Stopped by Swahili Village with a group of five after taking a pottery class at Moonlight Studios…read morenearby and it turned out to be the perfect way to end the evening. It's only about a five minute drive away, so the location worked out great. This was everyone's first time trying Kenyan food and we were all blown away. The flavors were rich, comforting, and beautifully balanced. We ordered several appetizers to share and then entrees including the salmon, oxtail, goat, and snapper. Everything at the table was delicious. Our server Diamond was wonderful. She was warm, helpful, and really guided us through the menu since we were new to the cuisine. Her service made the experience even better. Such a great introduction to Kenyan food and a really fun group dinner. We will absolutely be coming back.

Several reviews were mixed for Swahili Village so we decided to give it a try. Stopped in the Rhode…read moreIsland location. Unfortunately, it was disappointing. Started with a Margarita cocktail which was $16.00 and terrible. Low grade tequila and store bought margarita sour mix. Service was very slow and one of the mangers was drinking and having a long conversation with the bartender. We decided to try the Jollof Rice and Suya bites. The rice was very bland. The Suya had some flavor but seemed to be missing something. I decided to take the leftovers home but unfortunately the Suya bites got very hard overnight so were not enjoyable the next day. Since eating out is pricey you may want to choose a different restaurant to try.

Finally got an opportunity to dine here. Ive had the food catered before and this time I was able…read moreto try in house. The establishment itself is quite dated. The awning outside needs refurbishment and inside furniture is not updated. It's dark inside, almost like a night club. Perhaps it is sometimes. I did not like the decor, it was a little run down and honestly did not match up to the prices. The service was also disappointing. I felt that staff lacked a bit of professionalism and they rarely checked on us. The plates are huge. That is a plus. My partner ordered the goat and I tried the red snapper. I think one plate is big enough to share. I like the spinach, but everything needed a bit of salt. While the red snapper was coated in a lovely tomato and red pepper gravy, I felt it made the crispyness of the fried fish disappear and it was kind of soggy. Maybe you can ask for the gravy on the side. The food is not bad, but given the physical establishment and the service I wouldn't return.

The sheer ambiance and service of this restaurant pushed this from a 3 to a 4 star. This is…read moredefinitely, more on the fine-dining end- which I was not aware of. Our waiter was so charismatic, helpful, and kind. He even turned up the music in our corner of the restaurant upon request! The food was generally good, just a bit on the drier end. Even the stew wasn't really soupy. So if you were trying to mix some rice with some stew, you basically got cake on your plate. Regardless, everything was seasoned to absolute perfection. Also, don't know if this matters but it may matter to some- though this is an East African Restaurant, the menu is slightly more Kenyan than Ugandan. Something to keep in your expectations when visiting!

This is a not so hidden gem. The decor and table spacing are fabulous. The food is divine. There is…read morea DIY coke machine and the hot sauces are plentiful. This is an interesting cross between an order at the counter fast casual kind of place and a sit down restaurant. You can order at the counter or via a QR code from your table. If you want to customize your meal, definitely order at the counter - they can do things the website can't.

I got some takeout from Nando's and found the food tasted okay…read more Chicken was not tasty, and also not as succulent as I was hoping. It was a small piece that was not juicy Brussels sprouts were okay, fine The food was better and healthier than some other options around but not as tasty as I would have liked.

