Baobab

On Friday night, I was taken out to the Mission. I wasn't told where exactly we would go nor what exactly we would be in store for. We ended up at Bissap Baobab, a Sengalese restaurant. Immediately, upon walking in, you are greeted warmly and asked to wait at the bar (there's always a wait due to their popularity).

There's a high-energy buzz in the place, African music playing, and the bar makes some potent ginger and tamarind drinks. After a bit, they'll come get you and take you to your table.

It's a real mixed crowd: very international in feel. We had (some salty) beef pastries which were balanced out by a sweet plantain dish (with tamarind dipping sauce). For the main courses, we tried a tilapia (dry) in a wonderful sweet and creamy coconut sauce and a (also dry) chicken kabob with a nice mafe dish on the side. Mafe is basically peanut sauce and they don't skimp on the amount you get. Overall, the sauces definitely were great, but for some reason the actual meat itself was overcooked.

I would definitely go back, though, as the place itself is a lot of fun. There are large groups, people on dates, and everyone enjoying the food, music, interesting African-inspired decor, and the unmistakable energy of the place.

"After your meal, take a few steps around the corner to the Little Baobab. Bursting with energy, this little juke joint has a big heart that beats to the rhythms of music from around the world. " Their website does not lie, it was a great mixture of African music (heavy on the beats), reggae, and salsa. Even more international feeling crowd than in the restaurant and more of those potent ginger and tamarind drinks.