A date night promise and a bucket list reservation finally came together at Elmina. I visited when they first opened and was eager to return. An 8:45pm reservation turned 9pm and the restaurant was gracious enough to accommodate. The door was a short distance from the inviting bar so I found my date rather quickly. Social and engaging by nature he had already made himself at home with the host and bartenders. The Elmina staff are exactly the kind that make even the most outgoing person feel right at home. Only a quick negotiation of his return needed, especially since I was tardy, and we were whisked upstairs to our table. Upstairs we found a dining room with dark walls and dark blue velvet that set a completely different mood from the bar and open kitchen below. A larger party was seated nearby but far enough away for our own conversation. Later a two person party was seated in between. Word of advice, you will want to remember to keep your Netflix password to yourself. We were not trying to listen but when the tables are that intimate the conversation finds you. Z was our waiter and he set the tone immediately. Attentive, knowledgeable, and full of recommendations that came in right on time even for two foodies who already knew what they wanted. Drinks first. My Gold Coast Margarita and his Tree of Life arrived and both were excellent. Both drinks landing exactly where they needed to. The Tree of Life arriving in a clear ribbed glass with a gold dusted rim, deep red and stunning, was almost too beautiful to drink....Almost is the operative word! Then the starters:Fried okra and Beef Suya. The okra arrived first, batter fried to a golden crisp with a tender bite. The burnt leek and onion ranch dip took it somewhere magical. The Suya beef skewers were smoky, spiced, and finished with mojo onions that balanced every bite without competing with it. One thing every foodie needs to know. If you have a shellfish allergy Elmina will accommodate. Even the dishes that mention shellfish can be adjusted and you will not miss a thing. At a Michelin recognized restaurant that is music to a shellfish allergy sufferer's ears. For the main we ordered the Elmina Spicy Chicken and Jollof rice. A short wine debate while we waited landed us on the Rabble Red Blend. Then the plates arrived and everything made sense. The chicken and pepper sauce had spice that had layers and the Jollof rice served alongside made it unforgettable. My date did not finish it but made sure I knew how great it was. A few notes worth sharing. The bathroom is on the bottom floor so if you are seated upstairs make the trip before the drinks start flowing. The red wine will elevate the spiciness of the chicken so if you are sensitive to heat proceed with caution. We skipped dessert intentionally so Z brought our plates back in a to go bag filled with all the goodness before we left. Tap to pay from the bar tab to the final bill kept the night flowing. I will note our waiter brought it directly to my sharply dressed date but since I was treating I immediately took it back. Loved that energy. Elmina is Black owned excellence at its finest, an intimate setting filled with beautifully dressed patrons and food that will have you recommending this place for sure. Even the small things are handled, with ample street parking and a welcoming entrance, and a staff that turns a typical reservation into something you will talk about after. Whether it is a date night or a group, the tables here are ready for both. A table worth gathering at for any occasion that deserves something exceptional. We closed the night at Kuro Listening Bar, another black owned gem, a short distance away. The pairing of the two made for a night worth remembering. read more

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A redemption arc well earned. I tried Elmina when it first opened for brunch and walked away underwhelmed. Dinner, however, is an entirely different experience and I'm glad I gave it another chance. The space alone sets the tone, beautiful decor across two floors of dining. We were seated on the second floor near the open kitchen and watching the chefs work while dishes were carried out around us added a whole layer to the evening. Dinner and a show, essentially. The wine menu is extensive and worth taking your time with. For starters we tried the crispy okra fries which were a great introduction to what was coming. The main event featured jollof duck pot, broiled branzino, tomahawk steak and crab fried rice -- everything arrived bursting with flavor. Even when one dish didn't fully land for someone at the table, something else more than compensated. That's the sign of a well rounded menu. Contemporary Ghanaian cuisine done at this level deserves its flowers and Elmina is delivering. I'm already looking forward to returning. read more

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We originally had a reservation for eight, but only six people were able to make it. The restaurant was still accommodating and seated us once half of the party had arrived. The service was amazing, especially our waiter, Z. We were celebrating a friend's birthday, and the staff allowed us to bring in cupcakes from Baked & Wired. We stayed a little past closing to finish celebrating, but no one made us feel rushed or tried to push us out. We even had the opportunity to meet the chef, which was a nice touch. For appetizers, we ordered the hamachi crudo, scallop crudo, plantains, roti, eggplant, and suya. The eggplant was easily the standout and honestly some of the best eggplant I've ever had--10/10. The roti paired really well with it. The plantains were also very good, and it seemed like the dishes featured two different preparations of plantain. The suya and scallop crudo were okay, but not the most memorable items of the night. For our mains, we had the jollof rice with duck and the medium-rare ribeye. The jollof had a distinctly Ghanaian flavor, possibly with a touch of crayfish, and the egg was a nice addition. The duck was flavorful, although the texture was a little tougher than I expected. The ribeye was amazing and cooked well, though the chimichurri was applied a little heavily for my taste. Overall, we had a great experience. The excellent service, welcoming atmosphere, eggplant, plantains, jollof/duck, and ribeye were the highlights of the evening. read more

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This was my first time trying Ghanaian food and Elmina was such a great introduction! I started with a Fresh Strawberry Martini which I really enjoyed. For an appetizer, we ordered the Crispy Okra Fries and it came with a burnt leek and onion ranch dipping sauce. I don't eat okra very often, so I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleasantly surprised by how much I liked them! The ranch was especially delicious and paired perfectly with the fries. For my entree, I had the Hamachi collar. It was absolutely delicious and the portion was much more generous than I expected. It also came with what I believe were plantain chips. They were fun to snack on alongside the fish! I also got to try my friend's Crab Fried Rice and it was excellent. It reminded me of a flavorful Thai fried rice and I kept going back for another bite because it was so good! read more

