May 25, 2025 #1 Local News, Forum, Information and Event Source for Venice Beach, California.

Nigerian Chef Tolu “Eros” Erogbogbo Brings Ilé Bistro to Culver City

Chef Tolu “Eros” Erogbogbo brings his popular underground Nigerian pop-up to Citizen Public Market in Culver City with a new casual restaurant concept, Ilé Bistro

By Dolores Quintana

ILÉ Bistro, the elevated casual Nigerian restaurant has opened at Citizen Public Market in Culver City. The restaurant is an offshoot of Chef Tolu Eros’ immersive fine dining tasting room, ILÉ LA. It is Chef Eros’ first brick-and-mortar space which will serve Nigerian dishes from his childhood and is a celebration of West African cuisine and culture with a California influence.

Chef Eros said, via an emailed statement, “For as long as I can remember, it’s been a dream of mine to share a piece of my culture with a global audience through food. Opening ILÉ Bistro at Citizen Public Market is a dream come true. At my new location, we shine a spotlight on the delicious and aromatic flavors I grew up with in Nigeria from our signature Jollof Rice and Suya to our Pepper Soup.

“I’m looking forward to welcoming Angelenos and visitors from afar for a taste of West African cuisine and culture.”

The Bistro has two main menus: the Rice Bowl Menu which includes a choice of a base, either curried rice or Jollof rice, a protein, like grilled steak, roasted chicken, oyster mushrooms, charred cauliflower, or blackened snapper, a topping like traditional slaw, roasted carrots or green beans, black-eyed peas, fried plantains, or a fried egg, and sauces like zobo vinaigrette, suya chili oil or Nigerian salad cream. The second is the Soup Bowl menu which has your choice of soup, a mild or spicy pepper soup with aromatic broth, a selection of protein that is identical to the Rice Bowl menu and toppings like Mei noodles, simmered yam, bean sprouts, crispy onions, basil, baby corn or a soft boiled egg. 

Rick Moses, co-owner of Citizen Public Market enthused, “We could not be more excited to welcome ILÉ Bistro to the Citizen Public Market family. Chef Eros’ incredible talent and celebration of flavor give diners a new reason to visit and try something new.” 

Jeff Appel, co-owner of Citizen Public Market said, “The next chapter of dining is now, and Chef Eros is leading the way. We are thrilled to have ILÉ Bistro join our vibrant culinary community.”

If you would like to know more about the cuisine, Chef Eros explained more about what some of the dishes are saying, “A staple in many West African countries, Jollof, which he dubs, “Unity Rice,” combines three distinct styles found in Nigeria, Ghana, and Senegal. Stewed in a flavorful Mother Sauce (a combination of tomatoes, onion, bell pepper, and habanero.) The chef blends three distinct styles to create a delicious and uniquely complex dish that has smokiness from spices, sweetness from plantains, and both crispy and fluffy textures from the Basmati rice. 

Pepper Soup is a Nigerian comfort dish and cultural mainstay traditionally passed from generation to generation. Inspired by his grandmother, Chef’s version of Pepper Soup features an aromatic and complex broth beaming with West African ingredients that deliver a punch of f flavor unlike any other. Sourced from Nigeria, featured spices and herbs include calabash, nutmeg, alligator peppers, and Uziza seeds.

The desserts are milky and powerfully sweet Palm Wine popsicles, created from the sap of palm trees, Lemongrass Cake and Puff Puff, a popular West African fried dough. 

Ingredients will be sourced from Africa, specifically the Umilo and Gbafilo spices of Nigeria, Chef Eros’ home country for the authenticity of the dishes and flavors. The restaurant’s operating hours are from 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. 

Related Posts

 Venice Shorts: Chaos Derails Venice Neighborhood Council Vote on Homeless Encampment Crackdown

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Motion Calling for Removal of Encampments & Rv’s Could Not Be Heard as Two Vnc Members Walk Out in Protest...

Bay Cities Deli Temporarily Closed After Health Violations

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Eleven violation points were attributed to the presence of rodents and insects Bay Cities Italian Deli & Bakery, a popular...

Resilient Palisades Named Nonprofit of the Year by Sen. Ben Allen

May 23, 2025

May 23, 2025

Volunteer-led group honored for climate resilience work and wildfire recovery efforts Resilient Palisades, a grassroots environmental organization based in Pacific...

Marina del Rey to Celebrate 60th Anniversary with Free Culture Jam Event

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Family-friendly festival to feature music, art, games, and historic harbor tours The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors,...

Governor Announces Early Reopening of Pacific Coast Highway After Wildfire Closures

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Major Stretch of PCH Reopens May 23 After Months of Wildfire-Related Closures Governor Gavin Newsom announced Wednesday that State Route...

Summer at Annenberg Beach House to Include Sunset Picnics, Yoga Classes and the Annual Cardboard Yacht Regatta

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

The Beach House, located on the former Marion Davies estate, remains free and open to the public The Annenberg Community...

10th Annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street Comes to Santa Monica This Weekend

May 22, 2025

May 22, 2025

Annual board game-inspired food event set for Sunday, May 25 The 10th annual MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street will...

Muscle Beach International Classic Set for Memorial Day

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Annual bodybuilding and physique competition returns May 26 The iconic Muscle Beach will once again host bodybuilders and fitness competitors...

Venice Shorts: Washington Square Pizza Now Close to Completion

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

Formerly the Cheese & Olive, the Latest Food Offering Completes the Neighborhood By Nick Antonicello  Washington Square Pizza is finally...

Santa Monica Airport to Host Air Taxi Flights for VIPs and Fans During LA28

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The aircraft will also support emergency services and security operations While Santa Monica will no longer serve as a competition...

Getty Villa to Reopen Next Month with Mycenaean Civilization Exhibit

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The Villa will operate on a limited schedule of Fridays through Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., with access...

$2.2M Awarded to LA County for Wildfire Prevention Ahead of 2025 Fire Season

May 21, 2025

May 21, 2025

The grants mark the first disbursement of funds from Proposition 4, a bond measure that provides millions for wildfire resilience...

(Video) Classic Cars and Hot Rods Showcased During Santa Monica Pier’s Locals Night

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

It Was The Last Locals Night of the Season It Was The Last Locals Night of the Season. pic.twitter.com/mUo6hMJpPZ —...

Last Thursdays Concert Series Returning to Venice Boardwalk

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

Shows will take place by the pergolas on the north end of the boardwalk at Dudley Ave., facing the beach...

Pedestrian Struck by Sports Car Near Marina del Rey, CHP Investigating: REPORT

May 20, 2025

May 20, 2025

The pedestrian was reported down in the roadway, and medical crews were immediately dispatched A pedestrian was struck by a...