Best of Brooklyn: African Food

Named for Senegal's bustling capital city, Dakar Restaurant on 285 Grand Avenue describes their menu as "Afro-European." They serve Chicken Yassa, roasted with lemons and onion confit ($12), Cadou, which is a whole porgy in a light lemon-tomato broth ($14, and a little too fishy during our visit), and delicious Thebou Jenn — snapper and vegetables over red rice ($12). We also loved the martinis made with fresh ginger juice, though it's probably safe to say that they're not an authentic African cocktail. But since we haven't had much experience with African fare, we're wondering if the connoisseurs out there can help us out...

What are some other good places to eat African food in Brooklyn? We've gotten a few tips about Folukie, which recently started serving Trinidadian and West African fare at 1168 Bedford Avenue between Putnam and Madison. They've got an all-halal menu, with akee and salt fish for breakfast, cow heel soup for lunch, pellau (chicken with rice and pigeon peas) for dinner, and a wide variety of drinks (sea moss, soursop punch, sorrel, and mauby) to wash it all down. Has anyone tried this place yet? Any other recommendations?
Dakar Restaurant [Homepage]
Folukie [Express Press Release]

Comments

What happened with Le Dakar? For the first year, it was virtually empty on a nightly basis. Everyone we spoke with wondered how it was surviving. Then over the last few months, it has developed a following. Did it change ownership? What took place?

Posted by: Anonymous at November 28, 2006 1:42 PM

They lowered their prices and started having music a few nights a week. I also think the success of Choice Market has pulled more people to that block who otherwise may not go. I was afraid that Choice's success might hurt Dakar and the Grand Cafe, but it seems to have bolstered it.

Posted by: Greene and Grand resident at November 28, 2006 2:17 PM

I heard some of the original owners were bought out. They used to be there all the time, but now they no longer are.

Choice Market has helped both Dakar and Grand (which is now open for breakfast!), but the change at Dakar started happening prior to the arrival of Choice. Now something needs to go into the empty space left by Karrot.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 28, 2006 2:53 PM

If Dakar would move its entrance to the corner instead of the side it would make a big difference! It's a weird layout.

Posted by: Brownstoner at November 28, 2006 4:26 PM

That looks like a maafe in the picture, not a poulet yassa -- or maybe I'm just hungry! Other Senegalese-French/African places -- Kush and Le Toukouleur (new). In PLG we have Meytex, which is Ghanian. I'd love to learn of others.

Posted by: babs at November 28, 2006 7:07 PM

We've no lack of African restaurants in the area. Abistro on Carlton & Myrtle is excellent, small & homey. Keur n'Deye on Fulton between SPort & SEll is the standard bearer - excellent food and a relaxed atmosphere. I like these two places more than Dakar, but I haven't been to Dakar since the music started playing.

Posted by: Anonymous at November 29, 2006 11:53 AM

i bet the increased foot traffic (due to choice - where did all the strollers come from? it was an overnight change if you ask me, and i lived around the corner) helped. dakar did make some improvements to the interior design - nothing major, but it was nicer. i think they got a little boost from world cup watchers, as well. personally i have never eaten there but i have heard it's quite good. i couldn't agree with brownstoner more about the entrance and layout... if the entrance were on the corner (i've seen so many people try to go in that way), it would also help reduce the loitering on the corner (prevalent at that intersection).

Posted by: janelle at November 29, 2006 1:54 PM

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November 28, 2006

Best of Brooklyn: African Food

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