Elmina - Fresh Strawberry Martini - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I finally made it back to Elmina for dinner! I first visited over a year ago for brunch and vowed to return to try the dinner menu. Mission accomplished...and they absolutely delivered. The restaurant was slightly busy on a weekend evening, but I am not surprised. It's clearly become a go-to spot if you're looking for a modern, upscale African dining experience in DC. The décor is still one of my favorite parts of the restaurant: clean, contemporary Ghanaian elegance with an open kitchen that lets you watch the chefs at work. My friends and I always order family-style so everyone gets to try a little of everything, which means we rarely leave with food envy. The appetizer: the fried okra. Whew! Light, crispy, perfectly seasoned...dangerously addictive. I could've easily eaten a whole basket by myself, lol. The branzino was my favorite entrée of the night. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and also very addictive. We also ordered the crab fried rice, and honestly, I enjoyed that more than the jollof duck pot. The duck pot was good, but I'd definitely order the crab fried rice again first. The tomahawk steak was okay. Good, but it wasn't living up to its price point, tbh.. My mocktail was refreshing and exactly what I needed with the meal. One of the highlights of the evening was getting the chance to meet Chef Eric Adjepong from Top Chef. Such a cool surprise and a nice way to end the evening. I'm so happy I came back. Sometimes you revisit a restaurant and it doesn't live up to your first experience. That wasn't the case here. Elmina is still doing its thing!!!! read more

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Came here for a birthday dinner. My friend is from Ghana and wanted to try this new fusion Ghana restaurant. It certainly didn't disappoint. The drinks were spot on. We especially enjoyed the plantain chips Because it was our birthdays the waitress did honor that by giving each of us a free glass of champagne on the house. I did like the outdoor patio vibe that they had set up with warmers it was quite comfy and had nice spacing around it. I think it would be a pretty good place to chill in the summer Parking is on the street and might be hard to find but if you try hard enough it's possible. Service was excellent no issues I would be inclined to come back read more

Elmina - Black stars. Yummy - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Elimina is a Ghanian restaurant that either has a Michelin star or is on the Michelin guide. We decided to try it out at first because it was one of the handful of restaurants we could use our chase open door credit for! I'm glad we came and tried it. Although I don't think it blew us away unfortunately. Overall the food was good and the flavor profile was different - a good different - it just missed that extra - subjective - umph in a Michelin recommended place. We tried their multi-course menu and also ordered a few things a la carte and our favorite dishes octopus skewers and the lamb. The courses that let us down were mainly two: the plantain in our opinion needed to be softer, it was between sweet and savory and maybe that is the point, but we didn't enjoy it that much. The crudo was bland and lacked flavor. I think for $500 (we ordered a lot and had leftovers!) we didn't leave feeling as WOW as we expected. Still happy to have tried it! read more

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My wife and I came here for our anniversary, and the space is beautifully decorated--from the outside to the inside. The mix of colors and the different rooms all flow together perfectly without feeling overwhelming. The service was amazing. We were greeted warmly and even wished a Happy Anniversary. We sat upstairs and were treated to a glass of champagne, along with a mocktail for me, which was a nice touch. We ended up ordering just appetizers, and surprisingly, that was more than enough to fill us up. The grilled octopus was so good I had to order it twice! My wife had the grilled oyster mushrooms and really enjoyed them. The jollof was okay, but that smashed avocado dip with the homemade plantain chips--OMG, absolutely amazing. Overall, it was a great experience. I'll definitely be back because I still need to try the fish! read more

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A MUST when in The District! Space is quaint so Reservations are required. They do have an upstairs with a bar. Service is swift and personable, with well-informed staff to suggest items that surprise and delight you. We started with the Daddy Bofa drink. Strong and not for the faint of heart. Definitely worth it. Had a Mocktail Sobolo (Zobo). If you're of Caribbean descent, think Sorrel. The Kelewele is good for now and later. The spiced coating on the Plantains and lightly spiced peanuts do not overtake the sweet kiss of the fried Plantains, although, some will be more Tostones-flavored and textured. They are also good with the sauces that come with the Chofi. Chofi's fried turkey tails. Similar to Chicharron de Pollo but smaller and a tad fattier. Comes with three (3) sauces with different spice levels. Come with sweatpants or other LOOSE fits, make 'em fancy though because it's a sexy place. The Waakye gives three (3) large succulent Oxtail smothered in Gari. The Rice & Peas (Red Red) (Red Black Eyed Peas) and a Jollof-styled Rice (without the spice), which was good. The Red Red are DELISH. We're a legume family. The Elmina Spicy Chicken is really for two (2), A LOT! Stewed in a savory but spicy red pepper sauce. DIVINE. We added a side of Jollof, which honestly, it should automatically come with, considering the price. FANTASTIC dishes together! After all of that, no room for dessert, although we were gonna get the Malva cake. It does come with ice cream and we simply had no room. We took everything for leftovers because it's that much food. Amapiano usually plays overhead, giving a Motherland vibe. Once in a while, you'll hear GoGo beats to remind you that you're Stateside in The District. Overall, an immediate return! read more

