"When you hear the word Afrofuturism, you might think of Octavia Butler or the time your ex showed up to the Black Panther premiere wearing cat ears and a dashiki. If you’re in DC, you should think about Bronze, a restaurant that celebrates all Black culture through well-seasoned, inventive food. Walking through the front doors of the H Street spot starts your journey to the imaginary world of Alonzo Bronze, a man who after traveling the world for 700 years, has accumulated enough cooking techniques and spices from across the African diaspora to open up a restaurant. photo credit: Reema Desai photo credit: Reema Desai photo credit: Reema Desai Bronze the restaurant is as futuristic as Bronze the man's life. Sit in front of the enormous square window in the dining room that’s so big it’s like you’re in the Hubble telescope looking out at space (not just the H Street corridor). Portraits of Black women and men in gold jewelry and ornate hairpieces mirror friends dressed in sparkling tops and sleek dress having a girls' night out. Occasionally, you'll spot a fedora, chelsea boot, or tracksuit alongside a string of birthday dinners that will require you to bob-and-weave through a sea of high-beam selfie lights. Much like the decor, the food here is out-of-this-world. Each dish showcases spices from Ethiopia to the Dirty South. Mocktails are spiced with berbere. Oysters are topped with juicy fish roe and spicy chili. Yolky pappardelle is served with a slurpable oxtail. In an age where so many restaurants are obsessed with fake flowers and neon signs, Bronze will have you texting everyone you know to come back for the flavorful dishes just as much as the picture-perfect backdrop. Food Rundown photo credit: Alex Clirror Torched Oysters Instead of the usual sriracha and lemon, these bad boys are jazzed up with peppery chili flakes, juicy fish roe, and smashed cucumber bits that give you a cool yet fiery kick in every mouthful. photo credit: Reema Desai Braised Oxtail With Pappardelle With oxtail and pasta, it's hard not to love this dish. Buttery, fall-off-the-bone cuts of oxtail swim in a rich, yolk-yellow pappardelle. Where has this dish been hiding all your life? It's here now, and that's all that matters. photo credit: Reema Desai Grilled Poulet This well-charred chicken is coated with cashew bird's eye glaze—which tastes like a mix of paprika, chili, and a generous amount of pepper. Pair the juicy meat with some fingerling potatoes (which should come with the dish by default, but let's not dwell on that). Guava Cheese Donut This dessert is super small, so don't count on sharing it with your date—unless you're up for some passive-aggressive spooning, in the literal sense. It's a light treat, served with sweet cream, fresh blackberries, and a fragrant guava drizzle. Berbere Mocktail This smoky, peppery drink mixes spices like cumin, coriander, and cardamom with honey and chai tea syrup. It's not quite like anything we’ve ever had before." - Omnia Saed
