Teranga - a sound recommendation

No matter how many great places I go to eat, when someone asks me for a recommendation, I somehow manage to find myself at a loss for suggestions.  When put on the spot, I draw a blank - and it is not for want of good places to eat in Boston!

Having thought about this recurring situation, I have decided to have a few fall back options that I feel strongly will deliver a good, satisfying meal and experience.  Teranga is one such restaurant, and I have in fact suggested it to quite a few people in the past few weeks.

Located right on the corner of Washington and Mass Ave, this restaurant is Boston's first Senegalese restaurant. Marie-Claude, the Chef/owner does a fabulous job with an interior that really takes you away from the bustle of everyday Boston life with bright, traditional colours and a fabulous African inspired menu.

A friend of mine and I went a while ago and I have been wanting to go back every since!

We started off with some Accara, pictured above, which are seasoned black eyed pea fritters, accompanied with a tomato-onion sauce that is both sweet and tangy. This appetizer was perfectly fried with not too much batter. It set our palettes for the rest of the meal.

We also ordered some fruit juices that made for a nice change from usual cocktails or wine.

We ordered two different appetizers and shared. Up first were their Chicken skewers served in another intriguing tangy seasoning. A huge bonus to this dish was its accompaniement of fried sweet plantains which are honestly, one my hugest weaknesses.  A hint of onion and siracha added kick and complexity.

Our other choice was their National Dish, the Thiébou Djeun - herb-stuffed white fish, cooked in tomato stew with 'broken' jasmine rice.  As you can see, the rice itself is cooked in a tomato-based broth that gives it a suggested flavor so complimentary to the other aspects of the meal. Vegetables, which most often come as an afterthought, were actually my favorite part  We had big chunks of cassava (yucca), cauliflower, carrots and pumpkin, all stewed to perfection.

Although the fish was a little dry, everything else was expertly cooked and assembled.

I would love to go back and try the other dishes on their menu...or even to explore their brunch or vegetarian menu...

Until I can get myself there though, I will just have to live vicariously through others;)