Grand Dakar
"The warm-toned, high-windowed space is as comfortably uncluttered as the menu, and its scattering of African art and wood accents complement the comfy entrees and unpretentious side dishes. Don't be lulled, though—the cooking exhibits an understated panache," writes Mark Holcomb for New York magazine.
"The kitchen puts a French twist on the indigenous treasures of Senegal. Beef and shrimp spring rolls come alive with a flamboyant sweet-chili garlic sauce; smoked-oyster rice harks back to the owner’s native Casamance region," says Time Out New York. And Chowhound Claire recommends her favorite dishes: "one with a porgy in a lemony tomato broth with rice; the other was roasted chicken and onion confit. Both were delicious. I also loved the tart on a thin, buttery crust layered with apples and mango." The Village Voice adds, "Service is slow, but the food is damn good."
And if you're interested in trying some of Chef Pierre Thiam's Senegalese specialties at home, he recently published a cookbook called Yolele! Recipes From the Heart of Senegal. Any thoughts on this place?
Reviews (6)
dittoburg wrote a review on January 26, 2009 12:10 PM
this place sounds delicious, I'm gonna give it a try.
tinarina wrote a review on January 26, 2009 1:26 PM
This restaurant is just awful, and I say that based on a recent visit. It's rarely busy during dinnertime, and never quite took off when it opened 3 or 4 years ago. It's survived as a bar and live music place since then, and is busier later in the evening.
Service is well-intentioned, but slow and inexperienced. The food is mediocre at best, and I imagine this is partly due to their low volume...they're not starting from scratch every night.
Brownstones Half Off wrote a review on January 26, 2009 2:20 PM
Food less than stellar. Dining area never crowded (that's a negative with respect to food quality). Nice bar though.
lambretta76 wrote a review on January 26, 2009 2:33 PM
I can't comment about here, as I've not been yet, but I had no idea that Pierre Thiam was the chef. I sorely miss the food and ambiance at his former joint over on Fulton, Yolele. That place had some great food and I loved the relaxed vibe - the accras, the cheb, and even his francophone desserts - were all a notch above most Senegalese in the city.
brookelen wrote a review on January 26, 2009 2:58 PM
Great food! The red rice that accompanies entrees is so savory with a flavor I can't place. Yes, it's a little sleepy early in the evening. They really cater to an African and European crowd and bar/music crowd. (Whenever I've been there, French seems to be the predominant language). The service is typically very slow, but if you're mainly there for the music and European style of slow eating then you won't be disapointed.
harriet wrote a review on February 1, 2009 12:43 AM
Grand Dakar is one of the places that makes New York City worthwhile. It's the rare intersection of food, art, music, and the cutting edge of African intellectuals in Brooklyb. The service is slow- you just have to accept that- but if you are willing to stick around, you might understand why this is a really special place.
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