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With the District’s global reach, the DMV restaurant scene has long had an international flare, and a celebrated chef, has expanded upon it by bringing the bold and tasty flavors of Ghana to the nation’s capital. 

Earlier this year, Adjepong – a television personality on food competition shows such as Top Chef: Kentucky and as a guest on several productions – decided to take an entrepreneurial leap by opening , 220814^th Street NW.

“I have been looking for a location for two years and my broker told me about this space that was going to be vacant,” Adjepong told the Informer. “The occupant was moving their business to DuPont Circle, so I decided to look at it and I liked it. The potential of the space for my restaurant seemed good and I like my neighbors. Everything has worked out.”

Adjepong, a native of the Bronx in New York City and a first generation Ghanian-American, has started his eatery as the released a survey on March 18 stating that 2 out of 5 casual dining restaurants are likely to close this year due to a combination of rising costs, federal workforce cuts and declining traffic (people not visiting the city). 

The chef and entrepreneur, who holds a degree in culinary arts and nutrition from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island, and a master’s in international public health nutrition from the University of Westminster in London, is aware of the survey but has a strategy to counter it.

“Elmina customers will be treated to a first-class experience,” Adjepong, 37, said. “The dishes will be prepared well, and the service will be professional and courteous. We want our customers to come back and to tell their friends about their experience here.”

What’s on the Menu?

Customers can partake in the tasting menu, chop bar, brunch, and cocktails. The five-course meal that consists of a choice of salad, appetizers such as fufu and short rib, large meats such as Jollof duck pot, Fante Fante fish and desserts such as Malva pudding cake is known as the tasting menu.

The chop bar features oysters, octopus, plantain chips, beef, and pork belly. 

Those who want brunch can choose such offerings as steak and eggs, eggs benedict, vegetable omelet, shrimp & grits and sides like pork or chicken sausage.

Elmina, which has a bar at the front of the establishment, also features craft cocktails for guests to enjoy. 

Kelly Wilborn, who lives in Northeast, heard about Elmina from a friend and decided to visit on April 26 during brunch. Having ordered steak and eggs and sparkling water, she told The Informer she enjoyed the experience.

“The food here is good because it is cooked and I can tell it was made with care,” said Wilborn, 32. “The atmosphere here is nice and kind of classy. I will definitely be back.”