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What a perfect way to spend a Friday night. The space had a smooth neo-soul and R&B vibe--warm, intentional, and effortlessly welcoming. It struck that rare balance of being both stylish and comfortable. I started with the smoked bone marrow, which was outstanding. The crispy goat added a satisfying texture, while the dish itself still felt surprisingly light. I found myself alternating bites with and without the pickle, and honestly, it worked beautifully both ways. The octopus skewers had a perfect char, and the caramelized onions truly elevated the dish. The onion reminded me of the rich, tangy flavors of Yassa from Senegal and The Gambia--something I absolutely love--so this was a clear standout for me. The Waakye was absolutely delicious. Rice and egg is an underrated combination, and the soft-boiled eggs added that perfect creamy richness from the yolk. I especially appreciated that the shito sauce was served on top, allowing me to control the heat level. The balance of spice and flavor was spot on. And the oxtail... incredibly tender and deeply flavorful. A true comfort dish, but still right at home within the restaurant's chic atmosphere. The portion was generous--I had plenty of leftovers, which I was more than happy about. The service was great. This place has definitely earned a spot in my regular rotation whenever I'm in DC, and it's one I'll be recommending without hesitation. read more

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Had a reservation to celebrate my birthday and unfortunately we had to wait 30-40 min to be seated. The place wasn't super busy so that was disappointing, they weren't apologetic either. Our server was very nice but service was not good, very slow and we had to ask for water refills a couple of times. We sat upstairs, the space is small. Food was very good, my husband and I like spicy food and were surprised as to how spicy some of the items were. We ordered the smoked sweet plantain which was absolutely amazing, beef kebab, delicious too and the Elmira spicy chicken, this was good but borderline too spicy. For dessert we had the Choux Au Solei which was good but not memorable. Overall it was a good experience but not great given the service and wait time. read more

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Got a reservation for a Friday evening & it did not disappoint. Upon arrival, I immediately noticed the warmth orangey and red tones that I absolutely loved. It somehow felt warm, cozy, but elevated & romantic at the same time. It is also a much larger space than I imagined. Came in a party of 3 who have never eaten here and our waitress was excellent in explaining the menu and giving her recommendations. Our food came quick & all at the same time which I appreciate since we were sharing! *One downside for me is that some items on the tasting menu you cannot order à la carte and vice versa * I ordered the Pineapples are Berries Mocktail which I loved! I always appreciate when restaurants put effort into the aesthetic of a mocktail. As a group we ordered the Spicy Chicken with a side of Jollof Rice, Fried Plantains, and Waakye (Oxtail). Hands down the oxtail was my absolute favorite dish, I am still dreaming about it. So flavorful, such a nice portion, & extremely tender. I also love the addition of the jammy egg! The spicy chicken was also good, with the best part being the sauce it sits in, in my opinion. We ended off with the Malva Pudding dessert which was gorgeous and the perfect thing to wrap up our dinner Overall, I had a really good time & food experience. I reallyyyy want to try the Duck Jollof Pot, so I will need to come back for the tasting menu!! read more

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This was an amazing five stars experience. We did the tasting menu and despite the cold having an effect on the wait time, once we got seated everything went so smoothly. We put all our orders in at once and they timed perfectly and brought out each dish one after the other. Depending on your tastes preference, you'll have different favorites, but I could not get over the Hamachi Crudo, how fluffy the fufu was and the Malva pudding cake! And if I'm being honest, nothing fell short of amazing. I really enjoyed getting little surprises that were not specified on the menu like the amuse bouche and the palette cleanser. These bites were delicious in and of themselves. It's an upscale design, with casual energy. They seem to have enough space to accommodate large parties is with reservation or small parties at short notice. Theres also limited seating at the bars. read more

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I'm so glad I finally got to visit Elmina! Once I found out that Chef Eric was making an upscale Ghanaian restaurant in DC, I knew I had to make my way there. I've heard great things from others who've visited, so I came expecting great things. It's a three story restaurant with plenty of seating and beautiful art work all around. My friend and I sat at the bar and started with some drinks. I got the sobolo fizz, which is a hibiscus and ginger beer drink, and had a hint of pineapple and clove. It's a sweeter drink and of course very tasty. We also ordered to chicken and prawn chichinga, which is what us Ghanaians call kebabs. Both were very good, but I definitely have to go with the prawns since I'm a seafood girlie. We also ordered kelewele, which is seasoned plantains, and sides of jollof rice. Everything was delicious, and the food met my expectations. I will most definitely be back to do the full dinner tasting experience! read more

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Gosh I wanted to love Elmina so badly! It's within walking distance of my apartment and I've been hearing such good things but unfortunately my visit was just ok. Our server was very sweet but it felt like he was very overwhelmed. He was definitely doing his best but we had to ask for water refills 4-5 times and there were times when he fully just disappeared. He also incorrectly identified what drinks we ordered so we all ended up drinking the wrong drink until we looked up photos and saw that he'd mixed them up. We were originally going to do the tasting menu but then decided to do Ala carte because we thought there was more variety in options for our table of 4. It's disappointing that their flagship dish, the duck jollof is only available on the tasting menu and not Ala carte. We tried the fried Okra (note that its batter fried which I thought was an interesting choice) Smoked sweet plantain (my absolute favorite dish of the night and one of the only things that I thought was worth the price tag) Spicy roast chicken (this was good but ultimately felt like a chicken you could find at any restaurant) Beef kabob (my 2nd favorite of the night) Jollof rice ( was too spicy for me to eat but that's probably just a me problem) Pork Belly skewer (this was fine. If you like pork belly you'll like this. Nothing special) Overall for an almost $300 dinner I thought that it wasn't quite up to par with my expectations. One cool thing worth mentioning, they heard it was the birthday of one of our friends at the table and brought up a complimentary glass of champagne for the whole table. It was very nice and unexpected! read more

