Safari restaurant11/22/2023 In Swahili, the word safari means “journey,” an apt name for the origins of both the restaurant and its Somali owners-reflecting their migration to America becoming first-time restaurateurs in NYC and re-introducing the culinary legacy of Somalia on 116th street, an area known today as Le Petit Sénégal. Mid-century, they made their way to Harlem and for decades, ran businesses there (delis, clothing shops, markets), with the majority closing for good by the late 2000s after civil unrest in Somalia led to migration shifts (little has been documented of these early decades though, either written or photographed). “I just came across it, sometimes there is a spiritual connection that leads you.” Photo by Cole Saladino for ThrillistĪs the first African and Islamic immigrants to come to the United States in the early part of the 20th century, Somalis arrived as sailors from British Somaliland. “I was reading the history of the time, and before the war in Somalia, there were Somali seamen who used to come to Harlem-particularly to that area,” says Birjeeb, who was born in the southern port city of Kismaayo and grew up in Sweden (Farah, her husband, hails from Galka’ayo in northern Somalia). It’s a void she and her husband Shakib Farah, who is also the restaurant’s co-owner and chef, aim to fill with Safari-widely regarded as the only Somali restaurant in NYC. While Birjeeb (who goes by Mona) sees more people of Somali descent in today’s Harlem, traces of the neighborhood’s historic ties to her East African homeland have long faded. HAND PATTIED.When Maymuuna Birjeeb opened her Harlem-based restaurant Safari over six years ago, she had little notion it was once the site of a social haven-a lively spot to enjoy a cup of tea or have a smoke-in the 1950s for fellow Somali immigrants in NYC. Ranch (GF), Blue Cheese (GF), Honey Poppyseed (GF), Honey Mustard (GF), French (GF) (V), Italian (GF)(V), Balsamic Vinaigrette (GF) (V), Citrus Vinaigrette (GF) (V), Garlic Ginger(GF) (V), Pecan Vinaigrette (GF) (V), Caesar (GF)ĪLL BURGERS ARE CERTIFIED ANGUS BEEF, 1/2 LB. Lightly smoked tuna salad on a bed of mixed greens, cucumber, tomato, carrot shreds, baguettes, dressing With gala apples, craisins, pecans, house made honey poppyseed dressing served over mixed greens, cucumber, tomato, carrot shreds, toasted baguette & dressing Wood grilled jumbo shrimp skewer (1 on small, 2 on large)romaine, tomato basil blend, croutons & house made Caesar dressing Wood grilled, citrus ponzu marinated ribeye steak over Asian vegetable slaw topped with crispy wontons tossed in a ginger garlic dressing Mixed green lettuces, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrot shreds,īlueberries, strawberries & sliced boiled eggs Romaine, tomato basil blend, croutons, house made Caesar 7 Mixed greens, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, carrot shreds 7 (V) Pickled onions, pico de gallo, mixed peppers or grilled onions 1 Smoked Yellowfin Tuna Dip, Hummus & Chicken Salad made withGala apples, craisins, pecans & honey poppyseed dressing with pita 15Ĭrispy corn tortilla chips, house made queso, tomato, salsa, black beans, candied jalapeños & sour cream Lightly smoked yellowfin tuna dip with pita 13 (GF) with veggies Served hot or over ice with lemon and house made cocktail sauce House made blended chickpeas with tahini, lemon, garlic & cuminĪdd olive oil & Everything Bagel seasoning 2 (GF) (V)įresh cauliflower with a rice flour & club soda batter 8 (V)(GF)Ĭhoice of Buffalo dusted with Buffalo sauce (GF) (V)ĥ petite house made lump crab cakes with remoulade & citrus garnish 15 Jumbo shrimp, crispy coconut breading with Dijon marmalade 15 Rice flour & almond crust with house made fig jam 11 (GF)
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