Serene, a new concept that brings together the best of American Southern cooking and Sierra Leonean cuisine, is due to open at 529 Irwin St NE by April at the latest, according to owner Ali Mensurah.
“Right now we’re leaning towards a good classic Southern cuisine,” Mensurah tells What Now Atlanta, “but I’m also from Sierra Leone, so I want to incorporate some African dishes as well. So it’s going to have some of your basic Southern food, but it’s also going to have some of your West African favorites, as far as different types of African soups that pair well with rice and things like that – other starches. It’s going to be a good menu; Southern with an African twist.”
Mensurah, who received a bachelor’s in business administration from Morehouse College, has been involved with the restaurant and nightlife industry for some time. However, this will be the new restaurateur’s first solo project.
Nevertheless, with deep roots in the surrounding community and city at large, Mensurah hopes that Serene proves a welcomed addition to the local culinary scene.
“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a lot of neighbors. I’ve also been a longtime customer in this area, from when the Krog Street Market first opened up, to a resident, and Inman Park Festival goer,” says Mensurah. “I am more than excited to come to this neighborhood, and speaking with some of the neighbors that I’ve spoken to, sharing different concepts that I have, it sounds like we’re all excited together. So I’m just hoping this venture turns out to be a great, positive one for the community.”
