CityView Magazine

CityViewNC.com | 29 Americans and Caribbeans. With their help, she curated international exhibits of art at Fayetteville State University. Again, there was never any plan to open a restaurant, but the seed for one germinated while Isabella represented Ghana for the Umoja Group during e Art Council's International Folk Festi- val at Festival Park. On the Saturday of the event, Isa- bella's group served traditional food from West Africa. On Sunday, they per- formed traditional dances on stage, but aer the show, people came to find her, seeking her food. "No food today," she said. "We're on stage today." But they persisted. "Where's the food?" they asked. "Where's the restaurant?" e walls of Taste of West Africa are an art museum themselves. In older im- ages of the restaurant featured on Trip Advisor—the travel website from which Taste of West Africa has won multiple Certificates of Excellence—different art adorns the walls. Most recently, when I went in, there were painted tribal masks, zebras, giraffes, wooden statuettes and a detailed acrylic painting of African nomads. Isabella wants to showcase all aspects of African heritage and culture. "We try to represent not only Ghana, but East Africa, South Africa, West Af- rica, Kenya, too, the whole continent." Isabella grew up both eating and serving the food that Taste of West Af- rica makes. When she was a girl, she helped her mother sell food just like it to the community. "It wasn't a typical restaurant, more like a road-side place, but we make the same things here." And of all the food they make, Isa- bella likes okra soup best. "It's what we grew up on. We planted our own okra, our own vegetables, eve- rything. ere's something about it, even my children love okra." Isabella's children, Deborah, 13, and Lordia, 6, both students at St. Ann's Catholic School, also help at the restau- rant. When she can, Deborah takes or- ders or works the cash register. Lordia, from what I understand, spreads the word. For full product and safety information, including possible mild side effects, see Ultherapy.com/IFU. © 2013 Ultherapy is a registered trademark of Ulthera Inc. 1002221A Mary B. Kansora, MD, FACS 910-323-2002 2139 Valleygate Drive www.valleyeyeclinic.net Lift, Fill and Finish Ultherapy – ONLY FDA approved device for tightening the skin of the brow, face and neck – non-invasive, no downtime Botox and Xeomin – Treatment of frown lines and wrinkles Juvederm, Radiesse and Belotero – Dermal fillers for moderate to severe wrinkles Neocutis – A pharmaceutical grade topical skincare regimen that repairs tissue and promotes collagen growth Aesthetic Visions AT VALLEY EYE CLINIC PLLC Fellows of the American College of Surgeons American Board of Ophthalmology Certified SEE THE BEAUTY OF SOUND ™ Phyllis B. Cook, DDS, MPH Diplomate of American Board of Periodontology New state of the art periodontal office now open in Fayetteville! Offering services for periodontal disease, gum grafting and dental implants. Diagnostic technology includes digital x-rays and cone beam CT 3-D imaging. For quality care in the experienced hands of Dr. Cook, call today. Periodontics & Dental Implants 910.860.8486 612 Winding Creek Rd., Ste. 202 Fayetteville, NC 28305 www.phylliscook.com Fayettevilleperio@gmail.com

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