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Taste of Africa restaurant

painting of elephant

painting of elephant

This week Ray and I celebrated Valentine’s Day a little late (we had to go on a date near his payday!). I googled online to look for a good Moroccan restaurant, and found Taste of Africa in Overland Park, Kansas, which is within an hour’s driving distance from us. It was the right choice; the food is delicious and the service is excellent!

African tribe

African tribe

I loved the vibrant colors of the restaurant (especially oranges and reds), with African paintings on the wall. They also play African music.

A Taste of Africa restaurant

Taste of Africa restaurant

 

African art

African art

 

paintings

paintings

Ray ordered the Kalahari Platter (tender pieces of goat, cooked in an assortment of herbs and spices with ugali, sauteed kale, sauteed cabbage, chapatti (a flat bread), and Kachumbari salad.

platter

Kalahari platter

The ugali is a sticky dish that is a staple at African meals. The chef and the waitress complimented Ray on eating it correctly–balling it up in his hand, and then sopping up the goat stew with it.  He was in his element.

Ray at Taste of Africa

Ray at Taste of Africa

They said most Americans eat it with their forks. (Of course, how would one know how to eat it properly without visiting Africa?) This made him smile very big, so proud.

ugali

ugali

Ray remembered how the native people in Kenya ate it as we visited there, when I spoke for three days at a women’s conference.

Beth Jones speaking, Kenya, Africa

Me speaking in Kenya, Africa with a translator

At Taste of Africa in Overland Park, Kansas, I ordered Mshikaki (chicken skewers–so good!), fries (it came with the meal as french fries often do in many countries), and Kachumbari (a wonderful little salad).

Mshikaki (Chicken skewers), fries, and Kachumbari (salad)

Mshikaki (Chicken skewers), fries, and Kachumbari (salad)

I had looked at the menu prior to us driving there and knew that without a shadow of a doubt, I wanted The Sweet Banana for my dessert--fried plantain slices drizzled with cinnamon sugar, topped with vanilla ice cream on chocolate and strawberry syrup. Ray and I shared it, even though I wanted it all!

The presentation was so pretty and Oh. My. Gosh. It was divine! (Or was it sinful?) My mouth is watering even thinking about it again!

The Sweet Banana

The Sweet Banana

The female chef is originally from Kenya and came to America as a student and to start her restaurant business. She came to our table to greet us; we complimented her on the wonderful and beautiful meal. 

If you haven’t tried this place yet, and you’re a wanna-be foodie like me, you’re in for a different, elegant experience!

You can find out more here.

When one of our African friends, Apostle Catherine of Nairobi, Kenya, saw my pics of the restaurant on Facebook, she said, “Welcome back to Kenya.”

Apostle Catherine Nairobi, Kenya

Apostle Catherine
Nairobi, Kenya

I believe one day we will return to Africa

me in black & white vest Ray bought me

me in black & white vest Ray bought me

I also believe our daughter Heather will go to Africa one day, as a mission trip there has been on her heart for years. I bought her pretty, blue, dangling earrings that the restaurant’s owners sell with other beautiful, colorful African jewelry there.

our beautiful daughter Heather

our beautiful daughter Heather

 

Heather's earrings

Heather’s earrings

 

jewelry

African jewelry

It was a fun date for Ray and me, and I’d love to go back sometime. What ethnic restaurants have you tried lately? Leave your comments below.

Blog

Celebrate your accomplishments

Do you celebrate your accomplishments, big or small? When you’ve achieved a dream or goal, do you reward yourself? 

Royal Gyros restaurant My lunch celebration

Lunch celebration at Royal Gyros restaurant

Yesterday, my husband Ray and I had a lunch date at Royal Gyros restaurant in Belton, MO, to celebrate a goal I’ve had over two years now, to get >all 10 of the books I’ve written on Amazon for Kindle! We had lamb, pita bread with hummus, Greek salad, and dolmades with tzatziki (creamy cucumber) sauce. It was so delicious!

My celebration lunch

My celebration lunch

Ray & me at celebration lunch

Ray & me at celebration lunch

Then we went by Home Depot for Ray to buy some paint and bolts to repair our front porch stair rail, and to HyVee to the bakery. I wanted to go to the Cheesecake Factory for a cheesecake dessert, but we couldn’t, so we went to HyVee, bought strawberry cheesecakes, and ate it in the diner. It was still good. Interestingly, the brand was “The Father’s Table.”

strawberry cheesecake

strawberry cheesecake

The cheesecake brand was "My Father's Table."

The cheesecake brand was “My Father’s Table.”

At Home Depot, I joked we should get glitter paint, and Ray said we should buy glow in the dark.(Ray settled for primer and flat black.) We had a divine appointment there in the check-out line, when the female cashier began talking to us about her brother, who used to be a cop and lost his job due to alcoholism. He’s now out of work. I asked his first name and told her we’d pray for him. She told us she’s a Christian and was very thankful to us. Always be open to how the Holy Spirit may be moving in your day-to-day life, using you for His glory.

Home Depot spray paints

Home Depot spray paints

The lunch was delicious and we had fun together. It’s so important to celebrate your accomplishments!

Me and my books in print; amazon.com/author/bethmjones

Me and my books in print
amazon.com/author/bethmjones

I already have four of my books in print copy, and my new goal is to have all ten of them in print by next year.

Meanwhile, you can find my books for sale in my store at BethJones.net and at my Amazon Author Page at amazon.com/author/bethmjones. Please share on your social media sites with your family, friends, and biz peers! Thank you for all your support, encouragement, and prayers for me!