Here’s some key excerpts from The article by PH-er/CH-er (and DH-er) Joshua Bernstein (JoshB):
“In Africa, a palava hut is a town hall with a high, thatched roof and waist-high halls, so that everyone can catch the goings-on. On Atlantic Avenue, Palava Hut is one of the warmest, most welcoming establishments I’ve visited in months (992 Atlantic Avenue btw Grand & Classon Aves., Prospect Heights, Brooklyn; 718-623-3174)…”
“What you find is a serve-yourself policy and a dusty, see-through fridge. It’s stocked with mini-pyramids of Guinness, Heineken and Beck’s in the stomach-pleasing 24-ounce size. Pay four bucks per bottle, grab a plastic cup, crack the beer’s cap with a Corona bottle opener and sit at a plastic-topped table. Now you can marvel at the exploded-curio-shop decorating scheme…”
“…The well-spoken proprietor, Remy, can often be found resting her head on a clump of pillows, watching PBS on a tiny color TV. The scene is all grandma’s kitchen, if grandma lived in Nigeria.”
“During the daytime and early evening, Palava Hut sells gigantic plates of home-cooked vittles. Though I have yet to sample every delicacy, on one visit I tried fried rice, served alongside goat on the bone (in ‘red sauce’)… The okra-studded fried rice was savory and delicious–and large enough for two–while the goat was tender. The red sauce, however, was a five-alarm fire … Palava Hut (also) offers pepper soup, cow’s feet, beef, traditional yam dishes and ‘land snails’… ”
“You can drink … surrounded by a cast of characters (including) Baba Jagun … During the ’80s, he drummed for Fela Kuti … I feel a little awed by this obscure legend, happily toiling away on Atlantic Avenue, miles away from the stage.” Read more…
Bottled palm wine is fairly easy to find in Brooklyn, though you should know the fresh stuff served in Africa is superior.
Restaurants (like the Palava Hut, the Nigerian Combination Restaurant on Clarkson near Utica, the Ghanaian Meytex Lounge on Flatbush near Lincoln Road) and African groceries (such as Odua on Washington Avenue near Prospect Place) should have the bottled stuff.
Hi i do not know about palm wine but I enjoy eating at Palava Hut as a matter of fact the restaurant’s number is on my phone speed dial and I am not even Nigerian. So that says a lot It may not be a lot to look at but the food is great and very close to authentic ( at least the is what all my Nigerian friends have said).
The food is wonderful and so is Remi. There should be no question of its authenticity because Remi is Nigerian and the food is prepared from her recipes. While I’ve not had any of the wine, I can vouch for the food and portions. My favorites are ALL of the rice dishes, fish, and beans. Since the food is freshly prepared, you can request little spice as I do when I dine there.