Ndolé, African spinach with meat and prawns
That what is African (and Afro-fusion) has begun a golden age is evidence. The Oscars Academy Award for Ribbon 12 years a slave and the Mexican actress of Kenyan origin Lupita Nyon, seem to follow in the wake of a tendency to look with equal eyes at blackness of African origin. In the capital, a certain openness begins to emerge towards everything that comes from the great African giant (careful, Africa is not a country). Thanks to the musical advance, we are gradually entering into the fascination for a continent that is a stone's throw away and whose attraction lies precisely in the absolute ignorance we have of it . Things are starting to get interesting when it comes to gastronomy...
FOR GOURMETS
Showcasing one of the most celebrated African cuisines, the ethiopian , the ** Nuria ** restaurant (also a woman's name in Ethiopia) brings out its heavy artillery in the middle of a modern-gastronomic street, such as Manuela Malasaña (number 6). With a flavor and quality that invite you to eat with your hands (as tradition dictates in Ethiopia), the owners are a couple of Ethiopian origin who have settled in Madrid for more than twenty years.
More things in its favor: its authenticity, since the products they use are originally Ethiopian (like the flour to make the injera , the Ethiopian bread that acts as a fork) . Let yourself be advised or try your tasting menu (€40 with a drink, although they also have a delicious daily menu for €15). don't leave without trying its Ethiopian tea and coffee (In fact, you can go alone to give yourself that little whim and see a bit of the atmosphere, very careful with music that really transports you to this country with an ancient culture). Another option is to visit their other location, at Calle Ventura Rodríguez 3, the Hanan restaurant. **
Ethiopia on the plate
A WALK THROUGH AFRICA
The Mandela restaurant uses the claim of the name of a great African in the surroundings of the Royal Theater (independence street, 1) to offer a mix of very authentic flavors , since its chefs are natives of the black continent. Among its delicacies, goat carpaccio, dehydrated cassava, zebra loin, chicken with spices, avocado salad with squid, veal with peanut sauce... (note the spicy bite), as well as a delicious Kenyan or Ugandan coffee, Nigerian Star beers or Malian tea sweets like kenkaliba or banana cake.
The decoration also covers Africa from end to end , with paintings handmade by citizens of Mali, Cameroon, Senegal, Guinea Conakry, Nigeria... But best of all, in addition to its delicious cuisine (and its vegetarian options ) is the professional treatment of the team that results from a collaborative project between the Hispanic-African community.
Tasting Africa in Madrid
AFRICAN REFRIED
Waves of fascination with African gastronomy have also reached Chueca. The Kim Bu Mbu Restaurant (Calle de Colmenares, 7) has decorative references, above all, from Mali , which invite you to dream of Africa thanks to its sculptures, brass tables and ethnic fabrics. But the dishes provide references from various places: Ghana, Cameroon, etc. (menu with wine, about €25) .
GUERRILLA
We cannot help but point out the Baobab restaurant among the classic African beach bars of Madrid. In his favor, worn by a Senegalese countryman , that its public is certainly largely African and that it is found in one of the meeting points of the Senegalese clan that inhabits Lavapiés (Plaza de Cabestreros, 1) . In addition, its dishes (tasty although quality or variety are its strengths) have anti-crisis prices **(between €6 and 7 with a drink) ** and to top it off, among its advantages it should be noted that it has a perfect terrace to have some beers now that the weather is on our side.
MAN DOES NOT LIVE ON FOOD ONLY
A country that has crept into the most desired destinations among caste travelers is South Africa, even ahead of Senegal. But if what interests you is emerging African art, we recommend that you go through the Parisian neighborhood Saint Germain des Prés **during the Parcours des Monde Fair ** (from September 9 to 14) . If, on the other hand, your interests go in other directions, you will have it easier. You just have to **travel to Córdoba and get to know the African Film Festival** (the next edition will take place in October).
More information about the continent, readings, meetings and hundreds of events at the **Casa África headquarters** in Las Palmas. For an excellent follow-up of what's happening in Africa, the Web Guinguinbali and to learn to move the skeleton with those wonderful rhythms, the ** modern African dance workshop at La Tabacalera (Wednesdays from 8:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at El Molino Rojo) **.
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African style grilled fish