Last summer in an excellent article about African cuisine, a New York Times article ended in the following by restaurateur Merkato saying this: "We know regional Italian food and regional French food. But a billion people’s experience is just a blur."
In bring this up because yesterday, the Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam was featured on one of my favorite shows: Splendid Table. This is a show for "people who love to eat" which, being one of said people, I tune into faithfully every week. The host, Lynne Kasper, echoed Mr. Merkato in saying little is known about the large variety of African cuisine. Mr. Thiam is trying to change that with his new cookbook Yolele! Recipes From the Heart of Senegal. According to the LA Times, the book has "recipes for popular African street food, hearty traditional stews, and dishes showcasing the country's Portuguese and Vietnamese influences, as well as the significant imprint of French colonialism." I definitely want to try out these recipes.
For those of you living in NYC, you can check out Thiam's restaurant in Brooklyn called Le Grand Dakar. Those of us in DC will have to suffice with Bukem Cafe in Adam's Morgan for delicious West African cuisine.
Anyone have recommendations on good African restaurants or African influenced food in your city?
6 comments:
Pierre Thiam's Brooklyn restaurant is called "Le Grand Dakar" and is located at 285 Grand Avenue between Lafayette and Clifton Place
Thanks for the correction! Have you eaten at the restaurant before?? Any favorite dishes you would recommend?
I'm in Jersey at present-- but I also happen to be living in a little township with an obscenely bustling restaurant scene that includes a fantastic Ethiopian restaurant, Mesob. No West African options, however-- but I'm okay with that, as I'm sure I'd much prefer the home cooked versions my dad whips up.
Love your blog!
Oh-- also, the former owner of Merkato is not named Merkato, but Samuelsson. Marcus Samuelsson. He of Aquavit and Ringo fame. He no longer has a stake in Merkato 55 from what I understand-- probably in his best interest as the place, judging from the one visit I made, missed the mark. The cocktails were amazing, though.
you know, while i lived in dc, i would get fufu or mofongo at least once a week but in the four years i've been back in africa, i have had it exactly once. funny, that.
It's good to know that Merkato missed the mark. Save me the decision-making effort on my next trip to the city. My sister is trying out Le Grand Cafe this weekend so I'm looking forward to her review.
kwerekwere, the last time I had fufu was actually in Sudan but made by a Beninois...
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