By Aurelius Butler,Minneapolis

Delectable West African cuisine dot the menu of the new “destination restaurant” on the north side of Minneapolis’ Lyndale Avenue in the Camden Neighborhood in the United States of America.

Amid the developing North Lyndale Avenue Strip in the Camden Neighborhood of Minneapolis, in a casual chic restaurant where contemporary design complements interpretations of classic West African style, guests partake of generous portions of authentic West African cuisine.  The restaurant will showcase real African food to a busy neighborhood that has not had this option thus far.

The food will be Pan-African (although mainly West Africa) inspired.  A myriad of dishes – such as beef kabob, beef pockets, spicy grilled chicken wings – dot linen-covered tables, creating a collage of African fare.  Dinner entrees follow and include such delicacies as cassava leaf, potato greens, torborgee, okra sauce, “crazy dry rice”, and fried or grilled fish with fried plantains.  If there is any room for dessert, try the house Rice Bread or titillate the palate with ambrosia (a dessert fruit salad). As a perfect after dinner treat, why not try the Thatched Hut (fried plantains topped with a scoop of ice cream).

Salimatu Butler is City Afrique’s executive chef. She has established an exciting menu that offers variety rarely seen in an African restaurant. The large grilled or fried Tilapia – marinated in her special blend of seasoning – and served on a bed of “crazy dry rice” or Attieke (couscous) is already a customer favorite. So are the spicy wings, which are also marinated in a special blend of seasoning.

City Afrique’s gourmet meals are prepared by executive chef and culinary director Salimatu Butler, who honed her craft under the tutelage of her grandmother in Monrovia, Liberia and considers each meal her greatest culinary creation yet. Before opening CityScapes Afrique Restaurant, Mrs. Butler owned and operated a catering business in the Twin Cities and suburbs.  She studied culinary arts at Le Cordon Bleu School of Culinary Arts at Brown College in Mendota Heights, MN.

City Afrique offers guests a more relaxed approach to life.  The restaurant offers diners touches inspired by the African concept on kinship.  Underlying this concept is the true spirit of community, where every guest experiences the same relaxed and fun-filled atmosphere and service no matter who they are.  Design features include brightly painted walls with authentic African wood carvings placed about the place.

 The differentiation factor about City Afrique Restaurant is that it is headed by an experienced chef who decides every day what their daily changing offering of culinary delight will be.

Seating capacity for the restaurant is currently 45 (with no reservations), with a separate party area for 50 – the perfect setting for private functions against an interesting and vibrant backdrop.  With its accommodating atmosphere, City Afrique is the ideal setting even for smaller celebrations in the main dining room.

A takeaway service is also available throughout the day, perfect for those who want to enjoy the authenticity of City Afrique’s offerings in the comfort of their own home.  The wait time can be reduced by calling ahead to place orders.  The restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday from 11:00 AM to 9:00PM.  Furthermore, anyone who joins City Afrique’s mailing list via www.cityafrique.com will receive 10% off their total bill with proof of registration.

City Afrique is located at 4326 Lyndale Avenue North in the Camden Neighborhood of Minneapolis just south of Interstate 94 and west of Dowling Avenue.