Every week, I document another dish that impressed and satiated me during my food adventures around New York City
Bowls are quite the rage in New York. They’re super simple and allow the ingredients to shine. Pick a base (usually salad, rice, or grain), a protein, toppings, and a sauce. I actually really like them.
And it seems it’s infiltrated every culture’s food here in the city. We have Japanese bowls, Mexican bowls, Italian bowls, Indian bowls, Australian bowls. You name it.
But until I discovered the fresh and bright café Teranga hiding on the northeastern corner of Central Park, I had yet to see African food make its way into this bowl sensation.
Teranga sits inside the Africa Center, a recently opened cultural center with African exhibits and events. The space is exciting and modern. There is a museum vibe but there is also a hipster thing going on as well.
I absolutely loved it and was only disappointed to realize how far away it is from my apartment. Because I would truly be here multiple times a week.
And I would probably always order the Market Plate.
My customized bowl ended up being very colorful as you can see in the photo below. Not sure if any combination gets you a beautiful Instagram-ready plate or I just lucked out.
I must admit I am not as well versed in African cuisine as I am in say Italian. So I was thankful for the descriptors on the menu. For my base, I chose Attieke, which is a couscous made from fermented cassava. It had a rich nutty flavor that held up to the toppings above it.
The grilled chicken was amazing – smoky, tender, and full of flavor. I topped it with a caramelized onion and lime sauce called Yassa that was perfect with the chicken.
On one side of the meat, I got a summery salad with tomatoes, watermelon, cucumber, and mango and on the other, an earthy salad made of beets and fornino (a grain similar to millet).
I wish Teranga all the luck in the world. It’s an exciting place that has the ability to introduce a new cuisine to those who may not seek it out on their own. The only thing that could make it better is if it was closer to my apartment. Price: $10-$14
| TERANGA |
| 1280 Fifth Avenue (at 109th Street), Inside Africa Center, East Harlem |
| itsteranga.com |
