UK: A new African themed restaurant serving springbok steak, ostrich rump and crocodile burgers is opening in Birmingham.
Nakira Bar and Grill is opening next Tuesday, August 1, on John Bright Street on the site of Lobster Peninsula which closed suddenly in May.
Expect to see Zulu shields and masks on the wall and safari animal decorations. It will also be kitted out with a braai – a South African large barbecue grill on which to cook game meats.
It looks like it will be an interesting addition to the growing list of quality Birmingham restaurants.
The menu will include dishes like grilled Boerewors, a traditional South African sausage, and biltong, strips of spiced and dried meat.
There will be burgers and chips from made from alpacas, ostrich and crocodiles. The menu says: “Crocodile meat is very juicy and tender meat with a firm texture and is low in cholesterol.”
Or for the faint-hearted there’s Aberdeen Angus beef. Also available is Springbok steak and jerk chicken skewers served with chakalaka, a South African dish of spicy tomato, pepper and beans.
Jollof rice, dumplings and rice and peas are sides.
Also features is the huge Nakira Braai, made for sharing, which includes Boerewors, beef steak, peri peri chicken skewer, jerk chicken skewer, chicken wings, large black tiger prawns and corn on the cob.
The cocktail bar will serve Nakira Martinis as well as an Amarula Martini, made with the South African liqueur.
The eatery is now under new management and owner Dexter Lasswell, originally from Zimbabwe, has invested £100,000 in turning Lobster Peninsula into Nakira.
He says: “I saw a gap in the market for an African themed game and grill restaurant and thought it was too good an opportunity to miss.
“The venue is stunning and I wanted to turn it into a place where people can enjoy a relaxed African dining experience in elegant surroundings but without the high prices.Advertisement

“It will have a fun, friendly and modern vibe with a nod to traditional African furnishings.”
The restaurant manager Nuno Pedro previously worked at Harvey Nichols Restaurant.