Best of Bamako - Review

I thought its time to give a shout out to of my favorite new spots in Bamako (there didn't make it into the tourist guides). They deserve the publicity - for any of you thinking coming through the BKO these are must sees:

1. Le Flayboyant - The Flamboyant is a "cultural space" in Niamakoro - right next to city UNICEF. Thur - Sunday entrance is free, beers are cheap (about $1.20 a piece), and there is live music and dancing from 10:30 till 6 am. There are two lovable men - we refer to as the Grandpas who hold it down on the dancefloor regardless of the crowd. Grandpa 1 favors a solo salsa style dance, usually smoking a cigarette with one hand while the other is suavely placed along his abdomen. Grandpa 2, or "my grandpa," favors a more free style energetic style and often grabs crowd members to join him up on the floor - Drissa and I are both past victims. The MC/singer is another older guy who sings from his chair - surrounded by beer bottles and gives love to the crowd throughout the night. Their slogan is "on est ensemble" - we are together - which people shout out after every song. The chairs and tables are set up around the stage which hosts the band and dancers. They have palms and other large trees covered with X-mas lights and you almost forget you are in Bamako. It's the outdoor music space I alwasy wanted in BKO. I am working on becoming a regular.

2. Broadway Cafe - The only place in Bamako to get a real hamburger - cooked medium - realy medium with pink inside. This place is owned by a Malian who lives in the US. Broadway's menu boasts coke floats, burritors, cheeseburgers, and American style breakfast foods. The restaurant has funkyish decor and is air-conditioned with wireless. This is a refuge when you are missing home....

3. The Cactus - owned by a older Canadian couple who've been here since 1979 - the Cactus has hands down best food I've had in Mali. It's about 12k outside Bamako toward Kabala - past Kalabancoura - I give it 100 stars! First time I went, they treated us to an assorted salad plate - macaroni salad, potato salad, tuna salad, and german pickles. Last night we had mexican beef, beans, rice, salad in home made tortillas - it was phenomenal. When you go - the patron - usually suggests food or drink and you just roll with it and its amazing. Last night we had margaritas - with lime picked from the neighboring tree, followed by bloody marys (what he happened to be drinking). It was amazing!!! He has two adorable granddaughters who come visit the clientel as well as a never ending stream of interesting guests. We met a guy who was driving a 1954 Landrover from the UK to South Africa. His headgasket blew in Bamako so he was staying at the cactus while the repairs were being done. Go to the cactus and I promise excellent food, conversation, and drinks.