March 10, 2015

REVIEW: L'Afric Restaurant

I know I said I was going to do more reviews this year, as part of my 2015 Blogging Goals, but I've kinda shied away from them. I generally feel like if I've already posted a weekend update with a restaurant visit, there's no need for a separate review post. But that's just cheating :(

Anyways, as you know, over the weekend, Cakes and I went to lunch with my parents to L'Afric Restaurant. It's located at #1 Adeola Hopewell Street, but the entrance is on Sanusi Fafunwa Street, in Victoria Island. Funny enough, when I first moved to Lagos, I used to go there quite often and ate only 1 thing on their menu - Special Fried Rice which comes with Shrimps, Shredded Chicken and Plantain. It really appealed to my taste buds! Another thing I liked was the ambiance. It was the first time I was eating in a restaurant that served mainly Nigerian food that I actually liked and felt comfortable in. I would take myself out, with a book or magazine, head to L'Afric and have a Chapman and my usual Special Fried Rice.
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Somehow, I stopped going there - no fault of theirs. But when our plans to have the lunch buffet at Intercontinental Hotel fell through on Sunday, we decided to go to L'Afric. For one thing, Cakes and I remembered enjoying their food in the past. And secondly, my parents had never been there.

When you get seated at L'Afric, you're given a small bowl of groundnuts to start off with. We were extremely hungry, so this was very welcome! Our waitress was just okay - we had to call her several times through the course of our stay there. It would have been nicer if she was more attentive and came to check on us. We ordered our starter, which is a meal on its own, and we were informed that it would take 25 minutes to be ready (I wanted to cry). While waiting, we ordered drinks - I usually get water or Chapman at restaurants.

True to word, our Special Platter came in about 25 minutes. It had fried plantain, fried yam, fries, 2 chicken wings, 2 butterfly prawns, 2 peppered snails, and 2 fish thingies (not fingers but close). It came with a pepper sauce, and we asked for ketchup to add to it. Everything on this plate was YUMMY!!!!! It's large enough for two people to share as a meal, so keep that in mind. Price - N6000, which was expensive in my opinion.


For our entrees, my dad ordered the Seafood Okra, which honestly tasted more like tomatoes than anything else. None of us were impressed.


My mum ordered the Yam Pottage (which came with bits of Snail). She liked it, but I didn't. Don't take my word for this because I don't like yam pottage in general.


Cakes and I ordered the Special Fried Rice (comes with Shrimps, Shredded Chicken and Fried Plantain). The plantain that came with our dishes was not soft, and we had specifically asked for soft plantain. The rice was too spicy - as in too much pepper. Neither Cakes nor I could eat the food, and opted to pack it up.


Overall, we wished we had gone to Yellow Chili instead, as their food is a guaranteed hit. L'Afric was just okay - the drinks were okay, the platter was great, and the entrees were blah.

Our food, plus 2 large Chapmans, 1 Tonic Water, 1 Club Soda and 2 small bottles of water, came to N23,000. The truth of the matter is, for 4 people in Lagos, that's not too bad. I just don't think the quality of the food was good enough to match the price.

Point to note: They have a separate room for if you want to have small group events. Additionally they have a Members Only area. I'm not sure what it takes to be a member, or why they need their own separate space to eat.

Website: www.lafricrestaurant.com
Email: info@lafricrestaurant.com
Address: #1 Adeola Hopewell Street (enter on Sanusi Fafunwa)
Phone: 08130053886
Hours: Open 8am to 10pm (Monday to Saturday); 10am to 10pm (Sundays)




19 comments:

  1. i just stumbled to this blog..... I like L'Afric because they have a class of their own..... i'm not a fan of yellow chili.....
    i would be breezing in from time to time

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    Replies
    1. Really?! I love Yellow Chili food. I've never been disappointed.

      Delete
  2. Av bin a silent reader for a long time...but I think you complain a lot.it think it takes much to impress or satisfy you.cakes must be a very patient somebori.....

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    Replies
    1. Hi Lola, thanks for reading. Cakes IS a very patient person, and I love him even more for that. That being said, it does take quite a bit to impress me, and being a picky eater makes it that much harder. However, when I like or love something, I rave about it here, there and everywhere e.g. Nazuri Curls (clip-ins), Aimas (where I bought the ankara print jersey fabric), etc.

      Thanks for your comment though and have a nice day :)

      Delete
    2. @lola..you read my mind. I think its 'short person's syndrome'. They are always hyper, complain a lot and think they are all that and a packet of chips. You would think someone that is 'picky' about food would be nice and slim and not FAT..excatly.

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    3. Hi Nengi,

      First of all, BUAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
      Secondly, HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
      Thirdly, MUAHAHAHAHAHA.

      You're hilarious! :D

      Delete
    4. @Nengi...your comment was and is not necessary..If she complains,that is how she feels and she has a right to her own opinions..She was not even rude in the review...Who determines who is FAT and why call her names for that...All hail thee miss NICE AND SLIM...

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    5. i never comment but omg lola and especially Nengi, u are horrible people. It's called a review, should she say she liked something that she didn't. Won't that defeat the purpose of an honest review. You both should learn how to talk to people. Nengi, it's extremely rude to talk to someone in that manner, weren't you taught better? its just wrong. Berry a beg don't mind them you can always tell bitter/unhappy people from their comments.
      ify

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    6. Nawa oh...Nengi you have been beefing berry since...is not just this post that is making you angry...we have seen you...tall and skinny...

      Delete
  3. Hey Berry, i am a fan of L'afric Restaurant but my last meal there which was their special fried rice got me disappointed. In our own case, the food was bland, we requested for blended chilli that really helped..... detailed review though

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    1. Yay, Special Fried Rice sister! Hopefully, it was a one-off that yours was bland. Whenever I go back again, I'll just do the platter I think.

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    2. @Berry: have you ever tried their Efo-Riro???It's the best in Lagos...buhahahaha

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    3. I haven't! Maybe I will next time. Thanks for the recommendation :)

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  4. I don't live in Lag and I miss my Abj days, don't know if PH has so much to offer as per restaurants. This just makes me miss good restaurants more. I like the review. Nengi your comment was really uncalled for and rude.
    Hi all,


    Please check out my blog, Wordsbykoko.blogspot.com


    Thanks :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehe, PH - my home town. There's Asia Town, Genesis, Charcoal and Spice (this was a huge favorite for me), Eastern Garden, and maybe try all the restaurants in the nicer hotels.

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  5. Berry d Berry. Do u think people will like 2 visit those restaurants u complain about? #justthinking still like you n your blog anywhere.

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    Replies
    1. Hi Leally,

      The purpose of a review is to give my honest opinion, and what some people like, others won't. I clearly enjoyed the platter (just not the price), and my mum enjoyed her yam pottage. As readers, if anyone has had a fantastic experience there, they are welcome to share their opinions. I've seen other food blogs skewer restaurants that I love - but I won't stop going there, because everyone's taste is different.

      Delete
  6. Hey, Berry. Ask about becoming a member, I'd like to know why they have a separate room too.
    Have a couple theories but then my mind has been known to run riot with theories.
    Keep having a blast, girl!!!

    ReplyDelete

  7. Are you interested in a hotel job in Lagos Nigeria? Contact Mr Ralph on +2348137860813 and forward your c.v to (infovisatech@yahoo.com) the payment is okay and there is also staff bus and accommodation.

    ReplyDelete

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