Elmina - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

4.5/5 stars TLDR: I would recommend this spot for a fun date night, if you've never had West African cuisine, if you like big flavors. Get the Tasting Menu to ensure you don't miss the sleeper favorites! The four of us arrived with big appetites and opted for the tasting menu. For each of the courses, we worked together to order one of nearly everything offered. My absolute favorites: Zaalouk Dip - I love goat cheese. DAMN each bite was delicious. This is even more impressive when you consider that I've never been a fan of eggplant. Fufu with braised goat - deep rich flavor, served in the coolest dishware of the night. Bofrot - all the desserts were tasty but this had an edge over the others for me overall due to texture and flavor. I also enjoyed two mocktails (Sundays with Lennox; Pineapples are Berries), as they offered a sweet balance to the bold - and often spicy - dishes. If I had to do it all again, I would've asked for them to omit the seafood from the Jollof Duck Pot. One of the desserts was unavailable (Choux de Soleil), which was disappointing because it was the most intriguing for me but I truly didn't even have room for more food anyhow. Service was on point: very attentive while not hovering. Our water glasses were kept full, and the pacing of the meal felt spot on. The atmosphere was cozy and a bit loud, and aesthetically pleasing. The music was fun. I enjoy the fact that we could see/hear some bustle from the kitchen. Accessibility note: there is a ramp to enter but the restrooms were downstairs and the tables were quite close together. read more

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I went to Elmina for my birthday with a reservation and unfortunately had a very disappointing experience. We waited over an hour past our reservation time to be seated, and no one acknowledged or apologized for the delay. As much as I love West African food, I also expect to be acknowledged and respected as a paying customer. I reached out to the restaurant's GM, Cameron, afterward and never received a response. The customer service alone would prevent me from returning. The food also did not impress. We ordered the tasting menu, which felt more like a hodgepodge of different cuisines rather than a cohesive representation of African cuisine. PS: Don't let the pictures I'm posting fool you!!! I'm just a really good photographer. The only bright spot was an Asian waitress who was not even our assigned server--she went out of her way to try to make things right, and I appreciate her effort. Unfortunately, one person's kindness could not make up for the overall experience. I would not return. read more

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My experience here was absolutely phenomenal. From the decor to the food to the drinks, it truly is a journey through the diaspora. Highly recommend making reservations. There is a small bar area downstairs, and some seating both upstairs and downstairs, but it is a bit cramped. The tasting experience is really the way to go. I started with the hamachi crudo, braised lamb shoulder for the second course, jollof duck pot for the third, and the mango pudding for the last course. The server also brought over an amuse voucher to start. Every single item I had was amazing. I have no notes. Also, I tend to feel that the price of tastings do not reflect what the value received, but that is not the case here. I left the restaurant feeling full and completely satisfied. I cannot recommend this restaurant and the tasting experience enough. read more

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I've decided to celebrate Black History Month by supporting Black-owned businesses! Join me! Up first, Elmina. The soulful restaurant which brings the flavors of Ghana straight to DC. Owned by Chef Eric Adjepong, my Food Network fav! This restaurant gave me insight to his cultural background but also his unique cooking style. Ambiance: this place exemplifies Black excellence through its food, services, and eye catching decor. A very modern-sleek layout, adorned with some unique art pieces, a beautiful open kitchen concept, a sexy bar, and intimate top and lower level seating. This place is perfect for date night, conversation with friends, coworkers, and family members. I would say keep the kids at home because it's an adult experience which welcomes conversation through each bite. Service: the hostess was warm and friendly and that showed through her immediate smile and cheerful greetings. Our waitress, Jen, was a superstar! Not the average waitress who simply reads off the menu, no, she sold the dishes by spotlighting key ingredients-I'm a foodie so I appreciated that. Drinks: Put aside the love for wine for a night and embark on a rum journey through the unique rums offered here. Their cocktails were fabulous! To my non-drinkers, you aren't excluded, there were unique nonalcoholic cocktails specifically prepared for you. For my drink, I ordered the Benjamin's G&T. A sexy twist on gin and tonic, as this drink featured cardamom. Why'd I love it? Well, cardamom adds a bit of sweet, spicy, and citrusy flavors which complimented the gin. The right amount of tonic was added, making this drink a fabulous option for anyone desiring a non-sweet, refreshing drink. I can see myself drinking these during the summer on a rooftop somewhere lol-my FAV! 'A La Carte Review: Snacks: we started the night with Kelewele. Now, this isn't your traditional fried plantain and I loved it. The plantains were perfectly fried on the outside with a soft and sweet surprise on the inside. Great to snack on while you wait for your meal, or, perfect to add alongside your meal. Appetizers: next, we ordered the Zaalouk Dip. Honey, this is the one! This is the dip that opens up your palate and stirs up conversation after each bite. My boyfriend and I absolutely loved it because it took us down memory lane of our Caribbean home and a similar dish. The chef took regular eggplants and added the right spices and love to create this masterpiece. Although mashed, I tasted the charred flavor on the roasted eggplants and its bold flavors. Scooped up by pieces of hot, flavorful roti...SCRUMPTIOUS! Mains: now on to the mains! I ordered the Fante Fante Fish and my boyfriend ordered the Bambara bean Coconut Curry. Fante Fante Fish was an experienceeeeeee (see the video) have you ever had buttery soft fish? And yes, it was cooked to the bones but the meat was so buttery soft and the Fisherman's stew sent my taste buds crazy. And if that wasn't enough, it came with a side of Pikliz salad, a moment of silent for this. It's a perfect spicy break which amplified the savoriness of the fish. I also had Yam chips which I couldn't stop dipping in the delicious Green shito. This dish represented rich African culture and if you're not opened to various spices and flavors, I recommend trying something else. My boyfriend ate all of his dish and raved at how delicious the curry, charred cabbage, and added shrimps were. To conclude the best night, we ordered the Malva Pudding Cake...lean in....the description does not fully capture how AMAZING this cake is! Seriously, it's not too sweet, but it's something in there that makes you keep going even after saying "I'm stuffed" lol you won't want to leave a crumb of this behind. Although the cake and sauces drizzled throughout, made a bold statement, the vanilla gelato was amazing! At the end of the night we met Chef Adjepong. I appreciated how warm and friendly he was but also the insight that he provided on next steps for this amazing restaurant. If you haven't tried this place, give it a try! And before you do, remember that culture plays a huge role on the way dishes are presented, be opened minded to asking about the flavors and exploring something you may not have tried before. It's worth it! read more

