A new restaurant catering to fish and seafood lovers, Prime Catch, is tucked away in the newest section of East Park Mall. I enjoyed a four-course dinner curated by Head Chef Michael, and I will tell you this was the best seafood experience I have had in Lusaka. And the cherry on top is that Prime Catch is wholly Zambian owned.
Prime Catch offers a calm, relaxing vibe with a marine theme running through its aesthetic. Diners come here to socialise and for business meetings; the space is perfect for corporate lunches and dinners.
I was welcomed and ushered to my table by a lovely waitress, Dora, who was well-versed with the menu, friendly and an overall joy throughout the night.
My first drink of the night was the fat orange, a blood orange gin-based cocktail with peach, muddled mint and ginger ale. It is named after Chef Michael because, according to him, he is fat and loves oranges. And boy! Did the fat orange pack a punch. Prime Catch’s house gin, Whitley O’Neill, is a handcrafted premium gin inspired by the best flavours and ingredients from around the world, such as hibiscus and lemongrass. Gin lovers have a wide selection of gin-based cocktails to choose from.
For my starter, I had the Greek-style grilled Patagonia squid with lemon butter and fresh herbs. It was entirely delicious; I cleared every morsel off the plate.
Next, I had two sushi mains: Zam flame picked by Chef Michael – crispy salmon rainbow rolls with avo, served with sweet chilli sauce. In an exciting display, flamed honey, vodka and soy were poured over the sushi and topped with shredded carrots and cucumber. This added an element of pageantry to my night; it was served with a show and smile. This was quite an entertaining experience, seeing sushi being torched right in front of me! More importantly, it was tasty and incredibly filling!
Dora suggested the catch crunch, with tempura and spicy mayo next, which was the night’s showstopper. The sushi was so fresh and delicious that it exceeded my expectations. Aware of the two courses ahead, I decided not to finish the sushi, much to my regret later. With food that good, I could’ve certainly eaten it all.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
To wash down the delicious sushi, Prime Catch’s unique take on a strawberry daiquiri, the field of strawberries cocktail, had white rum, lime juice and frozen strawberries.
After that, I was served the river rump, a local take on ‘surf & turf.’ Chef Michael explained the name was a nod to the fact that we have rivers and not oceans in Zambia. The dish consisted of rump steak topped with three tiger prawns drizzled with garlic butter sauce and served with fries.
Next, I had the Richie rich cocktail, named after one of Prime Catch’s bartenders – gin, lemongrass, honey, triple sec and lemon and lime!
The last and sweetest course of the night was the Ouma Linda – deconstructed spiced apple pie served with cinnamon Chantilly cream and ice cream. Art on a plate, the gorgeous presentation tantalised my tastebuds! The mouthwatering first bite of the warm apple pie paired with the biscuit crumble and cold ice cream felt like a flavour explosion. The dessert was decadent and comforting.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The consistency in the food and service had me wanting more! The entire experience was well worth it, from the exquisitely curated food meal to the quirky cocktail names and the cheeky decor bits. All dishes and drinks, as well as the service, were excellent throughout.
Succulent Seafood and more
The recently opened Prime Catch is located at East Park Mall in Lusaka and has quickly become the go-to place for lovers of fresh fish and seafood dishes. From sushi to bream to poke bowls, gastronomes will find a large variety of food to choose from. Prime Catch also serves steaks, chicken dishes and vegetarian options. Prime Catch offers a range of decadent desserts for those with a sweet tooth. So, while the restaurant specialises in fish and seafood, Chef Michael accommodates all needs. But whatever you choose, you’ll be hooked on Prime Catch’s fare. There are both indoor and al fresco dining options available.
Prime Catch is a sister restaurant to Prime Joint, also located at East Park. Both Prime Catch and Prime Joint are proudly Zambian-owned.
Good Vibes
Prime Catch isn’t just about good food but also having a good time in an inviting and thoughtfully designed space. It has a casual, relaxed vibe and is ideal for social or business meetings. The aesthetics are minimalist quirky and playful. If you are looking for positive vibes, delicious food and excellent service, make Prime Catch your next stop!
Images courtesy of Prime Catch
