Dakar …Creating life memories..:)

Tag: food

  • Le Dagorne…

    “Eh pourtant, pourtant je n’aime que toi..”

    Charles Aznavour

    Hello out there, hope this post finds you doing wonderful:)

    This year I have promised myself to try new things, new places. I told myself at the beginning of the year that I wanted to go to new places de manière organique. There were a few old ,establishments I had wanted to visit for a while now. Le Dagorne one of the oldest restaurant in town was on the list. It’s located near by le fameux Marché Kermel. Le Dagorne it was for my solo date. I wanted to avoid rush hour & planned for a quiet dinner.

    I called the restaurant to check their opening hours. I was told that doors would open at 19h 30. Perfect! it was Saturday and the drive to the city is usually easy. Downtown Dakar is rather quiet on weekends.Some locals often travel for the weekends while others frequent the Almadies or Corniche areas. I wanted to feel pretty in pink for myself.it’s important to celebrate our own womanhood without seeking the approval of others. My Yango ride picked me up and we talked about the yearly floods problems in the suburbs. He explained to me that during the rainy seasons, some families are forced to relocate in empty schools because their homes are totally flooded. We both agreed that the government should allocate more funds to resolve the pipelines issues that affect the population every single year.

    Once I arrived at the restaurant I was greeted by 2 experienced waitresses in their black knee length skirts & white blouses. I noticed their beautiful bare faces, life lived was their only make up !They wore their emotions in their eyes. I imagined the countless faces they have seen during their careers. It was Saturday evening , at this age they probably could have benefitted from a “relaxed evening ” at home. They looked beautiful yet understandably tired ! I had the restaurant to myself as I was hoping lol.I was walking around the dining room talking on the phone freely lol.

    While I was waiting for my gratin de pommes 2 terres au poulet,I was presented with a small plate of tiny sliced tomatoes .In my head I was thinking (what the h…l lol) & non enthusiastically I tried one tomatoe & soon after I found myself finishing the whole plate. They were seasoned just right , I wish I could have gotten the dressing recipe ..perfecto 🙂 Around 8: 30 PM, I was really surprised that the restaurant was still quiet. Delivery guys were coming in and out so . Things have really changed in Dakar, people ordering in is almost banale now.

    I don’t remenber the name of the cocktail but it was delicious.I am sure it was a mix of pineapple , orange and something else. It took a little while for my meal to be served. However once I was presented with my potato gratin, I was not disappointed at all. For dessert I wanted une creme brulée but it was not available so I ordered instead another fruit cocktail. Overall I would go back to le Dagorne, I really enjoyed the food and the place.

    Afterwards I wanted to walk around the Kermel neigberhood that I don’t visit often. I asked the waitresses if the area was safe at night. They reassured me and told me that at night il y’a des gardiens partout. Kermel has its own vibe.It’s colorful has colonial style architecture and the streets are a little narrow .While walking, I got a little triggered when I heard behind me a moped.Last year I almost got mobbed by 3 young men on a moped but thank God I was able to escape. (that’s another story 😅).Thankfully I was the last thing on their mind lol. Downtown Dakar was really quiet , just the perfect way to end my outing:)

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

    “Eh pourtant, pourtant je n’aime que toi..”

    Charles Aznavour

  • Burger ..Sen Burger I tried:)


    Hello out there, I hope life is treating you well:)

    It was Saturday today, and I was in the mood to try a good burger somewhere by the beach and just take the time to chill and savourer the taste of ground beef, caramelized onions and veggies.After doing some research online, I read good reviews about Sen ‘Burger and saw that it was located by the beach of the Almadies. Their burger menu was quite diversified : veggie burgers, chicken burgers and so many different types..Of I went … I ordered a Yango ride, the driver was very friendly we talked children, education, the need d’avoir des reperes dans la vie…I shared some of my experience as a mother, we laughed about how kids are so bold now , he is an upcoming father and he shared how he wanted his kid to first learn the Quran before going to school.I thought that was great..its been said that children who study the Quran when they are young tend to have great academic abilities later on in life…bref it was a good conversation.

    When I reached the place ,I was greeted by a professional and friendly receptionist..I took the time to pick my burger I tried the omelette burger ( à la Sénégalaise)..I went around 4 pm because I read online that it was best to avoid rush hours and I really wanted to take my time and just chill & enjoy the view..I went upstairs, it was only I ,and a mother /daughter duo enjoying a good chat…The fries were really crispy and tasty, the burger was pretty big & savory

    I also liked that the staff was chill, probably because it was hot and they themselves were probably enjoying the quietness before customers arrive later on this evening. I also liked that you could enjoy a nice view of the sunset early eveningI also had a fresh smoothie all natural no added sugar…definitily a place I would go back to…it’s chill, cozy , unpretentious .

    On my way home I had a different conversation this time with another Yango driver, he asked what type of music I liked and encouraged me to chose whatever I wanted to listen to. He is a die hard soccer fan , we had a good chat about la defaite de l’equipe Senegalese at the World Cup, I was interested in what he had to say about the loss and why did he think we did not succeed…bref a nice outing. Here is the website:https://www.senburger.com

    ‘Till next time InshAllah:)

    Yaye

  • Lagon..tu verras:)

    Hello guys, hope you are doing well under this heat, especially the Dakar’s heat …it’s only June so we have a long way to go …summer heat lasts here sometimes up to late November…who I am kidding? not sometimes…all the time …till November…so let’s brace ourselves. I took my daughter for brunch at the very famous Lagon 1 restaurant by the beach..it’s always nice sitting on the terrace , facing the water, watching from afar Goree Island. I have enjoyed having dinner there a few times , never did brunch or early lunch there. We got there close to 12 pm , the terrace was not crowded so we could chose our seats sans problems, a few people were already there enjoying the sun and going for a swim.

    It’s always nice catching up with my little one..without her phone, catching up on her” personal tea” ..teenagers are people of a few words unless they really want to share lol…I had les brochettes de poulet et de la puree and she had carbonara pasta…I enjoyed my meal , it was quite healthy and the portion was enough, for dessert I always enjoy leur tarte aux pommes chaude et sa boule de glace…my little one wanted to get ice cream I warned her that it might be a big coupe de glace but she insisted she was up to it..until it was on the table: Chantilly, vanilla , and chocolate …she looked at me and as any mother I said ” I told you so “ lol

    by the time we finished our lunch , people were coming in among them a lively group of beautiful hijhabi women were meeting up for lunch, young Lebanese couples with their children were meeting up with friends…My goal was to have a pleasant calm brunch with my child..so I was grateful..it’s good to create memories when we can , life is tough and expensive here..so I am grateful that we were able to share this culinary experience. Here is their webbie: https://www.lelagondakar.com/lelagon1

    ‘Till next time 🙂

    Yaye