South African Cuisine at Madiba Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY

Dine in the Communual Spirit of Shebeen

May 11, 2009 Diana Ogilvie

Madiba Restaurant offers authentic South African dishes that please the palates of novice and experienced diners.

Peri-Peri (or piri-piri) is a small chili pepper grown in South Africa and the neighboring countries. The oil is ubiquitous in the foods prepared at Madiba Restaurant in Brooklyn. The first ever, themed South African restaurant in the United States, the restaurant has locations in Fort Green, Brooklyn, and Miami.

Madiba Restaurant Offers one of Brooklyn's Largest Patios

Owners Mark and Jenny Henegan developed the restaurant’s dining concept in the tradition of the shebeen or an informal dining hall in the townships. The al fresco dining is one of the largest in Brooklyn, boasting fourteen tables. Upon entering, the bar area is intimate with a large flat screen television. Surprisingly, around the corner is a very large dimly lit, dining hall with tables for multiple diners. This is definitely a meeting place for large groups of friends or family members who will appreciate the authentic sounds of Fela Kuti streaming through the speakers. Large windows provided views of the diners at the outdoor tables and the Brooklyn evening traffic flow.

In the spirit of the informal dining, the restaurant is decorated with native bushmen art, with a hint of pop art elements. There is a huge cow’s skin hung on the high wall juxtaposed against the chandelier made out of empty vintage glass Coke bottles. The huge mural of the continental Africa encapsulates a smiling, portrait of a young Nelson Mandela. The colorful paintings, native drums and large tin basins are sprinkled throughout the hall giving the feel of an unrehearsed, natural gathering.

Informative Wait Staff Explain South African Cuisine

The wait staff was happy to explain the nuances of South African cuisine to diners who were not familiar with peri-peri oil, samosas and biryani. The Prawns Peri –Peri is served with seasoned yellow rice, infused with raisins and cool green salad on the same plate. The oil is seasoned with vinegar, salt, pepper and lots of garlic. The flavors of this dish are very well balanced with the oil as the main ingredient. Despite the fact that peri-peri oil is made from a chili pepper, it is not very spicy. In fact, spiciness is a none issue.

Naturally, Madiba’s wine list hosts various wines from South Africa. Afterall, the region has emerged as one of world’s largest suppliers of wine. The Indaba chardonnay’s fruity citrus taste complemented the prawns. It is recommended that couples buy a bottle of wine instead of paying per glass.

First time patrons are encouraged to visit the restaurant’s website, join the mailing list and download a ten dollar coupon that will be applied to their first meal. A dinner for two with appetizers, main course, desert and a bottle of wine cost $61.00. This coupon is only applicable to first time diners.

Madiba Restarant 136 Dekalb Ave, Brooklyn, NY .

The copyright of the article South African Cuisine at Madiba Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY in Herbs & Spices is owned by Diana Ogilvie. Permission to republish South African Cuisine at Madiba Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.