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I'm a fan of this Ghanian restaurant. I ordered the tasting menu which came with 5 courses, 1 being a surprise. I started off with the zaalouk dip which came with roti and that was pretty good. The Hamachi crudo was also really god. For the second, the Palm nut shrimp and Octopus stew was spicy and delicious while the braised lamb shoulder was pretty good. I really enjoyed the Jollof duck pot for the third and the duck breast was cooked perfectly and came with duck egg and roasted tomato salad. For the Fourth, the bofrot dessert was delicious and came with milo gelato, sticky toffee sauce. Service was excellent and I would come back here again to try their a la cart menu next time. read more

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Our first visit here after hearing about from the Michelin guide. I was a little surprised and felt like it was not the same place like in the photos. Michelin guide posted beautiful pictures of The food and the place but I felt like it didn't match my experience. I wasn't interested in tasting menu as it's a lot of food and unfortunately one person cannot do tasting menu and another à la carte. We ordered drinks and before drink order came in our server came back and took our food order (our server was wonderful! ). Pacing was really bad with the food and drinks. I think our server came by several times but an entree and most of the food came out even before drinks. Drinks came later and then dishes kept coming. I think they do a better pacing with the tasting menu than what I had and it was a bit disappointing. Octopus kabob was the best! Smoky and very flavorful. Their dip is my next favorite and I would say spicy chicken was next - nice and spicy with a kick and good for 2 people. My overall take that food was delicious but some of the flow of the service was disappointing and I also noticed some stains on the utensils from hard water which doesn't make the experience feel elevated for the given price point. At the end of the service we were brought terminal to pay and they gave us the wrong check but they fixed it. After paying we picked print receipt option but no one stopped by the table at all and then it was time to leave for our cab. Overall, I think there are plenty of places nearby with more value and better price point for the experience, food was delicious but I don't see myself coming back. read more

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The Zaalouk Dip is the star item on the Elmina menu, and one of the best appetizers I've ever had. It's like an eggplant dip with tomato, goat cheese, red onion and coriander oil. Paired with the roti, it almost feels like a global fusion in a taco and one of the best bites you can find in D.C I also ate the chofi (turkey tails) and the tuna tartare, which were also amazing appetizers. The Fante Fante fish was our entree, which was good, although I probably wouldn't pay the market price ($105) for it. If you're looking for a nice dinner and a modern take on Ghanaian food, Elmina is a great choice on 14th St. read more

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I've heard of Elmina prior to my visit several times and this nigjt was as good as any to visit. Never having Ghanaian food before, I knew I was in for a treat based off of those reviews. We were warmly greeted upon entry and were initially going to be shown to a table upstairs, but considering I am having severe knee issues, the staff was very flexible and coordinating a table for us, without hesitation. There are quite a few items to choose from, but considering this was our first time we decided to go with the tasting menu, which did not disappoint! We started with the hamachi first which was super fresh and the zaalouk dip - could've licked the plate it was so good! Without question, the second course was my standout. The nkatenkwan served with goat and fufu. Ive always know that would be a dish I would enjoy and boy, was I right! Fufu was so good, we ordered another one! Thinking about it now makes my mouth water! Now, even though the goat was my favorite, the braised lamb shoulder is nothing to shake a stick at. The lamb fell apart on the fork, it was so tender, and the crispy cassava with the pickled onions cave. It's such a beautiful flavor mashup. By the time we got to the third course, we were definitely feeling pretty full up, but we got the Bronzino, which was so incredibly delicious. It is served with three side sauces and the fried jam so very good. I'm also really enjoyed the pallet cleanser, which was a sorrow sorbet and the Malva pudding cake - just the right amount of sweet to him the night. Lastly, the service was absolutely phenomenal! I am a sucker for good service. An hour attendant was super attentive, gave us great suggestions and even offered us wine tasting before we settled on the bottle of our choice. TOP TIER SERVICE. Now, truth be told, with us ordering a bottle of wine and gratuity, our bill was just under $500 so I don't know if I can make this place a regular spot to visit, but I do plan on returning once (or twice) before the year ends. read more

