The Official IJGB* Guide to Lagos - 2015 Edition
*IJGB (I Just Got Back)
IJGB /eye-jay-gee-bee/
The official term used to denote a fresher in Lagos. One who has probably just hopped off a plane at Murtala Mohammed Airport and is ready to pioneer all possible rocks in Lagos.
FOLLY: This blog is really more than a year old sha. Obviously I knew this, but updating this post for the 2015 holiday season this post has just reminded me again.
NOSA: Every day I'm surprised I haven't gotten tired of this thing like usually do with most things.
FOLLY: Anyway, why do IJGBs like denying their status ? Seriously, babygirls and boys you should never apologize for your privilege. I’d be glad I didn’t have to wake up at crack of dawn to commute two hours, on a good day, for a distance that ordinarily shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes.
NOSA: IJGB isn't an insult anymore tbh. I get it was started by locals to condescendingly refer to returnees, but the term has pretty much been reclaimed. Just like black people and N-word, if you get my drift.
You've been away for a bit and a lot of things have changed. Folly and I, the most reliable guides to Lagos rocks, have got you covered.
FOLLY: Churrasco is still a very bad idea and Radisson Blu has finally reopened. There was an unfortunate fire at Ebaeno, LASTMA stopped working, and if Quilox is your thing you just might run into the new Governor cause much like you, he's still a baby boy in waiting.
NOSA: Quilox, and Escape, are disgusting abeg.
RSVP
NOSA: Technically, RSVP shouldn't be on here because it opened last year. But it opened in December and we had already published our December guide so I guess that makes it eligible for this year's guide.
FOLLY: We probably sound like broken records on this RSVP matter, but in my books RSVP is always a good idea.
NOSA: RSVP is still the "IT" spot. It's still expensive, the cocktails are still amazing, and the pool, at the back, is opening just in time for IJGB season.. Oh, don't forget to make a reservation too.
Crossroads
FOLLY: Crossroads is Eko Hotel's newest restaurant. They opened two this year, the other one is RED which sadly is no good, so let's focus on Crossroads. The space, just like RSVP's, is absolutely unique and is not the regular Nigerian four walled restaurant with meh chairs from Ultimate furniture or some similarly priced Chinese rubbish.
NOSA: If you're looking for better-than-decent Tex Mex in Lagos, this is the spot. Lagos has been managing Bottles for far too long. We deserved this, fam. We deserved this.
FOLLY: Neck to neck with RSVP for my favorite restaurant in Lagos right now.
Hans & René
FOLLY: These guys appeared out of nowhere and started blowing up Instagram. This is the "agbalumo ice-cream place " all your friends told you about. Technically, it's an Agbalumo Sorbet and also, they don't sell ice-cream it's gelato.
NOSA: Gelato dates are the new wave. Trust me, brothers.
Lotus @ Pattaya
30 Adeola Hopewell Street, Victoria Island.
NOSA: These guys aren't particularly new or anything. When 355 closed shop for 21 days, Lotus filled the 355-sized hole in our hearts and #LotusNights became a legit thing. If the 355 bouncers, in their infinite roid rage, decide to refuse you entry, all is not lost. Lotus is a solid pre-game alternative.
FOLLY: I don't know if they still do this deal, but the fishbowl is N5k on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Urban Fuxion
Around and about, so call them on 0703 639 6469 or 0809 850 0512
NOSA: This one is probably one of my favorite Lagos things right now. Partly because I always wanted to own my food truck. They have arguably the best ribs in Lagos. The fries usually need salt and the po boy tastes like ass, but the ribs are the one.
FOLLY: They've taken the Po boy off the menu so can you let them hear word!
Now this one is for those of you that mark attendance at SIP daily. You don't have to travel to Maroccaine to level your stomach before you go home, the Urban Fuxion food truck is usually parked a few meters away from the Sip Gate till 5am, you're welcome.
Road Chef
NOSA: Lagos hasn't really had a fast food spot in that McDonald's-type space for the longest time. Mr. Biggs has fallen off, TFC doesn't quite cut it, and Tantalizers is only good as a point of reference when giving directions. Road Chef, and it's 24-hour drive thru (yes, a real drive thru and you don't pay 120k for a table either), isn't a fine dining spot so don't go in there expecting that. Think Burger King, Taco Bell, or McDonald's.
FOLLY: Pro-tip, skip the chicken burger and the chicken strips too cause they are both flavorless. They have a breakfast wrap and a breakfast muffin too, both are pretty good and are as close as you'll get to a McDonald's breakfast in Lagos (in case you find yourself craving it).
NOSA: Oh, they have American-style sweet potato fries btw.
BONUS - The EAT.DRINK.FESTIVAL
There's only one place you should be on December 20th, our Food Festival! The goal of the festival is to create an unmatched culinary experience with the city's best food and drink vendors. "Online Restaurants" don't get a restaurant week so this is like that...kinda.
Look, if you've been to any of our Lunch Clubs you'll know the most important thing to us will always be the food so this should be fun. Check out the festival website for more information, updates and the vendor line up.