Prove Me Wrong About Palava Hut
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…