Fort Greene-Clinton Hill Eateries Represent At New York African Restaurant Week

Heather Chin -

If you’ve had a craving for Ethiopian or Senegalese food that last month’s Dance Africa Bazaar didn’t fill, then you’re in luck because the third annual New York African Restaurant Week (NYARW) is here!

Running for two weeks starting from this past Sunday, May 31 through June 14, the annual cultural event not only highlights over 30 of the best restaurants in the city — the majority of them right here in our neck of the woods in Brooklyn — which feature African cuisine, wine, chefs, music, dance, and culture that must not be missed.

Participating restaurants here in Fort Greene and Clinton Hill are:

  • La Caye (35 Lafayette Avenue, Haitian cuisine)
  • Madiba (195 DeKalb Avenue, South African cuisine)
  • Bati (747 Fulton Street, traditional Ethiopian)
  • Amarachi Prime (189 Bridge Street; African-Caribbean fusion)
  • Buka (946 Fulton Street, Nigerian cuisine).

Other Brooklyn eateries are:

  • Jollof Restaurant (1168 Bedford Avenue, Bed-Stuy, Senegalese cuisine)
  • Cafe Rue Dix (1451 Bedford Avenue, Crown Heights, French-Senegalese)
  • Bunna Cafe (1084 Flushing Avenue, Bushwick, Ethiopian vegan)

All have special NYARW three-course prix fixe menus ($28.95), in addition to their regular menus.

In addition to the eating, NYARW also features special events across the city “that showcase Africa as it relates to food, art, travel, fashion, and more [with a] mission to simply bring people together to celebrate and share the best of African cuisine and culture.”

These special events are:

  • Tuesday, June 9 from 6:30-10:30pm — Edible Bazaar Benefit 2015 at Taj Lounge on 48 West 21st St
    Several restaurants offer signature dishes, artisans, music and African Culture. There wiill also be a special program honoring the best African Restaurant, Chef and Community Leader.  The event is a fundraiser for the ASB Foundation, supporting children in Senegal, Africa.
  • Saturday, June 13 — Ms. Iya Oge Food and Fashion Showcase at THE DL, 95 Delancey St
    Local designers will be showing African inspired clothing and home designs. Artisans will also be showcasing their creations in jewelry, art, sculpture, fabrics, home goods and more.
  • Date TBD — Aphrodisiac Dinner at Madiba (Fort Greene) and The Cecil (Manhattan)
    “This dinner will be a cruise through the senses.  The dinner will be perfectly paired with wines and each course will be designed to heighten the senses for an evening of pure excitement. Tickets for both dinners will be available on the www.nyarw.com website and in each restaurant.”

See you there! And don’t forget to post pictures and video of the festivities on social media for a chance to win a prize in the What’s Your Africa? Contest.