Located on West 116th Street in an area so well know for immigrants from West Africa it is nicknamed" Le Petit Senegal," Safari New York's only Somali restaurant stands out. And though only opened since May Safari has clearly won the hearts of local West Africans, and many others for its unique flavorful food and colorful service, and cool fun vibe.

Though Ethiopia and and Somalia are neighbors their cuisines are very different. (I bring this up as many New Yorker's have tried Ethiopian cuisine) The front dish on the photo is Kismaayo Chicken Suqqar (a hearty flavorful chicken stew) a traditional dish from the southern part of Somalia. To the left is Sbaayad (chapati) and in the back is a plate of Roasted Goat. Please note that there are a couple of "pasta dishes" as well, this influenced from Somalia's nearly fifty years under Italian occupation.

One of the main reasons that I am enchanted by Safari is because of the owner and her staff. They are not just warm and accommodating, but FUN! During my lunch the beat of Zulfa Somali music filled the small space vibrantly, and the staff broke into dancing displaying "special Somali steps" for myself and others dining. Questions were asked about the music scene in the country, various artists, etc. Very cool. The owner is Maymuuna Birjeep who goes by the name "Mona" (pictured left)  She was born in the southern Somalia, but grew up in Sweden.  She worked in the financial industry in the city for thirteen years before opening Safari seven months ago. Standing to next to her is her cousin Jamal Hashi who is the chef of Safari. He previously owned two restaurants in Minneapolis.

Next to him is another "Mona," she is the main server.  Minneapolis by the way has the highest number of Somali immigrants of any city in the US as many immigrated in the mid 1990's escaping the Somali Civil War.

The Roasted Goat.  Roasted for a full six hour. Note the little dish on the plate, this contains "bisbaas" sauce and it is served virtually with every main dish. The sauce has a searing hot flavor and is always accompanied by a small banana to "cool the heat" down. I loved the sauce as it was and decided to take the banana with me for later. The goat was pretty tender and tasted good, however,as with all goat dishes there are a lot of bones to work about.

Apologize that this photo slightly out of focus. This wall inside Safari is fascinating, as it displays the thirty-six letters that make up the original Osmanya Somali alphabet. 

There is the banana, to "cool down the heat" from bisbaas sauce. 

Somalia interesting fact - British Somaliland gained independence from Britain on June 26, 1960 - and Italian Somaliland gained independence a few day later from Italy on July 1, 1960.

Somali language - "Hello" (Assaalum Alaykum)  "Thank you" (Mahadsanid)  "Delicious" (Dhadhanah)

Address - 219 West 116th(646) 964 - 4250