I went out on Sunday with my friend Vodka. We had planned this outing for a while. The spot was not decided but I knew I wanted somewhere nice for the first hangout. So, when we eventually met, we settled on Cafe Chrysalis. Now I've been to Cafe Chrysalis before but every time is a different experience. I'll tell you about Sunday's outing.
Neither Vodka nor I have a car. We had a decision to make. It was: be cheap and have enough money for your meal or call a cab and do the dishes after your meal. It won't have been that bad though 😳but we went with the former. So, we each took a bike to the gated estate in Bodija where Cafe Chrysalis is. We then had to walk in through the gate to Ilaro Street which is the first street to the right once you've gone through the gate and Cafe Chrysalis is at the end of that street. I felt it wasn't such a long walk but Vodka felt otherwise apparently.
So, if you're headed to Cafe Chrysalis Bodija, it's preferable you get a car, or a cab preferably non-painted unless you don't mind the walk before and after your meal.
Now you need to know that there is no sign outside the gates saying 'Cafe Chrysalis' so don't look out for that. Just follow the numbers of the houses. We got to the gate and the security opened and directed us to the restaurant entrance. I'm sorry I don't have photos but it's a little walkway through a garden. The entrance is to the right of the gate and the left is probably the main house.
We go in and the waiters are taking orders but welcome us so cheerfully. It was good. Vodka selected the table. It was for two and in one of the corners. A waiter came to us and left us with the menu. We made our decision on drinks and the meal. It was to be pina coladas (one alcoholic and the other non-alcoholic) and i was going to have a Croaker Yamarita which is acclaimed to be a Nigerian Favourite Dish in the Restaurant and Vodka was to have Chicken Curry.
(I need to apologise for not having pictures again cos the dishes were lovely and a photo would be the best summary. I took my spare camera battery as that was fully charged and it turns out it doesn't last for long. So while we were taking test shots and Vodka was experimenting with a professional camera for the first time *rme* the battery ran out of juice. I promise to keep my eyes on the prize next time.)
The waiter returned for our orders and came back to inform us that there was no pina coladas. (I feel restaurants can do better to inform waiters of what they would be able to make each day to avoid the embarrassment of taking an order and going back to say the order cannot be done.) We had to choose an easier drink. Chapman: one alcoholic and the other non-alcoholic. (Oh and might I mention, remember it's not my first time going to Cafe Chrysalis, be open minded cos some things are on the menu but are not available). Vodka asked how long we'd need to wait for our food and was told thirty minutes. We were so going to hold them to their word.
In the mean time, we took terrible shots which as it turns out can't be used in this post cos it's that bad. We admired the art. They have lots of wall art and a quote in particular
"Sometimes the dreams that come true are the dreams that you never even knew that you had."
Also there was a cute couple in the corner so Vodka and I made up stories about them...what else do you do when you've got time to kill. The drinks came about 15minutes later. (Oh by the way, Cafe Chrysalis has those rich walls you could pose in front of if you're very arty to take great Instagram photos. Their colours are blue and yellow so expect lots of that.) The lighting is mainly tungsten giving the room a warm atmosphere. Take a girl you love there if you're a guy. I know it's a public space but it feels private as it doesn't have so much crowd (A well kept Ibadan secret 😉). I remember the first time I went there, it was with my family and a married couple (friends to the family), the wife whispered to me (how did you find out about this place with a wink that says I know a guy brought you here...alas it was my first time.)
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| Vodka's Chapman |
Oh yeah, the music gets you too. It's just soft and in the background. There's no jukebox. It feels like just preloaded cds. It's oldies mainly but ohhhhhh the music is good. I give that to them. It gets me everytime. Vodka is so into rating them. Thirty minutes later our food is not out and Vodka rings the call bell and the waiter is prompt to respond. A different waiter though cos the one attending to us went into the kitchen. Vodka was impressed by the promptness. I ask about the food and she has to ask what we ordered and is apologetic but apparently Chicken Curry takes a while to get done.
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| Both bells work just fine 😊😊 we tried them |
There's no television. So guys who promised their girlfriends an outing on EPL Sundays or on Champion's League night whatever it is, Cafe Chrysalis is way past that. I love that I didn't notice a television which means you actually have to talk to whom you're with. Get to know each other.
The food came about an hour later and the Croaker Yamarita is great. A plate goes for #2500. It was a piece of fried salted croaker with tomatoes spread over it, two spoons of yam porridge, some vegetables, a little beef and diced fried plantains. It was yummy. 😋
The Chicken Curry (#2000 per plate) was basmati rice, boiled Irish potatoes, two pieces of chicken and a boiled egg.
Vodka and I tried each others food and he wanted more of mine even though his was equally great. He felt the fish was a little too salty, I felt it was perfect and he felt the porridge needed to be more fluid. (I think that's the term) It was fine to me.
There's a bar there too so order your bottles of wine or some spirits. The collection is nothing extra fancy just the regular.
While we were there, a table was being set for a party and they came in and the drinks didn't take too long. I feel they called before hand.
Before we left, I absolutely had to check out the conveniences. It's a door with a sign just to the left of the bar if you happen to be facing the bar. Cafe Chrysalis is a converted house so it still has those traditional Old Bodija buildings type feel. I grew up in Old Bodija and had quite a number of friends I visited. It's an old type water cistern, white with all those old type square white tiles on the walls. There's a lot of blue and yellow there too. There's a basket in the corner beside the wash hand basin with rolled white towels for mopping your hands dry when you're done and a space under to throw the used ones. There's a bottle of hand lotion too. The scent is great. It's got mirrors too so go in and check yourself when you're done with your meal for any stray vegetables or meat. Also, retouch your makeup. It's got enough space for a girl to go in with her friend to help her adjust anything or gossip ☻. You need to know though that if you're looking for perfect bathroom lighting for a mirror selfie, i don't feel it's that great for that.
Overall, the ambience is 100. The waiters; courteous and prompt. I feel though that since Cafe Chrysalis looks like the 'Wear a Jacket' type of restaurant we see in Hollywood movies, (I didn't dress up cos I was going to walk) the waiters did not live up to that; appearance-wise. The hairs were unkempt and the tops seem like bar wear not formal restaurant type wear.
The food is great....really good. I mean the fish was just the right amount of moist inside and what not. The vegetables not too soggy and all served in a white dish. The food is equally very filling and moderately priced.
It's a great place and I'd recommend it to anyone planning a birthday party or a formal dinner or just looking for good food.
There's another at Ring-Road if you stay far from Bodija. I've been there too and the quality is the same. Also, at Agodi Gardens, I have had a plate of rice and a cocktail from their stand there. That one offers a limited menu and food is served from a warmer but heated before being offered. It's been a while and I'm not sure if they are still there but if they are, you should try the food.
LOCATIONS
Cafe Chrysalis - 23 Ilaro Street, Old Bodija, Ibadan
Jazz by Chrysalis - 4 Mogaji Are Street, beside Leadway Assurance (I hear there's a Live Band on Sundays)
Call in advance - 08055235477
They're open 8:00am - 10:00pm all days of the week except Sundays when it's 12:00noon - 10:00pm.
Rating: 4.0/5.0
Make sure to let me know your opinion of the place.
Twist