I've been to Elmina twice, and overall I would rate it a 4. The space is beautiful. I sat upstairs both times. Downstairs features a nice bar, more tables, and an open-air kitchen. The first time I came with one friend for her birthday, we ordered the Kelewele, Waakye, and Hamachi Collar, and we enjoyed everything! It was all really good and well seasoned. The Waakye was a good amount of food. The Hamachi Collar was sooo good. I wish there were a little bit more. I didn't want the dish to end. The second time, I came with three friends to celebrate the holiday and a belated birthday. We were thinking about doing the tasting menu, but were informed it would take a long time. We decided to order a mix of items. We had crispy okra fries, beef kebabs, pork belly, smoked sweet plantain, jollof rice, and spicy chicken. Everything was ok but nothing really stood out to me like the first time. It was good but not remarkable. The highlight for me was that Chef Eric walked around and greeted every table. He found out that we were celebrating a friend's belated birthday and sent over glasses of champagne. That was a really lovely touch. During both visits, the service was lacking. The servers were very friendly and trying, but seemed so overwhelmed. We often had to ask for water refills multiple times. During my first visit, it was my friend's birthday, and we were looking forward to ordering dessert, but the server never came by to let us know the kitchen was closing. He just came by with the check and told us it was too late. That was disappointing. Overall, I'm a fan and will go back to try additional dishes! read more

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Came for dinner on a Friday at 5pm - restaurant was pretty empty which makes sense since we went at opening and went the day after xmas the restaurant is fairly bit with 2 floors, interior is well lit and music is at a respectable volume our server was great aside from not knowing the beers available. food wise we did a la carte and enjoyed everything. starters: definitely get the fried okra this was fun to munch on. the oysters were very unique, i enjoyed it but if you don't like a foreign twist then id say skip on these. the eggplant tasted incredibly great and came with roti so it was super filling mains: the spicy chicken is a huge portion and tasted delicious. also did the beef kabobs and octopus kabobs, was pretty good and flavorful. dessert we did the mango which was like a stuffed donut i think you can do without this overall id recommend, good food read more

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Overall the food here is very good and I think the issues here will likely be resolved in time but it will be lower review till then. Overall Id say the food is 4 out of 5 its very good and flavorful with a ton of spice which I like. Quantity is low on most dishes here and you maybe disappointed by the price versus quantity but the quality is very good. We got the side of jellof rice, fried okra, chicken, pork belly skewers, fried plantain, and beef skewers. All were well prepared and rich in flavor with great seasoning. Service unfortunately is a 1 out of 5 the reason being that we had someone with us with a shellfish allergy and so we couldn't take the tasting menu but asked if we could just have the jellof rice with meat insead of fish on ale a cart for that issue they said no. They all seemed overwhelmed by the situation so I think time well change here but we has several other issues no water. Given the wrong drinks. The look of the inside of the restaurant looks great. read more

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Elmina is a great way to taste Ghanaian food. The decor and ambiance changes as you walk through the restaurant. The room we were seated in had colorful artwork and was a bit on the brighter side. They room before that had a more intimate vibe. My husband and I tried the tasting menu at $135/pp. it started off very strong but started going downhill after the 1st course. Scallop crudo (amuse bouche) was excellent! Honestly the best dish of the night! Fresh, tender, creamy, bold and flavorful with a little bit of crispy toppings. Honestly wish we could order this from the menu! Hamachi crudo was bursting with flavor! It took my tongue on a ride! It was tart from the passion fruit with a little bit of heat from the Serrano peppers. Zaalouk dip was smooth and very good. The goat cheese was mild and surprisingly paired very well with it. Hibiscus sorbet (palette cleanser) was excellent. Smooth with a ton of hibiscus flavor with a hint of ginger. Palm nut shrimp and octopus stew was very salty and fishy. Portion was much smaller than I expected and I would have appreciated whole shrimp instead of chopped up pieces of seafood. Similar to a small tapa. Would have loved some rice to go with this to tone it down a bit. Braised lamb shoulder was also salty but not as bad as the stew. The lamb was a little on the drier side but still tender. I would have liked some rice to go with it. The jollof duck pot was a huge disappointment for us. I was hoping it would be a little more flavorful with a more of a kick to it. The tamarind glazed duck leg was sweet and the best part. The duck egg was ok but the duck breast was a little bit rubbery. The corn pudding was not corn pudding...it was more like a paste. I didn't like the texture but the sorbet was good. The malva cake pudding was much better. The apricot and vanilla gelato complimented it well. The drinks on came out very slow. We had to follow up and check on it. The expresso martini was good and had a sweet caramel note to it. The Daddy bofa was basic, no complex flavors. Rob's rum spiked sobolo was good and refreshing. Staff was nice but food come out very slow. We were there for a little over 2.5 hours. Considering we got seated and ordered right away, it took a very long time to get the next course (and there was only 4 courses). Our waiter didn't ask how our food is or checked in on us so it felt like we had to always look for someone to help us. Overall our dinner at Elmina was ok but with a little bit of work, this could turn into a much better experience. read more

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Elmina is a true Ghanaian journey through cuisine and decor. The tasting menu, although a bit pricey, is filling and delicious. All plates are sharable making the experience worth the expense. Our server was attentive, and able to answer the many questions that I had about the food. Also, Eric Adjepong is known to make an appearance which is a nice touch to the experience. I started off with the Ghana Salad which was really good. The House Salad Cream was very tasty. I also had the Scallop Ceviche which I enjoyed as well. I love that the restaurant offers sorbet as palate cleanser before enjoying the third (main) dish. For the dessert, I enjoyed the Malva Pudding Cake. I enjoyed my experience at Elmina. The only con is that my friend and I were sat upstairs in a section that was really dark in comparison to the rest of the restaurant. As someone who likes to see what's she eating, it made it a little challenging to fully enjoy the experience. I will most definitely visit again, however. read more

