Jambo Café

The warm welcome at this locals' favorite starts with the greeting "jambo," and does not end until the door swings shut on the way out. Find African and Caribbean fare with clean flavors and ample portions at the restaurant that rebounded strongly after a driver plowed through its front window last year. You'd never know, as the plates come as effortlessly from chef Ahmed Obo's kitchen as they have since he opened in 2009. For starters, the cinnamon-dusted fried plantains come sizzling hot with a tangy curry pineapple dipping sauce ($5.95). Entrees run the gamut from simple to elegant, starting with goat stew and finishing with the likes of seasoned mahi-mahi grilled in a banana leaf and topped with chunky mango tamarind sauce ($16.95). The moist, mildly flavored fish dish comes with sauteed bok choy and wild black rice that's tender and chewy. We appreciate Jambo's attention to detail in the rice department. Whether it's this version or the fragrant basmati rice that comes with many other dishes, it will be done right. The combination plate ($14.95) is a great place to start, since it arrives with the bone-in goat stew with its gamey richness and herbaceous notes, a portion of chicken curry in a coconut-based spicy sauce, and a pile of coconut lentils. Just try to leave room for Jamaican rum pie for dessert ($5.95).

Lunch and Dinner
Monday-Saturday

.$$.

Jambo Café
2010 Cerrillos Road,
505-473-1269

Twitter: @JamboSF