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This is about food. Not diets, health, cholesterol, acid reflux or any
of the other crap with which people obsess. This is about the best
restaurants owned by people of color in the world. This is about kicking it
up twelve notches and not giving a hoot about your waistline. |
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A bunch has changed over the course of the past year. Some people are going to be elated
and some pissed. Those who are
pissed need to get with the program!
AfroTrek discovered some great new joints in wonderfully old
places. We also revisited some
old places with new faces! In the end quality broke through and some
traditions went out the window. Restauranteurs invested serious money into
their establishments for decor and first-rate chefs. Consequently, a more upscale crowd can
be found stuffing their faces in these "neo-Afrocen" eateries. Is the down home, artery clogging, blood pressure raising,
finger-licking soul food a thing of the past? Nope, it can still be found and loved in the hoods. Now there is an Afro centric option! [NOTE: Afrotrek Favorites Sturkey's in Cincy, Swank in MIlwaukee, and Dowes in Pittsburgh all bought the farm recently and are now closed. However, another favorite will back in business soon after a time recovering from Katrina. Dooky Chase will open it's doors once again!] |
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1045
Brush Street Detroit
MI (313)
965-1245 No longer a best kept secret, this Detroit eatery is ever consistant. Exec Chef Jerry Nottage continues his reign on top of our list knocking
out an old favorite by serving up dishes like Fried Lobster, Rack of Lamb with some sort of mustard sauce and some better-than-average Peach cobbler. SGB continues
to raise Detroits culinary scene with its excellence. |
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Georgia Brown is the brainchild of Frank Taylor who cut
his teeth with Marriott. SGB is
perfectly situated in the revived Greek Town area downtown and near
everything. Attire is business
casual and the prices are suitable for the excellent cuisine! Look for live jazz while you nosh. |
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Omni
Hotel 251 S
Olive Street Los
Angeles, CA (213)
356-4100 Aside from the rest of us knowing Bob Gadsby can cook, Mr.
Thriller Michael Jackson had a family reunion at Noe! Constantly updating the menu is what
keeps Noe fresh and on top in LA and on AfroTrek's ten best. The Spontanee 9 Course Tasting is the best way to go. Gadsby is splitting time
with his latest joint in Houston located in the Houston Omni. There you can check out the 12 course grand tasting because it's well, as big as Texas! |
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950 15th Street, NW Washington, DC (202) 393-4499 Yes, there are two outstanding eateries (at least) with the Georgia Brown tag. When in DC head over to this casual but
elegant dining room and sup on Lobster Timbale, inspiring Crab Cake trio, or the Blackberry roasted duck. Diners are encouraged to order the
bountiful sides and share amongst the table. Exec Chef JJ Nassar, continues to create soulful feast that everyone enjoys. |
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17
West 125th Street Harlem,
NY (212)
876-9300 Actually there are two Mobay's with the other in
Brooklyn. No matter, this is the
one you must visit. Mobay is the
contracted form of Montego Bay, Jamaica. Head here and youll nosh at one of
the best Jamaican restaurants in the world without every going to the
Island. If you can find better
Curried Goat you are only fooling yourself. The BBQ chicken & Rib platter will set you straight
and the Chocolate cake will send you. |
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J.J.'s
PARADISE RESTAURANT & BAR Marigot
Bay, St. Lucia St. Lucia is in the Windward Isles and was completely
missed by all the 2004 hurricanes!
Even Mother Nature likes J.J.'s. Chef/owner Gerard Felix was a yacht
cook who picked up skills while circling the globe. Now he tantalizes patrons with creative seafood and
chicken dishes. Go for the
Lobster Marigot or Creole Octopus. Desserts aren't much to write home about,
but the ocean views are! |
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4655 South King Drive Chicago, IL (773) 536-6000 In the heart of the historic Bronzeville neighborhood you'll find the best Afrocentric restaurant in Chicago. Upscale, casual,
spacious and jazzy. Well modulated music sets the backgorund as you dine on Chef Blackmon's inspiring seafood fondue for starters. Opt for the Chicken Gorgonzola or
the Chipotle Ribs. Finish with the expertly prepared Tiramisu. Can't miss unless you go on Monday (closed). |
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SHARON
& PHEBE'S Charlotteville,
Tobago Sharon Benjamin is the chef/owner and Phebe is her
daughter. Phebe's claim to fame
is her survival of open heart surgery as an infant. Sharon's claim is her delicious and eclectic food. Except for a few chicken dishes, the
oral menu features seafood-lobster, dolphin, shrimp, etc. Go for dinner, as that's when service
is best and when Sharon is doing the cooking. Enjoy the views of the bay
below. |
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Bon Apetit! |
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Are there other good joints? Of course! But AfroTrek holds these restaurants up according to
service, food, decor, location, value, creativity and ambiance. Some good ones that missed the cut
include Sylvia's in NYC, BJ's Market in Chicago, Arthur Bryants
in KC, and several that are not certain of
their continued existance. New eateries such as the Negro League Cafe in Chicago,
Seldom Blues in Detroit,
and a few others need time to settle in. Relatively new Brownstone on Main
in Columbus OH just barely missed the cut; look for it next year. As did B Smiths in Washington DC, the only
B Smith Restaurant with an African American Exec Chef! Many traditional favorites like
Warmdaddy's in Philly, Army &
Lou's in Chicago and others need a serious makeover though the food is generally good. Michael Jordan's
Steakhouse in NYC isn't owned or operated by people of color. Sean "P Diddy" Combs Justins in NYC and Atlanta were both too
inconsistant - especially for what they charged and are now closed! BB King's
in Memphis needs to rekindle a fire missing this past year as it has fallen to the average joint ranks.
Many of the African and Caribbean owned joints dotting the landscape are fine for a totally casual dinner but lack location to make them viable for a visitor (and
general population). That's it! That's the criteria and it was practiced and enforced by several AfroTrek reviewers. |
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