It was one of those bright, sunny Fridays that instantly lift your mood — the kind that feels even better because it falls on a public holiday. When a holiday lands on a Friday, you already know the weekend will feel longer, slower, and a little more special. I wasn’t working that day, but my mind was far from rested. Motherhood, daily responsibilities, and life in general had me feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin. In this Wine Box Karen review, I’m sharing how a spontaneous birthday lunch turned into a much-needed moment of reconnection — and whether the experience was truly worth it.
Motherhood, daily responsibilities, and life in general had me feeling overwhelmed and stretched thin.
To be honest, I was so caught up in survival mode that I had completely forgotten something very important — my partner’s birthday was the next day.
That morning, he casually asked me what the following day was.
“Saturday,” I replied confidently, not realizing I was missing the point entirely.
He smiled and gently corrected me, explaining that it wasn’t just any Saturday — it was his birthday. He suggested that we step out for a lunch date and catch up. We hadn’t had a moment alone in over a month, and anyone in a relationship knows how heavy that can feel. Life gets busy, especially when children are involved, and before you know it, weeks pass without intentional connection.
He mentioned Entim Sidai, which looked lovely online — beautiful scenery, calm ambience, and the perfect setting for a quiet date. With cautious excitement, we got ready and drove to Karen, hoping the experience would match what we had seen on social media.
When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly full, but we were lucky enough to find the last available spot. As we stepped out, ready to explore, we quickly realized that there was a wedding taking place. The venue was busy, lively, and filled with people — clearly not the intimate, quiet atmosphere we were craving. As beautiful as it looked, we knew this wasn’t going to give us the alone time we desperately needed.
So, we made a quick decision to look for another option nearby.
A short search led us to Wine Box, less than two kilometers away. From the pictures online, the place looked aesthetically pleasing and promised a wide variety of wines. We decided to give it a try, even though we weren’t entirely sure what to expect.
From the outside, Wine Box didn’t immediately look like a restaurant. It resembled a business park, and for a moment we thought we might have taken a wrong turn. We even asked the guard at the gate if we were in the right place. He pointed us toward a door with a simple sign that read Wine Box.
Once inside, we were pleasantly surprised.
The first thing that caught my eye was a room filled with an impressive display of wine bottles — rows and rows of different labels, beautifully arranged. It felt like stepping into a wine lover’s dream. As we walked further in, we found the restaurant area we had seen online. It was indoors but lush with greenery, bathed in warm yellow lighting. The atmosphere felt like an Italian garden tucked inside a modern space.
We chose tall seating for a bit of privacy, although there were normal restaurant tables available as well. One thing we noticed immediately was that no one showed us to our seats, and it took a while before any server came to take our order. We sat there for a few minutes, observing the crowd — a mix of black and white patrons — before a server finally approached us.
For food, we ordered a French-German pizza, fries, and chicken wings. My husband chose a glass of Sauvignon Blanc (2024), while I opted for a cocktail instead.
The wine menu was serious. At first, I was shocked at how “cheap” the bottles looked — until I realized the prices were per glass, not per bottle. Wine glasses ranged from Ksh 1,000 to Ksh 2,500, depending on the type, while cocktails ranged between Ksh 600 and Ksh 1,700. Most people around us were clearly there for the wine, which made sense given the name of the restaurant.
The fries cost Ksh 550, and honestly, the portion didn’t quite justify the price. They were thick-cut, lightly salted, and served without any sauces. The Ksh 1,800 pizza offered a different take from the usual Kenyan-style pizzas. With its thin crust, light toppings, and individual portion size, it was clearly crafted for a lighter dining experience and was nicely done.
The chicken wings were served as a shared plate. While my partner enjoyed them, the honey and ginger flavor profile wasn’t my favorite.
That said, Wine Box is undeniably beautiful. It’s the kind of place you go to for conversations, catching up, and enjoying a calm atmosphere without loud music. However, it’s clearly a high-end restaurant. If you’re on a budget, this may not be the place for you. But if you have Ksh 10,000 or more to spend and want to enjoy ambience, wine, and quiet time, then it’s worth considering.
Despite slightly breaking the bank, we had a wonderful time. The conversations flowed, the environment was calm, and for a few hours, we felt like a couple again — not just parents navigating life. Would I visit again? Yes… but maybe not too soon. 😄
