Little Baobab

okay so we were very excited to come here because of all the great things we read and heard about this place we even planned ahead..so i was very very disappointed as soon as we walked in. we were only there like 5 min and could not stand the smell of the place, there was no were comfortable to sit and it was so small..i cannot believe that there is a 5 dollar charge for a place like this ive been to better places with no charge. we immediately left the place and got a refund.

Pros: good location

Posted 07/18/09

Last Saturday I went out with a group of girls for a Bachelorette Party. After dinner we stopped by Little Baobab for some dancing after hearing how much fun it was there. There were 7 of us total. At the door we were told there was a $5 per person cover charge. After a little haggling with the doorman, he let the Bachelorette in for free and charged us $25 for the remaining 6 of us (a big savings of $5). After we got in we noticed that the drink list taped to the bar stated that ladies got in free before 10:30 on Friday and Saturday nights. After looking at my watch, I noticed that it was only 10:15. I was a little irritated that we had just paid $25 to get into a bar that was no bigger that my garage. When we asked the doorman that had taken our money about it, he told us that "tonight was special". He couldn't tell us what was special about that night nor was it a holiday. On top of that, the beer that I ordered had some type of goey stuff on the bottom of the bottle. After wiping it off with a napkin, I smelled by hand (which was a big mistake) and it smelled like it had been sitting in something nasty for quite some time. So needless to say, I left there feeling taken advantage of, dissappointed and disgusted.

Pros: Something different

Cons: crowded, not worth paying to get in

Posted 08/24/08

It was really fun, they had great music and a really chill vibe. it wasn't too crowded. The drinks were a little expensive but it's to be expected.

Posted 10/26/06

I cannot say enough good things about Little Baobab. The food is cheap, it is excellent, the drinks are amazing (be sure to try the homemade rum/vodkas infused with fresh fruit), and they spin the best music I have heard in the city (sucre/French African and Latin beats with some reggae influence). After midnight, the place turns into an international dance fest...you cannot go there and not dance. It is actually physically impossible I think. The staff is super friendly--when you go there, you feel like you are hanging out at a friend's house. If you want a formal dining experience with pretention (and air conditioning), don't go here. If you want to let go and have a great time, go here.

Pros: Everything

Cons: No skinny blond chicks from the Marina

Posted 08/29/06

As a frequent visitor to Senegal and a friend of many Senegalese, I was greatly dissapointed to find names of Senegalese dishes that bor very little resemblance to actual Senegalese food that I have eaten over the years in Senegal. I saw only one person in restaurant who was Senegalese and saw no persons from Senegal in the kitchen. There were Senegalese dishes on the menu, but not what was actually served. The atmosphere was lively and I thought that there were a lot of young folks who had probably been to Senegal in the Peace Corps, etc. and that they came because of the food. I don't believe after having the food, that these people were coming because the food reminded them of Senegal. The place was jumping. The food...blah!!

Pros: fun atmosphere

Cons: not authentic recipes, crowded, tasteless

Posted 10/18/05

We live around the corner and every chance I get, I try to swing dinner and cocktails at the LB. The food is cheap, fresh, and really tasty. My sugestions include the crabcake, the tropical salad, the hummus, and the peach melba...but really, I've had most of the menu and for the most part, it all rocks! For main dishes, they cook up a mean chicken curry. Their cocktails are all innovative and interesting, but some are definitely an acquired taste...The DJ and sometimes salsa dancing don't hurt the scene, either.

Pros: street parking, patio seating, cheap!

Cons: , only one bathroom

Posted 12/09/04

the atmosphere is fabulous, you can't not get atleast one cool drink (like the hibiscus margarita. MMMmmm) and the shrimp dish is awesome but if you're feeling poor thi splace is not for you.

Pros: Cute cute cute, good food, interesting drinks

Posted 07/12/04

I've been a handful of times, and the food seems to be only getting better and better. It's really refreshing to have a afrocaribbean restaurant in the city for fans like me. Although the place is small, it's really fun and cozy. The cari poulet (chicken curry) is delicious as the spices are perfect and the chicken tender and falling off the bones. the coconut shrimp is also very fragrant and yummy. also try their chocolate brownie, one of the best i've had.

Pros: food, variety, drinks

Cons: small, can be crowded

Posted 12/14/03

Wednesday night the gang converged on this Mission restaurant/bar. While seating was sparse, we had a nice place outside and quaffed a few drinks. They were a bit strange about the bottles outside, but a mere transfer into classes dispelled their qualms. As they rest of the crew arrived we went inside to cut up the floor with the sassy Latin rhythms. There were a few salsa pros there, and Maggie and I showed them a few moves I suspect will be making the rounds to other salsa scenes. Stoney was unstoppable and busted quite a few moves himself. Overall, good night, good dancing (though it took a while to get everyone on the floor), and plenty of drinks.

Pros: Dance Floor, Our Salsa Moves, Drinks

Posted 08/27/03

As an experiment, we gnoshed and drank both at Bissap Baobob and Little-- Little was TOO disappointing; I wish I hadn't gone. It's changed in the last couple years. The Banana Drop was disgusting (tasted like dish soap) and the peach melba-- although it's lack of tradition is not at fault-- was made with disgusting cheap vanilla ice cream and it had two tablespoons of SOUR mangoes. The chef needs to taste the food before it goes out, take it off the menu or get better quality ingredients! The melba was GROSS.

Pros: creative, good music, good location

Cons: gross produce, bartender is off, cheap ingredients

Posted 06/16/03

I went here for dinner with two friends early on a Saturday night. The food was very good, but we waited so long for our table to be cleared that we didn't bother ordering dessert. We sat waiting for our check for a good 20 minutes. And suddenly the place started filling up. Still, we waited. Finally someone came over to us - to ask if we could move to the bar while we wait for our check because they needed the table!! Being good little former foodservice workers, we did what we were told, and were left standing at the bar for at least another 10 minutes waiting for our check. I don't know why we didn't just walk out. I realize they were busy, but come on, there are only like 10 tables in the whole place. Never again.

Posted 04/03/03

My first time at Little Baobob I fell in love with the place! The food is wonderful and authentic. I especially liked the shark. Cheap eats, original drinks with tamarind and ginger juice (my fav is the Rose). And after dinner they move the tables away to make room for dancing. Fun :)

Pros: inexpensive, good drinks

Posted 12/18/02

A fantastic little getaway of a restaurant. The food was creative yet not too overpowering for Creole/Cajun food. It was not like food from New Orleans, much more ethnic and surreal. I truly enjoyed the homemade sweet rum. I could not get enough of it. If you get the chance to visit San Fran, you must hit this restaurant for a change of pace. Atmosphere was delicate and delightful. Raphael, the co-owner was most hospitable. Tell him Christian sent you.

Pros: Homemade Rum, Quaint Atmosphere, Authentic Taste

Cons: Small Establishment

Posted 10/26/02

I went to this restaurant because a friend of mine recommended it to me. I went expecting Senegalese food and got Caribbean/Creole instead. Which was fine for me because I love that stuff. The food was really good and very filling. The service wasn't the hottest thing as they kept us waiting a while. But it's a small, intimate place that was quite popular. I would certainly go back again, it was pretty good

Posted 09/18/02