Melitta’s Gasthaus has reopened; The Jerk Pit opened in late January; try Taste of Afrika for great spices

Tastemakers

Petersburg’s going German again. Melitta’s Gasthaus has reopened under new management for lunch and dinner. The same owner, Ursula Tison, operates Nino’s Restaurant just south of Petersburg. Specializing in authentic German cuisine — which involves words like Wiener schnitzel and j„gerschnitzel, we’re told — Melitta’s menu offers all the homemade goodies it used to, plus brand new dishes. 815 S. Crater Road. 733-7090. Lots of new restaurants are popping up around town. The Jerk Pit opened in late January. It’s a Jamaican grill on Broad Street, specializing in eclectic jerk dishes (meat that’s real spicy). They also offer other Jamaican foods, plus sandwiches and salads, eat-in or takeout every day but Sunday. 2713 W. Broad St. 353-7755. Speaking of great spices, try the new Taste of Afrika, a casual downtown place furnished with bamboo tables and African art. Opened by Mohammed Ndao, the restaurant offers African dishes with a touch of French, as well as Caribbean and American foods. Strong points are the St. Louis red snapper, chicken yassa (marinated chicken over rice and vegetables) and peanut maffe, a dish of lamb or chicken. All are made with African spices and flavors that will sock it to your senses. Ndao’s most beloved selection is the spicy jerk chicken sub he created in 1995. He says it’s by far the most popular item on the menu. Finish with the homemade sorrel, an African health drink made with pineapple or ginger. Friday nights you’ll hear jazz and African and Caribbean music. Lunch and dinner. Closed Sundays. Second and Main streets. 225-5510.

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