ST. LOUIS — After Ono Ikanone came across a Washington Avenue listing, he knew it was fate for his Nigerian restaurant. It was the same location where he and his wife had met several years ago.
Ikanone owns Levels of Nigerian Cuisine, located at 1405 Washington Avenue, with his wife Justice Johnson. The grand opening was July 1. He moved to St. Louis in 2004 and graduated from University of Missouri — St. Louis (UMSL) and Missouri S&T with a degree in engineering.
As a Nigerian native, Ikanone wanted to expose St. Louis to Nigerian culture, including some traditional dishes that he cooked at a young age such as jollof rice and fufu.
Nigerian cuisine is tomato-based and involves meat. However, Ikanone said the menu at his restaurant offers vegetarian options too.
A common dish is jollof rice, which originates from West Africa with countries having their own spin, according to Ikanone. At Levels, jollof is served with chicken, beef or goat meat.
Fufu is another traditional dish, which is pounded yam and looks similar to mashed potatoes. It is normally served with a thick soup for dipping. Customers at Levels can dip them with a vegetable soup medley served with beef.
Customers additionally can enjoy Zobo, a Nigerian-inspired hibiscus cocktail mixed with Vodka, tequila or can be served as a mocktail.
“I really appreciate adventurous diners, people that have never tried Nigerian food before and just want to venture out and try something new,” Ikanone said.
A group of ladies visiting St. Louis for the first time for a work convention researched places to eat and came across Levels. They told Spectrum News that they loved the food.
Executive chef Ruka said her inspiration for cooking came from her mom and her Nigerian heritage. She is looking forward to making Nigerian cuisine enjoyable for everyone.
“We can make it palatable to your taste buds. It doesn’t have to be spicy,” she said.
While Ikanone has an engineering degree, his passion lies in entertainment and hospitality.
From cooking to showcasing Nigerian music and culture to those who were interested, Ikanone said he has always been a natural entertainer. And with researching best Nigerian restaurants wherever he and Justice would travel to, Ikanone said he wanted a place in St. Louis where people could have a great time.
Ikanone said he receives positive comments when stops by a customer’s table.
“We’ve had a lot of great reception from St. Louis so far,” he said. “We’re coming over here with something a little bit different, so I like people that have that mind set and are seeing that this is something different for St. Louis. Let’s go support, let’s go see it.”
The name, Levels of Nigerian Cuisine, plays on the building’s multiple floors and where Ikanone plans to provide people with different experiences. The term “levels” also is a slang in Nigerian meaning, “something better, something newer, something fresh,” Ikanone said.
The first floor is the main restaurant area that features Nigerian architecture, artwork and “Instagram-able” moments, the second floor will be an art gallery showcasing local and Nigerian art pieces. The two other floors are in development.
“My mom brought a lot of really cool Nigerian sculptures and different pieces from Nigeria,” Ikanone said. “With St. Louis artists, I’m just providing another avenue for them to shine.”
He is requesting submissions of African-inspired artwork.
Levels of Nigerian Cuisine is open Wednesday through Saturday from 4-9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 9 p.m. to midnight with a limited menu.
For the restaurant's full menu, click here.