Almeda

The three dishes we ordered were perfectly seasoned, mixing different textures and layering flavors of various products with distinct cooking points. The dishes appear homely, but I am sure they take lots of effort to be presented in this form.

Almeida offers a delicious travel through the African Diaspora cuisines. Some flavors reminded me of the food of Bahia, a primarily black state from my home country, Brazil.

Highly recommended.

Four years ago, Chef Danielle was working at a top chef's restaurant as a server. Now, she's the owner of three concepts in Petworth, one with a review from The Washinton Post's long-time food critic Tom Sietsema. Five stars for Almeda, an Afro fusion restaurant that blends Black food with the chef/owner's personal story.

Making a reservation during DC Veg Week, my friend and I walked into the 18-seat space ready to eat. Here's our experience.

1) Food: For DC Veg Week, our meal included three course that are always on the menu- 1) Spring Bread Service with yellow split peas, carrot caramel, and suya dukkah, 2) Tostone Doubles with chana chickpeas, pickled onion, and pepper sauce, and 3) Jollof Risotto with cabbage, pickled plantain, peanuts, and jollof sauce. Everything was excellent, but especially the tostone doubles and jollof risotto. The flavors and textures play off of each other well.

2) Drinks: Four cocktails and five wine options are on the menu. For a more refreshing drink for the summer, order the White Peach Rum Punch.

3) Service: From the hostess to the chef, everyone was kind and efficient.

4) Space: It's small, but cozy and inviting. The kitchen is open and close to the diners. The restroom has a beautiful tile. Every design piece just works.

5) Area: If you give it a few minutes, street parking should be easier to find compared to other parts of town. The restaurant is also within walking distance from the Petworth Metro station. On the same block are many long-time and new businesses from a bookstore to a clothing shop to a popular pizza place.

Walking into Almeda felt like I was walking into a family member’s kitchen. I was immediately transported back to the hearty meals I used to have as a kid- hot, spicy, rich and bursting with flavor. The stars of the show were the ribs, the jollof risotto and the coconut rum cake. The ribs were fantastic, it was such a good balance of spices. I especially loved the way that it was presented. You’re supposed to eat it in a lettuce wrap with fresh tomatoes, red onions and a delicious pink sauce. It was such a rich bite, packed with so much flavor. The meat was cooked to perfection. The jollof risotto didn’t stand a chance, we gobbled it up in minutes. I think what I loved the most about it was the bits of texture that were sprinkled throughout, it really added a different element to the dish, which I really appreciated. Overall, the entire dining experience felt like a hug from a family member- familiar, warm and cozy. Loved!!!

Refined Afro-Caribbean cuisine on Upshur is just what we needed.

We loved everything we ate. Doubles, ribs, prawns, risotto (basically super flavorful jambalaya) coconut cake.

Ribs were my top choice, my wife doubles. Prawns were giant (I mean GIANT) — slightly undercooked which I like, but if thats not your thing, just ask the chef to give it a nice charr (the kitchen is right there you can talk to everyone)

Awesome time and will be back

We received a warm welcome when we came in. The menu included some nice call backs to familiar dishes, like fish and spaghetti, and a play on dishes I’ve come to know and love in my adulthood like the Jollof Risotto. The portion sizes are just right, the Risotto was generous in fact. Do not pass up the dessert. The pound cake reminded me of my Auntie’s, but the drizzle of cream over top, shards of raspberry chocolate, and moat of toasted coconut surrounding the mini Bundt take it to another level. I plan to go back to try other dishes for sure!!