19/08/2024: Together with Eze The Glocalizer (@eze_theglocalizer) I went to visit L’embuscade to try out their menu for Black Love of Food (@blackloveoffood)!
We loved that the place is fully vegan and black-owned. Eze is Cameroonian so to see a fellow Cameroonian owner of such a gem, was obviously extra heartwarming. And yes, I said it: a gem. What a place with dope food. Think African fine dining but without the crazy fine dining prices.
We literally had to ask for some explanations for the dishes (also out of curiosity) and you’re taken on a journey of different African countries such as Senegal and of course Cameroon.
What did we taste?
Drinks:
Ginger Lemonade
Passionfruit Lemonade
— delicious, fresh, those tropical flavours never get boring. Could literally drink it everyday. We went for alcohol free but ngl that the cocktails looked stellar and there was a cue for it lol.
Appetizers:
Cantaloupe Melon and Safou Tartar
Crostini with Saka Saka and Pineapple Flambé
— Literally things I’ve never seen on a menu before let alone taste. It was so good. I’m not really one for any type of tartar (which is why it was initially Eze’s dish) but I can truly say it was good, soft on the tongue and really nicely combined in terms of flavour. The crostini was so good I almost melted.
Mains:
Mbakhalou Saloum (A Senegalese bowl with a rice base, peanut sauce, black eyed peas, West-African spices and a tamarind glazed portobello mushroom skewer)
Mbongo Tofu (A Cameroonian bowl with soy beans, tofu, white sweet potato, sautéed spinach with Mbongo spices, kale and oven baked plantain)
— These bowls were so gooood. I loved the incorporation of West-African spices, filled bowls with so much flavour but also so good for the body. You could feel that they know what’s good for you in all of the senses. We are from each other’s bowls and were sad when they were empty but oh so grateful.
Desserts:
Los Diablitos (mini beignets with dark chocolate on a bed of pear, caramel drizzle and shredded coconut)
Flambeur (plantain flambé with rum, oat crumble and ice cream)
— These combinations were surprising yet heavenly! We are both not a great fan of liquor in desserts but L’embuscade did the damn thing. With plantain?? Come on now. Creative, delicious, just head over there already.
L’embuscade knows what they’re doing. They also host private events in a nook in the back and their underground cosy club. The owner is such a generous person and literally introduced as to another African restaurant owner that we will tell you more about soon. Their spirit is warm and the audience is so diverse. That’s really lovely to see as someone in the African diaspora, cause indeed, we should get to know these flavours more. Africa is such a big and diverse continent where food is at the heart of the many different cultures.
10/10, don’t miss out on this place in your lifetime, ok?? Ok.
You can find the full video on our page @blackloveoffood✨
26/07/2024: Very good food and super friendly staff! :) I loved !
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