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Dine in here in February for a date night. Food was good but it's missing a little something to take it from four stars to five. We ordered a few dishes and were treated to a scallop crudo as an amuse bouche. This particular bite was my favorite of the night - I could have eaten four of these at a minimum. I do wish this were an appetizer selection on the menu. I also had the curried bisque which was delicious. In addition to that we had a duck jollof, which was good though not super memorable. All in all, solid option for a date night, but would love to see a few more additions to the menu! read more

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Great experience with an excellent tasting menu, fine wine in a lovely dining area. We weren't sure what to order so we went with the tasting menu so we can sample more items on the menu. The standout for me was the Hamachi Crudo and the Lamb shoulder. The Jollof Duck pot was good too. Overall the meats were just so tender. We would definitely return. Service was attentive and helpful. read more

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Had a pretty mid experience here for the price. Service was good but none of the dishes blew us away. I had the oxtail which I didn't like the spices on and barely had any meat. The chicken was got was good but wasn't outstanding. And the bone marrow with the crispy duck was good. The meat though was almost too chewy and I was disappointed the marrow didn't come with bread. I've never had marrow not come with bread. The other thing that was frustrating was that many of the dishes we wanted from the tasting menu were not available à la carte. We were hungry enough to have the full tasting menu especially for the price. Glad we tried it but wouldn't recommend. read more

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A mix of great and meh. The smoked plantains were fantastic and the okra fries were delicious as well. The other food we ordered such as the Tina tartare & Crab Fried Rice were well prepared but we didn't feel like it warranted the price point. Service was exceptional but I ultimately would choose to go somewhere else for a full dinner. I think Elmina would be a great date spot or place to stop with 1-2 friends for appetizers. I ordered one cocktail which was fine, but again I don't think it was worth the price. It was Old Fashioned adjacent and came with tiny ice cubes which melted quickly. I may be a large clear ice cube snob, but still... read more

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Fabulous meal! Dined with a group of 6 and got to see Chef Eric in the house. The food was wonderful, the sauces were so flavorful. Zaalouk dip was really interesting and started the meal off right. The Malva Pudding Cake was so good, I was sad it was at the end because I was so full. The only downsides were the service was a bit rocky and there was a huge gap between entree and dessert. They also ran out of beer, so a few at our table had to choose something else. read more

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I've been dying to try Elmina for months, so I decided to finally check it out as a late birthday dinner -- unfortunately, I left disappointed. We started with cocktails -- the sangria and the Gold Coast margarita -- both solid but not memorable. For appetizers, we ordered the okra fries, oyster mushroom kebab, and prawn kebab. Everything took quite a while to arrive, but the real issue came after: we waited 40 minutes between our appetizers and our entrées. When the food finally came, it was delivered by (I think) the manager or owner, who explained that the delay was because "the chicken has to reach a certain temperature." That just felt like an excuse -- of course chicken has to be cooked through, and any chef should anticipate that. A simple, honest acknowledgment like "we're short-staffed tonight" would've gone a long way. Instead, he offered no apology and said this is "always the case." To make matters worse, we didn't realize the roasted chicken didn't come with any sides. He suggested bringing us jollof rice to go with it, which sounded like a nice gesture -- until it arrived cold and tasted old. Then, it still showed up on our check even though it was offered as if complimentary. The silver lining of the night was our server -- genuinely kind, attentive, and warm. He even brought out glasses of Prosecco to celebrate my birthday, which I really appreciated. While most of the food (minus the rice) was flavorful, it all arrived lukewarm. The restaurant itself is beautiful -- three levels, stunning design, and great ambiance -- but the service experience and temperature of the dishes really took away from the evening. I want to give Elmina another shot because the tasting menu looks so interesting, but at $135 per person, I'd be pissed to have a repeat of this experience. read more