A date night promise and a bucket list reservation finally came together at Elmina. I visited when…read morethey first opened and was eager to return. An 8:45pm reservation turned 9pm and the restaurant was gracious enough to accommodate. The door was a short distance from the inviting bar so I found my date rather quickly. Social and engaging by nature he had already made himself at home with the host and bartenders. The Elmina staff are exactly the kind that make even the most outgoing person feel right at home. Only a quick negotiation of his return needed, especially since I was tardy, and we were whisked upstairs to our table. Upstairs we found a dining room with dark walls and dark blue velvet that set a completely different mood from the bar and open kitchen below. A larger party was seated nearby but far enough away for our own conversation. Later a two person party was seated in between. Word of advice, you will want to remember to keep your Netflix password to yourself. We were not trying to listen but when the tables are that intimate the conversation finds you. Z was our waiter and he set the tone immediately. Attentive, knowledgeable, and full of recommendations that came in right on time even for two foodies who already knew what they wanted. Drinks first. My Gold Coast Margarita and his Tree of Life arrived and both were excellent. Both drinks landing exactly where they needed to. The Tree of Life arriving in a clear ribbed glass with a gold dusted rim, deep red and stunning, was almost too beautiful to drink....Almost is the operative word! Then the starters:Fried okra and Beef Suya. The okra arrived first, batter fried to a golden crisp with a tender bite. The burnt leek and onion ranch dip took it somewhere magical. The Suya beef skewers were smoky, spiced, and finished with mojo onions that balanced every bite without competing with it. One thing every foodie needs to know. If you have a shellfish allergy Elmina will accommodate. Even the dishes that mention shellfish can be adjusted and you will not miss a thing. At a Michelin recognized restaurant that is music to a shellfish allergy sufferer's ears. For the main we ordered the Elmina Spicy Chicken and Jollof rice. A short wine debate while we waited landed us on the Rabble Red Blend. Then the plates arrived and everything made sense. The chicken and pepper sauce had spice that had layers and the Jollof rice served alongside made it unforgettable. My date did not finish it but made sure I knew how great it was. A few notes worth sharing. The bathroom is on the bottom floor so if you are seated upstairs make the trip before the drinks start flowing. The red wine will elevate the spiciness of the chicken so if you are sensitive to heat proceed with caution. We skipped dessert intentionally so Z brought our plates back in a to go bag filled with all the goodness before we left. Tap to pay from the bar tab to the final bill kept the night flowing. I will note our waiter brought it directly to my sharply dressed date but since I was treating I immediately took it back. Loved that energy. Elmina is Black owned excellence at its finest, an intimate setting filled with beautifully dressed patrons and food that will have you recommending this place for sure. Even the small things are handled, with ample street parking and a welcoming entrance, and a staff that turns a typical reservation into something you will talk about after. Whether it is a date night or a group, the tables here are ready for both. A table worth gathering at for any occasion that deserves something exceptional. We closed the night at Kuro Listening Bar, another black owned gem, a short distance away. The pairing of the two made for a night worth remembering.

A redemption arc well earned. I tried Elmina when it first opened for brunch and walked away…read moreunderwhelmed. Dinner, however, is an entirely different experience and I'm glad I gave it another chance. The space alone sets the tone, beautiful decor across two floors of dining. We were seated on the second floor near the open kitchen and watching the chefs work while dishes were carried out around us added a whole layer to the evening. Dinner and a show, essentially. The wine menu is extensive and worth taking your time with. For starters we tried the crispy okra fries which were a great introduction to what was coming. The main event featured jollof duck pot, broiled branzino, tomahawk steak and crab fried rice -- everything arrived bursting with flavor. Even when one dish didn't fully land for someone at the table, something else more than compensated. That's the sign of a well rounded menu. Contemporary Ghanaian cuisine done at this level deserves its flowers and Elmina is delivering. I'm already looking forward to returning.

Thank you Ivory at Dōgon by Kwame Onwuachi for making a wonderful restaurant experience…read more The ambience, playlist and food were amazing. #SalamanderDC #Kwame #tiktokfoodie #tiktokreview #softconfidence

Let's start by staying it was a movie, I left later than expected, the uber ride to dc took longer…read morethan expected as well, but I had to follow through to DC. I for sure thought on July 4th weekend my birthday reservation would be canceled. To my surprise they welcomed me with warm arms and accounted for the hectic weekend to have delays; that alone made my day the food could have been mediocre. When you walk in you feel the black excellence, multiculturalism and multigenerational; everyone had a role to played for this experience. The decor was low light and elegant, phenomenal music choice(I'd prefer there playlists than the clubs I've been to recently). I was seated next two interesting tables, one a best friend night as they discuss The Bear and its authenticity and the other a Columbia grad from Gabon on a date night; we reminisced on Africa and the food brings us memories. Let's get to the fooooooood & drink omgggggg Everything was bussssssin!!!!! I enjoyed everything and lick the bowls dry. The oxtail patties stole low key, so few but I wasn't expecting so much flavor, the braised to perfection oxtail melts in your mouth likes a purée; I wanted to buy more after the 1st bite It went from a week birthday week to exceptional, I will be back to try the rest* of the menu Check out my Beli account: @plznoporkahk for a deep dive into the dishes

