Ida Daniels, the heart and soul of Ma-Musu’s West African Cuisine, recently spiced up her Broad Street restaurant.

Tastemakers

Hungry Richmonders eager to get a table at Ma-Musu’s West African Cuisine can breathe a sigh of relief. Lengthy witing lists should be a thing of the past at this spicy Broad Street eatery now that owner Ida Daniels has raised the restaurant’s capacity to 77, up a whopping 63 since first opening with 14 seats in March 1998.

More than just seats, Daniels has revamped the entire restaurant, with a large mural — chronicling the shared history of Liberia and Virginia — as the testament to her new vision.

The only thing that hasn’t changed is Daniels’ efforts to recreate the hearty and flavorful cooking of her native Liberia. Daniels says the jerk salmon cakes served with steamed butter cabbage and fried plantains are the house favorite. But the spicy collard greens with baked chicken over rice comes in at a close second. Vegetarians will love the large selection of meatless combos. Be warned, however, these dishes are hot.

The menu is priced around $7 for lunch, and $10-$15 for dinner.

Saturday nights feature live jazz, 4-10 p.m. And Daniels shakes up Sunday brunch ($8.95) with live gospel music, from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. The rotating list of musicians and singers assures a wide variety of entertainment.

But if you’re planning to stop by Ma-Musu’s soon for a little sample of African cuisine, you might consider the Christmas Eve buffet and party, with music by Ban Caribe, 10:30 p.m.-1 a.m. Cost is $22.95 per person. 2043 W. Broad St. Closed Mondays.

TRENDING

WHAT YOU WANT TO KNOW — straight to your inbox

* indicates required
Our mailing lists: