Despite the subzero temperatures outside, the soft opening of Teranga had the warmth of a family gathering. The new restaurant helmed by renowned Senegalese chef Pierre Thiam is an attempt to put a unique spin on Pan-African food in Harlem.

The restaurant sits on the first floor of The Africa Center. Once known as the Museum for African Art, it reopened last year in Harlem with a broader cultural and political mission to create connections between the U.S. and Africa. Artwork from Nigerian artist Victor Ekpuk graces the walls of the new space that's reminiscent of nsibidi and uli symbols, telling the story of the Center's connection to Harlem and New York City as a whole.