World-renowned Ethiopian chef, Marcus Samuelsson has been busy this year. He is set to open his culinary debut to Chicago, C-House in the new hotel, Affinia Chicago, in April. He’ll be bringing his signature culinary style and providing room service, as well as catering throughout the hotel.

He has also opened a new restaurant and lounge in Manhattan’s Meat District (or the West Village for you more cultured folks) called Mercato 55. The name is a nod to his Ethiopian roots and Marcus Samuelsson spares nothing to give you the ambiance and an edginess to pan-African cuisine. Located on Gansevoort Street, it is already getting rave reviews for its food and drinks.

The drinks are attracting a lot of attention with a particular focus on rums. One of the more popular drinks is Kinka, a rum drink that has a special blend of fruits to create a unique fruit punch. There are infused rums, rums with African dance names, and rums that will make you come back for more. The drink list alone is worth coming back for. The ambiance is wonderful, with basket lamps, silkscreen African art and wood and clay decor. There is a ‘kidogo (small in Kiswahili) bar’ which features different African breads with unique spreads, and great pan-African entrees.

Sounds like a great idea. Pan-African food surrounded by African smells, sounds, poems, and proverbs…..that’s heaven to me!