Miya Lounge & Restaurant — Restaurant in Beltsville

I went to a paint nite event at another venue hosted by street artist, Calisma. I have not a creative or artistic bone in my body, but my painting came out looking really good. I was excited to hear she and her family were opening a a restaurant so I kept in touch.

Fast forward, I follow Calisma on social media and saw tons of her work. Some for sale, some posted in buyers' homes, some in her now open restaurant, every piece was DOPE!

I reached out about a painting she had a group do at a private paint nite, it was too cute! She told me pick a date, I invited some friends, she opened it to the public with a $10 food discount, and it was on.

Everything you need to paint is included (canvas, paints, brushes, smock). The canvas is lightly pre-sketched so there's really no way you can totally bomb the entire painting. Calisma is very patient and so sweet. She gives guided instruction, but you work independently at your own pace. Some people came late and breezed thru. I am always the last person to finish, but I am always thrilled with my finished product.

Now onto the food. I am a very picky eater and I've never tried any African food before. Lots of people talk about jollof rice and wanted to try, but I wasn't sure what to pair it with. I've heard people talk about "suya" but I didn't know if it was a general type of food or a specific dish. Calisma explained what suya was and it sounded kinda like a spicy kebab/pepper steak hybrid. I tried it and couldn't get enough, it was delicious! I think there could be slight variations in the spices and preparation depending upon country of origin. Calisma and her family are from Cameroon, in case that matters for your palate.

I love the classes, I loved the food, a double win for me! I have my eyes on another painting I've seen her do in past classes. When she offers another class featuring that painting I'll be coming back again. Miya Lounge easily gets 2 thumbs up and 5...

Good People!! This West African spot sent a message out on their Instagram in hopes to get some foot traffic. They are at risk of shutting down. When I saw that..pulled up!! I’m with @cousinkim_ & @leauxlaa too!! . Where I am: @Miya_lounge . Location Reviewed: 4715 Sellman Rd., unit a, Beltsville M.D. . Menu Includes: Fufu, Eru-Greens, Egusi, Goat Pepper, & Fish Pepper Soups,Suya, Suya PIZZA, Suya Tacos, Jollof, Curry, & Spicy Chicken, & MORE!! . Items Reviewed: Their Cameroonian Beverages The Passionfruit Ginger Beer ($5). DELICIOUS! Spicy, good. The Passionfruit Soda ($10). STAMP!! Sweet, fruity, refreshing!! The Sorrel Soda ($5). DELICIOUS!! It didn’t taste like sorrel, but it was carbonated.

Their Spicy Chicken (with onions, spicy pepper sauce, & Jollof rice $12.99). LIKE THAT!! The pepper sauce is HOT SPICY HOT!! But it didn’t take away from the taste of the chicken!

The Jollof Rice ($7.99). DECENT. Good, I just needed it to be spicer.

Their Pepper Soup Goat (with boiled yams, & spices $14.99). Cousin Kim STAMPED it…but she said get it spicy!!

Their Suya Pizza (with mozzarella, a Suya marinara, pepper sauce, onions, & spinach $14.99). STAMP!! Surprised? ME TOO!! These ingredients blended perfectly together!! Buttery, rich, meaty, & mildly spicy!! MUST HAVE!!

Their Suya Tacos (with beef, onions, cheese, jollof rice, & a spicy aioli $15). LIKE THAT!! Meaty, well spiced, but I’d leave the cheese off.

Their Eru & Lamb Fufu (with Eru-a vegetable soup made of Okazi leaves, lamb, & Fufu-a handheld mashed potato food $24.99). LIKE THAT!! The hearty tastefully bitter’ish soup, soft Fufu, and meaty lamb. . Customer Service: On Point l . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: Decent. . Recommendations: Everything Stamped!! . Music:YouTube-WhatBand X4B 11-5-17

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️=STAMP ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️➕=LIKE...

This place is a GEM!!! Omg! Me, my husband and our daughter just left there and it was such a great experience, a 10/10. A definite must try. First things first the place is impeccably clean and the service is great. Calisma and her mom the owners are the sweetest. Secondly, Calisma is an incredibly talented artist and her artwork adorns the walls of the restaurant. Me and my family were in awe the moment we walked in at how beautiful her paintings were and I definitely was honored to have shared that experience with my family. Last but certainly not the least the food was everything that me and my family’s taste buds need. The food was soooooooooooo good. Presentation of the food was 10/10. The selection was great. The taste omg the taste!! It was everything. Everything was on point. The jollof was the tastiest I’ve had since I left Africa. The suya and the chicken wings were amazing and the pepper sauce had my non African husband licking his fingers like they were going out of style...lol. Even my daughter who never finishes her food at a restaurant was eating the jollof as if we don’t feed her at home. Please take it from someone who works in the hospitality industry and try this place. I really hope this restaurant gets the audience and patronage it deserves. We will definitely be back! Sorry for the half eaten food pics but we were hungry and the food was too good to be stopping and taking pictures 😊.

Ps - this is a great place to bring your non African friends to introduce them to authentic African food with great...