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I recently went with my wife to Elmina for a weeknight dinner to celebrate a special event. We had been excited to try Elmina for a while and while Elmina had some spectacular hits, there was a lot that was lacking, especially for a fancy restaurant and an Eric Adejepong-run restaurant. Had we not had outstanding, above-and-beyond service at our table from our server, I would have given Elmina three stars. We arrived a few minutes before our reservation time; however, there is nowhere to stand at Elmina, and we were awkwardly in the way of patrons and servers. The host also did not offer for us to sit at the bar, which further made the experience unpleasant. We were also not seated at our table until almost ten minutes after our reservation time despite the restaurant not being crowded, what seemed to be a full complement of servers, and our table already being set. The ambiance is millennial chic-meets Ghanian decor, which was nice. Elmina played a mix of rap, Caribbean, and African music. Elmina chose to play multiple Kanye West songs, which I found extremely offensive given Kanye's well-documented history of extreme anti-Semitism. Once we arrived, as mentioned earlier we received above-and-beyond service. Our server took the time to explain the menu and the dishes we ordered, gave his recommendations, and was extremely understanding when we had to send a dish back to the kitchen because it was too salty (and he ensured the replacement came out in a timely manner). Our server gave us complementary prosecco as we were celebrating a special occasion and was also upfront about the half chicken dish taking longer than other dishes, allowing us to adequately prepare and order our meal. It is some of the best service I've received at any restaurant this year and my wife and I were deeply appreciative. My wife and I ordered a la carte (strongly recommended if you are vegetarian or pescatarian) and shared the following dishes: Crispy Okra Fries: I normally do not like fries and absolutely loved these crispy okra fries. The okra was perfectly cooked, the fry was amazing, the fries were crisp, and it came with a good ranch sauce. I also liked Elmina's touch of serving the okra fries and kelewele in baskets with newspaper reproductions of Ghanaian newspapers proclaiming its independence, doing a double history and street-food nod. Kelewele: While the plantains were fried nicely and the peanuts added good crunch, this dish needed a spicy dipping sauce to add flavor and tie everything together. Zaalouk Dip with Roti: My favorite dish of the evening and one of the five best dishes I have had at any restaurant this year. The zaalouk was Michelin-star caliber with the presentation and the taste. The eggplant was perfectly roasted, creamy with the goat cheese, a good amount of olive oil, crunch with the onions, and freshness and acidity with the tomato. The roti was a great accompaniment to scoop up and eat the zaalouk. Bambara Bean Coconut Curry: When we first received the dish, it was too salty to eat to the point that we had to send it back to the kitchen. We were able to get another curry which was just OK. Additionally, even accounting for ingredient, labor, portion size, and overhead costs, at $45 this curry was at least $15 overpriced even if the dish were spectacular. Half Chicken: Worth the wait! The chicken was juicy, with crispy skin and tons of flavor from the sauce, which had the right amount of salt and spice and acid from lime wedges. We ordered the jollof rice to accompany the chicken, which was flavorful and well-cooked. For dessert, we got the Bofrot, which was massively disappointing. The fritter was too dense and needed more flavor, the chantilly was cloyingly sweet, and the gelato had minimal taste and creaminess. I'm glad I tried Elmina, and I would recommend coming to Elmina for specific dishes and for restaurant week, when prices are likely cheaper if you want to try Elmina. Although Elmina has a ways to go to be one of the best fancy DC restaurants, it has great potential. read more

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I booked Elmina through a Chase Sapphire Reserve "Curated Dining" experience. Apparently, the curation involved someone shrugging and saying, "Yeah... this'll do." The exclusive experience? Still looking for it. Unless "being seated at a regular table" is now considered luxury. The food was so meh at best. it felt like the chef had recently lost a custody battle with salt. Every dish looked like it had a story to tell, but unfortunately that story was, "I peaked on the menu." The service wasn't terrible. It also wasn't particularly present. Imagine if customer service was replaced by a series of occasional cameos. For the price, I expected memorable. It was memorable, just not in the way the restaurant probably hopes. On the bright side, the conversation at our table was excellent, mostly because we spent the evening trying to guess what each dish was supposed to taste like. One star. I'd say I'd come back if Chase curated it again, but fool me once... Next time at least get the water right. Geez! It's like a desert in here. read more

I would not describe their $135 tasting menu what I would expect. To me it was just a four course meal. I think a tasting menu portion size should be more comparable to a tapas style. In a nutshell. Nothing outstanding. Nothing bad. My bill was $231 and for that price I ought to have had one memorable bite. The value, quality and price are off. With so many great places in D.C. I don't have to settle. Which likely means I wouldn't prioritize a return here. read more

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had a nice meal at Elmina recently. Large space (old 7 reasons), kitchen/bar/dining room downstairs, additional dining room upstairs and enclosed outdoor seating (still warm but not as much as inside). service was friendly, food comes pretty quickly. menu is broken out by smaller dishes and larger shareables, we ordered mostly off of our servers recommendations favorites were the smoked plantain, octopus kebab, and spicy chicken. However the chicken (and beef skewer) were overdone and on the dry side - needed the sauces/sides they came with. Jollof rice was delicious as well. will be back to try more of the menu read more

Was able to pop in for Saturday brunch while visiting family in DC. The restaurant is beautifully decorated and airy: building has 3 floors and the bathroom is on the bottom floor. I was placed in a blue/black room on the top floor. It was not busy as it was the hour before brunch was to end...so perfect for me! They had a few dinner options available for a la Carte, just couldn't order any of the mains. I chose the okra fries which were perfectly fried! The Johnny cakes were great, just subjectively wanted more syrup lol. I also got the million dollar bacon and tore it up. So good. My server was attentive, I was even approached by one of the bartenders to get my opinion on the sangria I ordered which they were trying out and the chef himself came around to see how everything was. Really nice touch. Just an FYI: you will pay $10.50 for still water. Next time I'll get tap for sure but I can't wait to try out the tasting menu when I am in the area for dinner. read more

Elmina - Okra fries - African Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Elmina on 14th Street is truly a vibe. From the moment you walk in, the ambiance wraps around you -- rich clay and burgundy walls layered with splashes of white that feel both warm and sophisticated. It's intimate, stylish, and effortlessly cool. Now let's talk about the food. We started with the pork belly appetizer, perfectly prepared and packed with flavor. For entrées, we had the tomahawk steak and the crab fried rice, and listen... every bite was so good it made me hum, shimmy in my seat, and roll my eyes back just a little. That's how you know it's serious. But what really elevated the experience was our bartender, Jay. The cocktails were crafted to perfection...smooth, balanced, and memorable. And then came the Malva pudding cake. Whew. That dessert absolutely stole the show. Warm, decadent, and unforgettable. I will definitely be back just for that cake alone. Five-star restaurant energy all around -- and as a bonus, it's Black-owned. A whole experience from start to finish. read more

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