I absolutely love this store! *Insert Big Hearts* I saw this store when I came into the mall for…read moreother purposes. I decided to go in and check it out. It was worth it. There are some gorgeous pieces of beaded jewelry, artwork, clothing, and more in this store. This is an authentic African collection store so you can find just about anything that you'd like that will relate to your African roots. Mr. Kwame was really pleasant, friendly, he engaged his customers, and he just innately knew what we liked or what he thought would be pretty on us. Blue is my favorite color and he picked out this wonderful dress and I fell in love with it instantly. It fits well, has pockets, and a belt to match. My daughter came into the store and before she could begin to browse, he took one look at her, pulled the mannequin inside, and removed the dress from it. He gave it to her with a humble, rather gorgeous smile, and said, "This was made just for you." She turned to see that it was the dress from the mannequin and once again the words, "I love it!," were squeaked into the air. She went to the fitting room to try it on and it fit very well. So we bought it! She wore the dress right out of the store. I changed into mine later and pinned my hair up with the beaded hair pin. Mrs. Sandy got the orange and yellow dress with a bracelet. She absolutely loved that too. You cannot go wrong in this store. I really thought that he was not going to have anything to fit me because I have such large bosoms, however he did. It surprised me. I highly recommend this establishment. Tell Mr. Kwame that the "Shawn, Lady in Blue" sent you. LoL! 5 Stars.

Some restaurants serve an excellent meal. Maydan creates an experience…read more This reservation had been on my wish list for quite some time, and when everything finally aligned, it exceeded every expectation. The restaurant itself is stunning. Walking in, you're immediately greeted by the massive open hearth where much of the cooking happens. Watching the chefs tend the fire throughout the evening adds another layer to the experience and sets the tone before your first bite even arrives. Our server explained the tasting menu ($95 per person) and optional wine pairing ($75 pp), but we decided to order à la carte--and I wouldn't change a thing. We started with the Carrot Havuç spread. It was impossibly light, silky, and beautifully whipped. I'll admit, the bread seemed understated at first, but after the first bite, it became clear that the spread was meant to be the star. Every bite was packed with flavor. The lamb shish kebab was incredibly tender, juicy, and perfectly seasoned. The Omani shrimp arrived with five enormous shrimp that were cooked flawlessly. Then came the whole roasted chicken. Watching it roast over the fire as we entered made us excited, but nothing prepared us for how incredible it would taste. It was, without question, some of the best chicken I've ever eaten. Moist, deeply flavorful, beautifully seasoned, and delicious completely on its own. It came with an accompanying sauce that was excellent, but honestly, use it sparingly--you don't want anything distracting from the chicken itself. When a dish can stand entirely on its own, that's greatness. Since it was a whole chicken, we happily went home with leftovers (which felt like winning the lottery). The cocktails deserve their own standing ovation. A special thank you to Nancy upstairs-- Great bartenders don't just make drinks--they elevate the entire experience, and she certainly did. The Serpent was beautifully balanced with bright citrus and herbal notes, while the Medina Palmer was refreshing, unique, and one of the most memorable cocktails I've had in a long time. Every drink felt carefully crafted rather than simply mixed. In the beginning of our night they asked if we were celebrating anything and I immediately answered, "my friend graduated from nursing school." Little did we know, they came with glasses of bubbly at the end of our dining experience to celebrate! Such a lovely gesture to end our evening. The word that kept coming up throughout dinner was divine. Service was warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely enthusiastic about guiding us through the menu. A few practical tips: * Reservations book well in advance, so plan ahead. * Street parking is limited. We chose to Uber and were glad we did. This was one of those meals where every course made us look at each other and say, "Wow." I can't wait to return.

Came on a Sunday evening, chose the alacarte route. Hummus, beet, and carrot dips. Zucchini and…read moreasparagus for greens. Lamb and scallop kabobs. Ribeye for the main. Two condiments - harissa and garlic toum. Had a mix of drinks between four of us from beer to cocktails (gin, mezcal, burbon), and wine. Total was ~$430 all in (they include service fees). The endless bread is wonderful and the server was kind and attentive. I just didn't LOVE the meal, especially for the price. The zucchini was sliced incredibly thick and felt like it might as well have been baked. The hazelnuts added a solid crunch and fun flavor, but I wanted crisp. The asparagus was decent but nothing to write home about. Hummus was... Hummus. The carrot havuc was quite good but the beet borani was the crowd pleaser. The lamb kebob was my favorite part of the meal - perfectly cooked, rightly sized, and an excellent cut of meat. The ribeye was precut and sizable, with a fair number of slices without hefty doses of fat. It was perfectly seared and paired well with the condiments. All in all, it was a good meal that felt over hyped and heavily focused on bread. The restaurant itself is designed in a way that makes you feel like you're on vacation. The open hearth is awesome to see, but gosh is it toasty. Summer time might not be the best time to visit!

food - service - ambiance on 100%!…read more thank you GG for not only being stylish with her beautiful stacks of jewelry, but being so attentive with our table. thank you to the rest of the staff for your wonderful service :)

Amazing food! Great atmosphere! We love GG and we will be returning soon to try more items!read more