AFRICANA — Restaurant in St. Louis

My husband and I were excited to try a new African restaurant. Upon entering it was beautifully decorated with Adinkra symbols and oversized masks on wallpaper. So the vibe was nice. We were challenged by the heat in the place because the AC was not working effeciently or it was turned up too high. My husband was literally dripping with sweat. The waiter was nice enough and polite. He could have given us 3 menus instead of 1 for 3 adults to share though.

The food was only ok in my opinion. It was nicely plated and presented. I was disappointed however to find no seafood option for any of the soups or stews. We started with the beef and lamb suya and an African devled egg. Im used to suya being grilled and covered in spice. This was not grilled and suya only sprinkled on top. Egg was nice but 1 egg was 5 dollars. My daughter got the snapper. It was mildly seasoned fried and dry. They didnt include any sauce with it. A red sauce with sauted onions and bell peppers with it would have been better. Better yet, offer side of egusi or red stew to offer a seafood option for the soups and stews. She got the jollof rice with it and that came with sauce. She didnt eat it and took it home so I dont know how it tasted. My husband got the peanut stew. He said it was too watery and not peanuty enough. I got the egusi soup. I got tofu since no seafood. The food was ok but it wasnt the egusi soup I know. The fufu was good but the egusi soup was good but tasted more like spinach stew than egusi soup. No egusi flavor and it wasnt prominent in the dish. Lastly every menu item was itemized... Nothing came with anything. Im used to fufu or rice coming with stew or soup. Here, its a separate price along with the meat. So 30 for egusi soup with tofu and fufu is wild to me. My husband also got Zorbo.. a hibiscus spiced tea. Dont remember the price but it was in a small coctail glass instead of a full glass and it was only mildly spiced and mildly sweetened.. Im used to full glasses and robust spiced sweet flavor. We ended up paying around $176 for 3 of us. But I started with the original owners of Africa Palace and Ofure where these were included so this shift in St. Louis is disappointing and im more likely to just cook it at home. . But ive been to Africa and been eating African food for 35 years. . I also realize different regions in Africa cook differently so maybe im used to the Nigerian way. I hear this place is Ghanaian but ive loved Ghanaian food in other cities. For the person who wouldnt know the difference, they will likely like it and be ok with it. They are no different from any of the other new African restaursnts in St. Louis. But in my opinion STL African restaurants have improved in vibe and appearance, increased the price , but declined on the food quality...

I’d say this place is really nice, dark but nice setting. I waited 25-30 minutes waiting for someone to bring me a drink or should I say at least a water. I was asked by 3 men several minutes apart and still never received a the drink of my preference. After patiently waiting alone I had a friend join me. Service was very questionable so we went to the bar. Food was really good we both had egusi soup and yam and rice and chicken wings for a starter. The chicken when came out last although they were ordered when the first guy approached me to ask what I wanted when I was alone (30 min later) just to get a plate with 4 party wings for 10$ plus tax let’s say 12 $ for 4 party wings 😠 . The wings were very good though please don’t get me wrong as well as the egusi soup with beef. My bill totaled to be 65 dollars for egusi soup with beef , 4 party wings, and a tequila sunrise for 14$. Needless to say I won’t be back they’re still figuring out how to properly operate a business . From the inside looking in everyone kept going to the young lady Sadi for answers on the smallest things and even she was getting a little overwhelmed hell I was overwhelmed for her myself that’s the only reason I waited. To the guy that served me and my friend at the bar thank you I appreciate you assisting us..

But if your looking for some good Nigerian food I’d consider going to LEVELS on Washington they have never let me down and the service quantity and quality all matches and they also have a beautiful restaurant as well.

Thanks Africana, Hopefully I can visit again in the future and things are operating...

First let me start by stating we did see a lot of doordash and take out orders and now I know why. The food was coo, one deviled egg for $5 was insane, it was good not 1 for $5 fantastic tho. The building itself is esthetically pleasing, however just like their silverware, their service didn't match. I was with my sis and bro and my ENTIRE order was never ordered. I watching my family dig in (I told them to), after waiting like 10-15 min our waiter came over to ask how we were doing only to remember that, "Oh my God", I did forget your order. It was definitely a horrifying experience that I won't forget even if they forgot me. The manager did correct the situation, he gave me the food, but I told him I wasn't gonna stay in the restaurant and eat my food after I was completely forgotten (mind you when i got my food 45min later my fam had been done eatting). Great fried plantains, tho...🤷🏾‍♀️🤷🏾‍♀️

Edit: I am forgiving for being forgotten, however my review was honest. Not to mention that the waiter in question came to our table 3 more times before realizing my order wasn't placed. He spilled my brother's drink (which i had to ask to be cleaned), after he served both my siblings he came back again to wash my sisters hands (30mins in im the only one without food), napkins weren't brought to us after asking (when we ordered finger food), I could...