Page 12 - LRCC May 2022 Focus

MEMBER NEWS FOCUS MAGAZINE | MAY 2022

First Nigerian Restaurant

Brings African Cuisine to

Downtown Lansing

By: Elizabeth Yassick, Kolt Communications, Inc.

ay marks the third month Tatse, an American-
Nigerian restaurant, has been open in its new
Mlocation in downtown Lansing. Tatse owner,
Taiwo Adeleye, first came to the states from Nigeria to Taiwo Adeleye,
Tatse's owner
pursue dancing, where he noticed a lack of authentic
African cuisine. This inspired him to create the first
Nigerian restaurant in Lansing. Tatse is in downtown Lansing, attached to Alobosa, an
African bar. A downtown location was important for
"There are no African restaurants in Lansing and the only Adeleye because in Nigeria, downtown is where you
one in Michigan is in Farmington Hills, said Adeleye. “I’ve want to be. “It’s always busy and that’s where things
worked at other restaurants and wondered what it would are happening,” he said. Adeleye hopes to replicate this
be like to bring African food to the African community sense of community through his restaurant, primarily
here and any other interested community. This inspired the weekly AfroBeat nights. Each Friday, people come
me to create Tatse." to the restaurant to drink, dance and mingle. AfroBeat
night draws in a diverse community of people, which fits
Adeleye created the Tatse menu by fusing traditional perfectly with the Tatse mantra – “African for all.”
Nigerian dishes with American dishes to bring authentic
African meals that still had some familiar flavors. Growing "We want to create something that will bring people
up, his grandmas taught him how to cook and he used around to also make them feel good about themselves.
recipes he learned from them as inspiration for Tatse. I want to be of use to my community,” said Adeleye.
Living in America, he discovered what Americans typically "We’re still growing, but the first couple of months have
enjoy eating and used these foods in his recipes. been great."
"I decided to infuse American ways of cooking into my For newcomers who would like to eat at the restaurant,
recipes," said Adeleye. "I’m a creative person, so to come Adeleye recommends the chicken or veggie bowl, and
up with a recipe, I just kept doing it and doing it until I everyone needs to try the jollof rice. Visit Tatse at 221 S.
got it right. No creation is wrong. You just must work at it Washington Square in downtown Lansing or order online
to get it better." at tatserestaurants.com. l

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