Tatale hosts pop-up supper club ahead of January opening: “Not just a culinary experience but a journey of the senses”
Tatale is an innovative and imaginative dining concept by Akwasi Brenya-Mensa – a restauranteur and broadcaster who hopes to capture the spirit of the chop bars that make up an important part of the West African food landscape. So far, the concept has only existed as a pop-up but will soon be opening as a Pan-African restaurant at the Africa Centre in January 2022.
We went to Tatale’s most recent pop-up supper club in Islington to sample some of the dishes that Brenya-Mensa has been carefully crafting and perfecting for months.
To start, we had the Black-eyed Bean Hummus with Red Palm Oil and Dukkah (a condiment consisting of a mixture of herbs, nuts, and spices) served with plantain crisps. The hummus was smooth and full of warm and spicy flavours, while the plantain crisps added a hint of sweetness and texture.
Next, we had the Nkatekwan (peanut soup) with Omo Tuo (mashed rice). The soup was nourishing and comforting and alive with nutty flavours, and the omo tuo was an equally comforting accompaniment that soaked up every last morsel. It was followed by the Yaji Fried Chicken with Honey and Spicy Yaji Dust. The chicken skin was wonderfully crisp and candied, and the tender meat fell off in the bone before melting in the mouth. This was served with Cassavas Bravas – a pleasing alternative to potato, which worked exceptionally well with the seasoning of the dish.
Dessert was the creamy and indulgent Calabash Rice Pudding, served with aromatic hibiscus-poached pear – a beautiful way to close the meal with subtle and fragrant flavours.
Tatale isn’t just a culinary experience but a journey of the senses, as each dish explores a range of flavours and textures to bring the diner a unique and transcendent experience. If this was anything to go by, we can’t wait to return in January 2022.
Alex Julie Woods
Photos: Courtesy of Tatale
Tatale opens at the Africa Centre 66 Great Suffolk Street London SE1 0BL in January 2022. To book a table visit their website here.
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