Welcome to what I hope to be the first in a long line of
blogs about those places in Exeter that deserve some much needed attention.
Exeter is often blasted in the media as having one of the most generic High
Streets in the country, full of big chains, superstores and brands that you can
find everywhere else across this great and pleasant land. But here I will show
you that there is plenty more on offer if you go slightly off the beaten track.
We have a gluttony of small, independent shops and restaurants, and some of the
best attractions and places to visit, that are wholly unique to this city.
So where should we choose to get this ball rolling then?
For my money, and seeing that that is what is going to get
spent on this project it’s a pretty determining factor, one of the best places
in town that sums up what I am looking for is the newly opened Afro-Caribbean restaurant; Afriteo. Located in South Street, just off the High
Street, this authentic eatery is a superb addition to the bustling gastronomic
scene in Exeter. On the face of it, it is quite an unassuming place and if you
were to walk past it you would do well to give it a second glance. But I urge
you that you do. No, actually do more than that. Don’t just glance at it, go in
and eat there, and I’ll be very surprised if you don’t end up going back there
again.
Started by the very friendly, and elegantly tall, Tochukwu
Onu, they rely not on blazing heat and heavy spices that a lot of restaurants
do to cover up for a lack of quality in a lot of their dishes, but instead they
focus a lot more on flavors and traditional seasoning to bring out a more
authentic taste (but if you ask they are more than happy to give whatever you
have ordered a bit more of a kick!).
With a menu that boasts such customary Afro-Caribbean dishes
as Curried Goat, Jerk Chicken, and Isi-Ewu along with native soups, grilled
fish and Spicy Gizzards, Afriteo provides a pleasing alternative to the usual
European/American based cuisine that you will find in most places. However there
is nothing on their menu that should scare anyone off. If you are just willing to try something
other than a burger or a steak that you usually have when you go out then I
assure you that you can’t go very wrong with any of the dishes you can have
here. It amazes, and saddens, me when I see a line of people queuing out of the
door of KFC, which is only meters away; when for the same price they could be
having a great meal of tasty jerk chicken that has been carefully prepared,
instead of a processed, unhealthy, fried bucket of ‘chicken’ that has been just
thrown in a fryer.
Prices are very
reasonable, especially when you are presented with a literal mountain of rice
to accompany each dish that generally means you feel bad that you can never
finish it all off. The only slight
concern is that as well as the food being authentically Afro-Caribbean the
service can be a little ‘traditional’ to. Everyone there is very friendly, but
don’t expect the speed of service you would expect and are accustomed to in a lot
of chain restaurants, but is worth the wait.
The last thing to let you know about is that they have a
very fine selection of fruit and soft drinks, but no alcoholic beverages on
their menu. They are more than happy for you to bring your own beer or wine
with you though to drink with your while you are there, so a quick dash to
Tesco before you arrive might be in order.
I urge you all to pay them a visit. So the next time when
you’re in town and feeling peckish, or you’re going out with friends or family
and fancy a meal, remember there are unique places out there that can give you
that something a little bit different and are well worth giving a try.
Visit their website and check out their full menu at http://afriteo.com/
Opening times:
Monday-Saturday; Lunch 12-3pm, Dinner 5-10pm
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