​​As you enter, the theme and vibes you got from the outward appearance seamlessly flow to the inner decor. The walls are all painted with the same warm color scheme and there are murals, pictures, and wooden carvings hanging around the restaurant, providing accents and a sense of the cultural flair. The left side wall of the entrance hosts a board covered with numerous listings, fliers, and bulletins. Turning to the right there is cooler with a display window, showing off a large collection of interesting bottles. Upon closer inspection the bottles are various drinks ranging from African Colas and Ginger-Beers to a plethora of various teas. You can almost become absorbed with reading all the various labels and trying to figure out what each bottle contains, but you won't have too long before Sav will intervene with a joke, a greeting, and a smile.

Sav will attempt to take your order, but you'll realize that you were so caught up in the drink selection you didn't even look at the menu. If you ask, he will describe for you the menu that ranges from a selection of bowls, platters, salads, and entrees that all incorporate the traditional West African tricks and foods. He will point to the large hanging menu on the wall and then leave you to decide so he can stir the various cuisines cooking in identical black pots running the length of the wall behind the counter. The complete menu can be found on the restaurants website.

​ I decided to sit at a booth where its window was covered with articles and newspapers clippings. Curiously scanning them, I realized that there were over a dozen of them written by various websites, newspapers, and magazines all about Sav, hits restaurant and his story. After reading one article, which turned out to be written by a food critic, I began to eat, or more so devour, my food. It was a wonderful symphony of flavors where each unique flavor came together to form the taste of the dish.

As a means of preventing myself from scarfing down my entire meal all at once, I paused to observe my surroundings once more. On the wall to my right, there was a very large, green poster with a drawing of a string tied around a thumb. The poster was apparently one supporting and encouraging people and other businesses to buy produce and meats from local farmers. Looking around some more I saw there were quite a few carved, wooden masks hanging on posts throughout the restaurant. I was in the middle of studying one, when my concentration was interupted by a server. Looking up I realized that the server was Sav himself. Thinking it odd for the owner to out talking to the customers like this, I chanced a quick glance around. I soon realized that my original observation was true, and that he was indeed the only one working out where the customers were. ​Looking back at him, he smiled and began asking me about my experience so far and if I needed anything. After answering his questions, I began to tell him about this project and ended by asking for an interview. He said he would be more than happy to answer any questions I had, he was just unsure of when we could have it due to him being busy with the restaurant. No sooner had the words escaped his lips, then a large lunch crowd began to pour in the front door. As he began to walk back to the counter he turned and asked me to call later and schedule a time with him. (I have called, but have been unsuccessful with scheduling an interview session.)Returning to my meal, I wolfed down the remainder of it, returned my dishes and tray, and then left feeling full and satisfied.​​

I would recommend eating at Sav's to anyone who is looking for a place where they feel at home while eating. The food is great, Sav is really nice, and the atmosphere feels like home, even if resembles a culture that isn't ours. Sav's Grill and West African Cuisine is a hidden gem in the city of Lexington, and I would recommend finding it for yourself.