appetite.

“We also do catering services for weddings, luncheons, social parties, Board meetings and corporate events. Thato studied hospital management and worked for several hotels in South Africa, an experience that inspired her to start her own business back home.

She also attained catering skills while working at Inns Free in Gaborone. Her husband, Lebogang is a marketing expert and according to Thato, their experiences and skills came in handy in underscoring the importance of working together as a team, being a husband and wife.  “Yes, we are comfortable with each other and working together in this project has actually blossomed our love as a married couple,” Thato said confidently.