In 2024, Libyan immigrant Charlesetta “Clarice” Norkeh opened Clarice Kitchen, a restaurant centered on West African cuisine. The restaurant emerged from a trend she discovered upon moving to Louisville: the severe lack of West African food. For the past few years, she’s been combating this deficiency by selling delicious, authentic meals from her restaurant in Buechel. I had the opportunity to have some dishes for dinner one night at Clarice Kitchen, and the experience was excellent.
To start, anyone looking to try Clarice Kitchen should note that the portions are substantial, which I did not expect when ordering. I ended up with a tray of chicken with jollof rice, fried plantains and a large portion of stew with fufu and white rice. The night I purchased the meal, I barely put a dent in it, and my family ate leftovers for the rest of the week. On account of the large portions, I recommend that groups eating at Clarice Kitchen order one or two meals, instead of each purchasing their own. The meals, between 20 and 30 dollars, are reasonably priced considering the portions and quality.
Chicken with jollof rice was by far my favorite dish at Clarice Kitchen. The chicken was incredibly flavorful and cooked to perfection, accompanied by a sauce on the side for those who prefer a spicier taste. Norkeh recommended this dish for customers who are trying West African food for the first time, as they may be more familiar with the flavor profile.
Another dish I tried was goat stew with fufu. Customers should note that traditional West African goat stew contains bones for flavor and nutritional value, which are not edible. As it was my first time trying fufu, Norkeh recommended I order a small portion along with white rice, in case I did not enjoy the unfamiliar dish. Ultimately, I really liked the fufu, but I appreciated Norkeh’s efforts to ensure people who are trying certain foods for the first time enjoy their meal.
“Overall, the experience was very good. I had never tried African food before, so I was looking forward to it. The brown rice, chicken and goat stew were all good. The stew was very spicy, though, so I wasn’t able to eat very much of it,” customer Bo Mason said.
His favorite dish was the goat stew, and he wished he had a higher spice tolerance so he could have eaten more of it.
The restaurant itself is small and sleek, with a television and a selection of tables and booths. Norkeh cultivates an incredibly welcoming environment by talking with customers and explaining the various dishes. She enjoys interacting with the customers, and seeing positive reactions to her food is incredibly significant to her.
“Feeding people, the excitement, the expression, the appreciation after people eat. The gratitude — that’s my favorite [part of running the restaurant],” Norkeh said.
I highly recommend Clarice Kitchen as a local spot with exemplary customer service for anyone looking to eat some fresh, delicious West African food. Customers can order at the restaurant or online for dine-in or pick-up. Clarice Kitchen is open 12 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Mondays and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. The restaurant is located at 4113 Bardstown Road.
