Paris, France is known for it’s romantic atmosphere, beautiful scenery, iconic architecture, bon-bons, and great food that is rich and cultural! Waly-Fay Restaurant stands out as one of the cities grand eateries where everyone is welcome, and the food is absolutely delicious. Serving up West African, Cajun, and Creole dishes are the restaurants specialty. The restaurant offers vegetarian dishes too. Wal-Fay restaurant prides itself on hosting a menu of diverse options. Olivier Thimothée is the owner of Waly-Fay Restaurant. He explains that Waly-Fay is the name of the griot, a storyteller in African traditions. The ‘griot’ traveling storytellers maintain a tradition of oral history in parts of West Africa. 50 year-old businessman Olivier was born in Paris and raised there among the French culture mixed with the unique cultures of his parents. His father is from Martinique, West Indies and his mother was born in Algeria. In 1997, just under 30 years old, Olivier had an idea. He wanted to create a place where people could congregate over good, healthy, and cultural meals. He followed his dream and successfully opened the restaurant to reflect his own multi-cultural experience in Paris. Waly-Fay is his only Parisian establishment, but Olivier is currently working on a new project in Martinique, W.I. The restaurant features the national dish of Senegal, ‘Tiep Bou Dien’. This is the most popular dish on the menu. The dish is originally from Senegal and the traditional recipe includes fish, rice, tomato and onions. However, tiep is commonly consumed in several countries in West Africa. Depending on the country, the recipe and the ingredients will change. Olivier says, “It is a kind of stew with smoked and dried fish. It is served on large trays with the rice on the bottom and the fish (usually a white grouper), and many whole vegetables placed in the center.” It looks, smells and tastes really good!
Olivier Thimothée Owner of Waly-Fay Restaurant
We hear stories of success and we often look at the beauty of where a person has come from, but we must respect the hard work put into the business. Olivier is successful because he prides himself on honoring his cultures, representing his family values in all he does, and provides customers with an amazingly wonderful dining experience- not just a meal. Waly-Fay can welcome 120 guests, including some outdoor seating. The restaurant has a wonderful staff ready to serve you, including two lead chefs, Dalla Sankare from Senegal and Jeannie Tientcheu from Cameroon. A review on TripAdvisor from Vancouver, Canada native, ‘Modus Operandie’ echoes popular sentiments: “We had a really, really good lunch here, a total spur of the moment decision. Incredible flavours and varieties, and not expensive. Everything we ordered from the formule menu was excellent. Treat the hot sauce on the table with care, but try some. Try this place!” -Modus Operandie Be sure to visit the restaurant located at 6 Rue Godefroy, Cavaignac, Paris, 75011. The phone number is 01 40 24 17 79 and the website is www.walyfay.fr communiqué Magazine
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