Ethiopian Crosses the Border -- Enssaro

I adore Ethiopian food. The first time I tried it, I was living in Washington, DC (a city with a large Ethiopian/Eritrean population), and I was instantly hooked on the unique spices and presentation, luscious honey wine and the fun & sensual experience of eating with your hands.

It was almost a year ago now that C finally agreed to give this cuisine a try, and his reaction was the same as when he ate his first banh mi -- "Why is this my first time eating this?!?" Since then, despite craving Ethiopian a couple of times a month, we don't ever seem to make it, just because it has always meant a miserable drive into Berkeley.

Last night was Date Night, however, and I just HAD to have Ethiopian. Nothing else sounded nearly as good, but I was getting grumpy just thinking about the drive. Then I remembered hearing about Enssaro, a new restaurant on Grand Avenue in the Grand/Lake district, which is just about stumbling distance from our house. Off we went.

Turns out, Enssaro is some of the best Ethiopian we've ever eaten. C's Kitfo ($8.95) was deliciously buttery with the exquisite build-up of heat that typifies this culture's food. My Yebeg Tibs ($8.95) was made with well-trimmed lamb, lots of onion and peppers, and a hint of lingering cardamom.We also shared an order of Ata Kilt ($6.95), which is a wonderful way to take the heat down a notch. Enssaro's version is loaded with cabbage, carrot and potato, lightly sweetened, lightly savory. Delicious.

We washed everything down with two bottles of Ethiopian beer -- light for C and dark for me -- which surprised us with their complexity and, well, perfect pairing with the food.

Total damage, including tax and tip? $48, making me a pretty cheap date!

Tags: Food, Food and Drink, Restaurant Review, Ethiopian, Oakland, San Francisco

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Comments

[Gluten-Free By The Bay]

How did I not hear about a new Ethiopian joint in Oakland? How exciting. Thanks for sharing the news! Ethiopian food might be my #1 favorite cuisine. I can't eat injera as in U.S. restaurants there's almost always wheat added to the teff - But this post reminded me that I just bought some teff flour so I can make my own at home, without gluten.

[Sean]

Oh man, I love Ethiopian food, but sadly my other half does not so much. Likewise a friend of ours who says it looks like dog food. Philistine! And anyway, I'd eat dog food if it tasted like that...

[mariam]

i'm going to have to give enssaro a try. so far new eritrea in the sunset district in sf is the best eritrean/ethiopian i've had. their okra is wooonderful.

[shelly]

Had dinner at Ensarro's the other night on your recommendation. It was lovely! Thanks for the write-up!

[Michael Poompan]

hey guys my roommate is ethiopian, and we have been looking for a good restaurant (it will be my first time eating in one) can anyone recommend a place in the berkeley area. Email me at michaelinnapa@hotmail.com

michael

[M]

can you please post phone number and address?