Bissap African Nights offers exotic cocktails not available anywere else, delicious Sengalese West African food and an ambience that will transfer you to Africa. After enjoying Bissap, move around the corner to Little baobab and dance to African, Caribbean, Latin, Rai and World beats.
In Short Offering unique tropical cocktails and dishes from Senegal, this dim, funky spot is a choice stop for Mission-dwellers seeking lively atmosphere and world-beat tunes. Drinks flavored with hibiscus juice, ginger and tamarind go down like punch, but also pack one. Prices are low on fried plantains, marinated lemon-mustard chicken with couscous and stewed red snapper. Most dishes consist of generously proportioned stews redolent with cumin, chilies and ginger served with rice or couscous.
West African fare from Marco Senghor, whose lively ginger & tamarind cocktail blends tend to enliven the meal more than the chef's concoctions. Food is pretty good and flavorful, but not spicy. Some like the selection of African beers; entrees run $9-$15, and there are vegetarian options. The Aloko (plaintains)and Pastelles (fried pockets with various fillings) are popular appetizers. After dinner try your luck on the dancefloor at Little Baobob up the street is the orignal location in the Mission, the lively dive a half block behind the Beauty Bar.
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DANGER!!!!
By peep28
My friends and I were there on Saturday, July 12th. At first it seemed like a pretty cool little place, interesting music, ect. Around 1 A.M. my friends who were drinking mixed drinks all started to feel funny. I only had one beer, so I was okay, I don't drink much anymore anyway. My other two friends go out alot, and hold their alcohol pretty well. They had 2 drinks a piece and were so wasted and falling down it was a struggle to hold them up. We had eatten dinner, and had 1 drink at another bar where we know the bartender so I doubt he slipped them anything, and like I said, these girls can hold their booze. I don't have solid proof but my guess is that these girls were drugged, and being that I saw the bartender hand them their drinks (meaning they passed though no one elses hands) it was probably him. Ladies be warned. I realise this could happen anywhere but the whole place just seemed shady.
Posted 07/13/08
Delicious African Experience
By lgreen7777
I was visiting San Fran recently, and wanted to check out an authentic African restaurant in the city. I came across menu pages, and found Bissap Baobab (a restaurant of Senegalese cuisine in the Mission district). I took the subway over from my hotel on a Thursday evening early last month (April 2007) and was greeted by a cool and relaxed atmosphere with a very personable host. I decided to order my food to go and sat at the bar, where I was greeted by a equally pleasant bartender (who even helped me with selecting my order). I settled on the Seafood Coconut dish (w/ tilapia & w/ couscous as my options, as I could have also chosen chicken or rice, etc.). It came with veggies in a wonderful tamarind paprika coconut sauce. I also decided to order a dessert to go, and I chose the Thiakry (a milk & yogurt blend with raisins, strawberries, nutmeg, and vanilla--a yummy and light, but perfectly sweet way to end the meal!
Two more things I liked about Bissap Baobab--on the very night that I visited them, a portion of everyone's meal price was going towards an organization of awareness re: women's sexual assault. I was pleased about that. And lastly, if I had more time, I would have gone out the door and just turned the corner to the restaurant's dance club--Little Baobab--where they invited all their patrons to come over for dancing to world music after their meals at Bissap Baobab. Next time Little Baobab, next time! :)
Pros: Tasty food, great vibe, best when going early evening
Posted 05/05/07
Inconsistent service
By tf2001
I adore the drinks at this place but I've had a couple of bad experiences here with the service. However, I liked the lanb stew so much that I'm going to give it another shot and chalk it up to a couple of off nights....
Posted 11/15/06
Fun Dining Experience
By lkcoops
This is a hidden gem. Fantastic food, interesting drinks, relaxed atmospher - all in all a great evening. The lamb dishes are out of this world, especially JOALIENNE -(Senegalese Paella). This dish made my mouth very happy. The PASTELLES appetizers were a treat as well. I would recommend everyone try this place.
Pros: Food and drinks and atmopher Cons: A bit crowded
Posted 11/15/06
good unique food
By kda_gg
You have to read these reviews carefully. This is a smallish restaurant. If you come with a party of 8 on a Saturday night, you aren't going to have a good experience. It's also a scene later on and can get very crowded. Go early or on a week night and you will have great food and good service. The fried plantains were amazing and I loved my seafood entree. The drinks were tasty, but small and I thought a little pricey. The food was relatively inexpensive so I guess it all came out even in the end.
