Black-owned Ottawa restaurants showcase their tastiest dishes
Black-owned restaurants are very much a part of the food scene in Ottawa.
Lennox Antoine, the owner of Island Flava, opened his ByWard Market restaurant 18 years ago.
"It’s like I’m in the Caribbean and in the freezing cold of Ottawa. It’s that needle in a haystack being downtown," said Antoine.
As Canada marks Black History Month, there’s an aim to celebrate Black culinary traditions and share experiences.
"Being from the Caribbean and being of the Black nationality, we try to support our own community in order to build and grow together," he said.
Lanre Akanbi owns Suya Palace on Somerset Street in the west-end of Ottawa.
Weaving food and culture together, it’s a place where families and friends can gather for a taste of Nigerian culture.
"To me, it’s what can I also give to the country and the community," said Akanbi. "Having moved to Canada, my focus is integrating in the community."
The restaurant highlights delicious West African food, including jollof rice, soups and Nigerian-spiced meats.
"It combines that with street food culture. We aim to reach out to the diversity of people in Canada," said Tobi Akanbi, who also works at Suya Palace.
The restaurant faced some challenges after moving to a new location during the pandemic.
"We just remained focused on the goal and target of what we want to build in Ottawa," said Akanbi.
After overcoming that challenge, the staff continue to grow the business and Akanbi looks forward to what’s to come.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ukraine's army chief reports tactical retreat in the east, and warns of front-line pressure
Ukraine's troops have been forced to make a tactical retreat from three villages in the embattled east, the country's army chief said Sunday, warning of a worsening battlefield situation as Ukrainian forces wait for much-needed arms from a huge U.S. aid package to reach combat zones.
Ontario to ban use of cellphones in school classrooms starting in September
Ontario is introducing a suite of measures that will crack down on cellphone use and vaping in schools.
Here's where Canadians are living abroad: report
A recent report sheds light on Canadians living abroad--estimated at around four million people in 2016—and the public policies that impact them.
Invasive and toxic hammerhead worms make themselves at home in Ontario
Ontario is now home to an invasive and toxic worm species that can grow up to three feet long and can be dangerous to small animals and pets.
Laurentian University to spend millions on recommendations in second budget post insolvency, but nothing new to reopen pool
Laurentian University's board of governors approved a budget of just over $201.7 million for the 2024-2025 fiscal year.
Murder charge laid after man falls to death from Toronto apartment balcony
One person has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of a man who fell from a balcony following an altercation inside a Toronto apartment building.
Dozens in Italy give a fascist salute on the anniversary of Mussolini's execution
Dozens of people raised their arms in the fascist salute and shouted a fascist chant during ceremonies Sunday to honor Italian dictator Benito Mussolini on the 79th anniversary of his execution.
'Do not consume': Gift Chocolate recalled due to undeclared milk, soy
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency has issued a recall for a specific chocolate brand sold in Ontario and Quebec.
Zendaya tennis movie ‘Challengers’ scores at weekend box office
Zendaya and castmates Mike Faist and Josh O’Connor have been on a globetrotting press tour to get the word out about Italian director Luca Guadagnino's original film, which opened in 3,477 locations in the U.S. and Canada.