VISIT TO LAGOS NIGERIA PART 1

I recently visited Lagos Nigeria. The sights and sounds of the city were absolutely amazing and of course if you are ever in Nigeria one thing you definitely have to check out is the awesome food. When I say food I do not mean the fast food you get from the different restaurant (not disputing that these foods are not equally good in their own right), those are satisfying and I wouldn't be opposed to grabbing a meat pie or those delicious cream filled doughnuts from Sweet Sensation (memories).

And of course one of such restaurants which I remember visiting  and loving is The Place, located on Isaac John Street, G.R.A, Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria near Protea Hotel (I think they also have a branch on the island). If you are looking for a good place to have lunch with friends, this is the perfect restaurant. They not only sell the typical everyday Nigerian restaurant food like Jollof rice, Fried rice e.t.c, but they also provide unique dishes one of such that I remember was their Chinese prawn sauce. Absolutely yummy!!

They also have a delicious Africana menu which would leave you always wanting more and more every time.

 


But I am talking about traditional African menu. I am Yoruba, originally from Osun state, Ede, in Nigeria, and if you know any thing about us you know we love our amala (yam flour) and ila (lady fingers) stew, and although you can easily make these dishes anywhere in the world, it is never as good as that you get from Nigeria (in my opinion). So I met up with some friends in and they decided to take me out to a local buka (canteen) to eat amala, gbegiri and ewedu stew (yam flour, beans and jute leaf stew).

Now I do not remember exactly where this buka was located but I can never forget the experience. This is not your usual sit down and have a waitress come take your order type of restaurant, you have to get a plate go up to the servers and hustle for your own food. You say or rather shout out (there are so many people ordering at the same time you have to really hustle) the amount of  amala you want choose the stew and the different types of meat that you want, this may seem like a hassle but it is well worth it trust me. After getting your food you  carry your plate to your chosen seat, I really wish I had taken a picture of this meal because it was delicious, to enjoy this meal properly you have to use your hands. There is usually a pitcher of water and a bowl to wash your hands in right at the table and immediately you tuck in. Even writing about it now I remember that first bite it was absolutely delicious. One of the best eating experiences I had in Nigeria. A glass of cold water is all you need to accompany this meal.

After that day you can be sure I definitely went back to that buka to sample more delicacies.