Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen — Restaurant in Seattle

I want to start by expressing my admiration for Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen and the vision behind this woman-owned Ghanaian business. I've visited several times, both for special occasions and regular dining, and I've always been excited to support this establishment. The menu offers a variety of dishes that are generally quite good, and I appreciate the effort put into creating an authentic Ghanaian dining experience. However, I've noticed some systematic issues that I hope can be addressed over time. While the food has been enjoyable, I've sensed a shift in flavors that seems to cater more to the local Seattle audience, potentially at the expense of authentic Ghanaian tastes. For example, the meat pies have a hint of what tastes like corned beef, and the jollof rice contains an unusual amount of scallions, which is not typical of traditional Ghanaian jollof rice. My dining experience for my partner's birthday was also met with some challenges. We provided a birthday cake with the intention of having it presented with candles for a celebration, but it was simply brought back to us in the box. Additionally, the sobolo (hibiscus drink) served at our table tasted diluted and unfamiliar compared to what I usually enjoy. A recent delivery order further highlighted some operational issues, as an item I was particularly excited about was missing from the order and I was contacted to pick up an order the following day that I didn't place (clerical error). These experiences have led me to seek more consistent dining experiences elsewhere for now. I truly believe in the potential of Gold Coast Ghal Kitchen and have high hopes for its future. With greater attention to detail and a focus on maintaining the authenticity of the dishes, I believe it can become a standout dining destination in the area. I'll be looking forward to returning in the summertime, hoping to see positive changes and...

Had a friend visiting from Los Angeles and thought this would be a fun new place to try, intrigued by the promise of authentic West African cuisine. I instantly regretted suggesting this place. The "greeting" we received upon entry was cold and irritated. Later come to find out it was the owner of the business who gave this irritated and cold greeting. Perhaps they were understaffed because we saw her bouncing around the restaurant doing different things.

Next, we waited over 15 minutes to be acknowledged for our drink orders... and it wasn't even very busy.

Next, and honestly the worst part. The food. Like another reviewer noted, the portion sizes were laughable. Served to you at $20+ per entree and seemed like what you'd box in a takeout container.

We started with the plantain (was so excited to try these since we normally don't get to enjoy authentic plantain without going to the specialty markets). They felt like they were undercooked. We each had a bite and that was it.

Then, our entrees. The meat in my stew was so overcooked I could barely get it down without drinking water. It almost tasted like it was leftover and reheated for days until they sold it. And it was overly salty. My friend had the goat soup and all she said was, "it was ok compared to the rest of the meal."

No one came by to check on us until we were "done" with our meals. By done, I mean we couldn't force ourselves to eat anymore. When asked if we wanted boxes, we declined. Given how much food we had left, I'd expected they'd ask if everything was ok. Nope. Simply dropped off the check. Over $80 later with cocktails, the appetizer and two entrees, I was left apologizing to my friend for recommending this place and the...

Chef and Owner Tina is providing a breath of fresh air at GCGK, cooking up serious soul food that left me fat and happy. The variety of flavors though diverse, all work together for a well-fixed plate of grub you don't want to put down. I eat quite a bit and couldn't quite polish off my jollof rice, and I came hungry. The portions for the price are fantastic. And if you are trying to be frugal, their sides menu and more affordable appetizer offerings are a great bang for your buck. Though based on what I had, I'd throw pretty much any amount of money Tina's way to cook me something lovely.

The vibe and ambience is reminiscent of a downtown spot in Portland, a cozy home atmosphere but with some modern flare. The back-bar is gorgeous, and their cocktail game isn't anything to sneeze at. I have run a few bars in Portland area as well as greater Seattle area, and can say that though they are simple offerings, they are executed in a powerful way. No negative comments on the drink service. I came on a Wednesday and was surprised so see how busy it was, and it sounded like people around me were enjoying their experience along with me.

The restaurant is intimate, and really drives the nail in of being a soul spot. The culture and care and trendy music make for a really nice date night destination, solo quick bite and drink watering hole, or whatever else you can think of. And they take care of takeout orders as well as catering!

Only being open a year and some change, I can confidently say they are doing something special here, and I look forward to the development...