"A new Hyde Park restaurant offers a tour of the world via the African diaspora. Mahari offers the rice fritter known as calas from New Orleans; spiced, grilled suya skewers with mushroom instead of the typical beef from Nigeria; samosa-like sambusas from East Africa; and Caribbean ingredients like plantains and the Haitian slaw pikliz, all served alongside drinks crafted with African and Caribbean spirits and flavors."
"At Mahari, he said, they celebrate their roots through the different routes of the African diaspora. That starts with small bites, including his calas, also known as Creole rice fritters, traditionally a sweet breakfast dish served with cafe au lait. But chef Rah, as he’s known, makes savory deep-fried salmon cala, served with mango chutney and a clementine salad."
"African, Creole, Caribbean, Afro-Latina, and soul food dishes can all be found on Mahari’s menu. At this Hyde Park restaurant, expect suya grilled mushroom skewers and prawn and polenta with red curry, along with Carribean-spiced lamb burgers and tamarind-glazed filet mignon."
"Staff from Mahari, a new restaurant serving up cuisine from across the African diaspora, along with elected officials and members of the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce celebrate the eatery's opening in the Hyde Park Shopping Center with a ribbon-cutting on Friday, Jan. 17, 2025."
"A fusion restaurant celebrating its owners’ roots in the African diaspora is now open in Hyde Park, following a packed grand opening which showcased the close connections the owners have already built among locals."
From "23 Things to Do in Chicago This Weekend" - New Afro-fusion restaurant Mahari is opening its doors this weekend, kicking off with a Friday ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce. Started by chef Rahim Muhammad, Mahari mixes African, Caribbean, Creole, Afro-Latina and soul food.
"From the vibrant spices of West Africa to the soulful comfort foods of the American South, one new Hyde Park restaurant is inviting you on a unique culinary journey of tradition. “Mahari” is a dining experience that combines African, Caribbean, Creole, Afro-Latina, and soul food cuisine."
"(Muhammad's grandmother's) home, nestled in a large network of levees for the Mississippi River, was teeming with life – the front yard had avocado, fig and plum trees, and it was a meeting place for the extended family. He added that the warm, moist climate of Louisiana meant that crops grew in abundance in his grandmother’s community, imbuing people with a strong value for fresh food."
"Hailing from a long line of chefs, Muhammad said Mahari is the amalgamation of his familial roots in the Dominican Republic and Louisiana, and his time spent exploring the Caribbean and the American South."
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.