Buka — Restaurant in New York

This was a disaster. Our server was nice enough, but couldn't answer basic questions about menu items. "I'm not the chef," he said when we asked about one dish he was unfamiliar with, and he didn't offer to go ask the chef on our behalf. He then repeatedly got our order wrong when repeating it back to us, though I THINK what we were served was correct. The menu has no prices on it, so when I asked for prices he gave a range for entrees and a range for appetizers, but noted that there were exceptions. This was not very helpful. (You can see actual prices if you order online.) Before we ordered our lunch we asked a question about the steak suya entree, and then a few minutes later he came by and told us he had ordered it for us (which we had not asked him to do) because it takes a long while to cook. This was odd, because it actually arrived two or three minutes later. And it wasn't the steak suya entree -- it was a very tough suya appetizer, though I'm not sure if it was steak or lamb. The place is physically unappealing and was very noisy, even though virtually no one was in there. (Thankfully, they agreed to turn the very loud music down when we asked them.) The food was . . . eh. I got the chicken egusi, which came slathered in tomato sauce, which is not how I'd had it the one previous time I'd ordered Nigerian food. And the chicken had what to me seemed an off taste, as if it had freezer burn. My son got the goat's head in igbo spices, which had good taste but warning: I had imagined that this was going to be the meat from a goat's head (the cheeks, say), but it was lots of parts of the goat's head -- eyeballs, tongue, lips (I think). If you like that, great. If you're not up for that, now you know. We also ordered the snail appetizer, which we had had in a Nigerian restaurant in London and loved. This one was tiny portions and much chewier than what we had had in London. And they charged us $26 for two thumb-sized portions of snail! That was our entire meal: one entree, three small-ish appetizers for me and my two kids. Total cost? about $78 before tip, and, adding insult to injury, they classified the three of us as a "large party" and added a 20% tip. So, $92 total for an unsatisfactory meal. I probably would have given the 20% tip on my own, because I was raised properly, but this was unseemly. I can't imagine I would ever go here again, and will look elsewhere for good Nigerian...

EDIT:

For the sake of my sister I didn't tell off the Owner last time I was there. I work in the industry and understand the rubbings of a restaurant. I have 0 respect for an "OWNER" SITTING DOWN COMFORTABLY AND LAUGHING AT WITH FRIENDS WHILE YOU HAVE ONE GUY TO SERVE AND BARTEND ALL BY HIMSELF. Tables were left unbussed. I brought my fiancé there to meet my sister and was embarrassed that it took 2 hours for food and we were all watching each other eat and they didn't bring food out in the proper order or timing. A table of 6-8 people walked out and the owner didn't bat an eye. The poor people had waited an hour and only 2 had drinks. I will NEVER return! Another African restaurant will open with better service and all your "locals" will leave. Seems the guy feels he's a monopoly. You ought to be ashamed of yourself! We have tipped the sever well as he was kind, friendly, as attentive as possible and. busted his butt. A real owner HELPS run the business when needed. I can not give my money to a jerk like this. Don't come here in a rush or if you want even decent service. They are understaffed and the owner has an ego issue. I have been here about 10 times and it's the same issue everything. I WILL NOT RETURN!

ORIGINAL: Food here is tasty. Yes service can be a bit slow. I would love to see bigger portions for the prices however. Also, I have eaten from here at least 7 times and they always seem to have "run out" from puff puff which is my favorite! Also please don't charge more than 5 dollars for 4-6 pieces of plantain or 4 strips of yam. Also, for vegans and vegetarians we would love if you offered some spinach without the fish in it? This shouldn't be hard I think. Or some sort of sautéed veggies. People are more health conscious these days and the menu is lacking items that aren't fried and or heavily carb loaded.

I am fine when I come alone as I am vegan and usually get the same quick items (jollof rice with side stew, yam with stew, and plantain.

HOWEVER, when my fam came from PA for my moms birthday and they were not happy to have to wait over an hour for food. There were only about 2 other tables there. The appetizers took 45 minutes to come out (HOW?!). We almost got up and left. They could barely enjoy their food before they have to head back to PA as they had work the next day. They could use some help in the kitchen it seems and a bit more organization...

The Worst Experience Ever. I was visiting NYC (Lower Manhattan) from Chicago with family when we decided to venture to Brooklyn to dine at this restaurant. We arrived around noon and was greeted with a smile. We were the only patrons there so we expected great service. The expectation turned sour when the waitress (who appeared under the influence) gave my BF the wrong beer and pretty much said deal with it. It continued when she couldn’t get the order right. Instead of writing down the order she was scribbling on her writing pad. When I ask her to elaborate on the dish Vegan Delight, she kept saying “it’s just beans.” After a few minutes, I was fed up and had excused myself from the table. I walked to the front of the restaurant were I met another employee (possibly the manager). He was very nice but could sense that something was wrong. He asked several times what was wrong and why was the waitress taking so long to take our order. He wanted feedback. Not wanting to cause more friction between my family and waitress, I promised to give the gentleman my honest feedback afterwards. Within a few seconds of making that statement, my family stormed towards the door angered. They told me and the gentleman that the waitress call me out of my name (twice) and was being disrespectful towards me (even though I left the table). We left immediately. The entire situation had left my family frazzled.

Keep in mind, we were so excited to dine at this African restaurant and explore Brooklyn. We were a party of four and three are Ghanaian. We were so disappointed with the service and the attitude from the waitress. I was upset that the two young ladies I was with had to witness that behavior.

The morale of the story, if you visit this restaurant and a lady (light-browned complexed, slightly tall with short curly hair) is your waitress, WALK OUT. She will ruin your experience.

Btw, I attempted to reach out to the gentleman via the restaurants main line to fulfill my promise to give my honest feedback. The lady answering the phone said he wasn’t in and did not know if he was ever coming back. I do not believe that this was the same person from the day before because the waitress accent (if any) was not strong or noticeable. It’s a shame that the gentleman is no longer there because I would have rather told him directly and not had to...