Restaurants
Abyssinia
Abyssinia, nestled at the corner of Bloor and Christie, is the latest addition to Bloor Street's selection of Ethiopian restaurants. It occupies two stories - downstairs is a deli counter for takeout options or a quick lunch; upstairs is an intimate, incense-scented dining room.
A tiny toy car wedged under the stairs is the first hint that Abyssinia is a family restaurant. The second clue is the large flat-screen television broadcasting cartoons to the crowd of patrons gathered for dinner. Oh, and the kids running around.
A smiling server seats us on the upper floor. The decor is warm shades of red and Ethiopian art abounds. Televisions are mounted on opposing walls - one streaming a series of Ethiopian music videos, the other playing the aforementioned cartoons. We are surrounded by an eclectic crowd: a possible first date sits beside us, a family chats loudly around a large table and a group of male friends is gathered at the bar.
The large menu boasts a selection of classic dishes and is peppered with images representing Ethiopian culture. It includes a lexicon of their meaning, which is a nice touch. While the prices are steeper than what we're used to at comparable restaurants, they are still very reasonable.
We skip the starters and go straight for the entrées, ordering the Abyssinia platter ($12.99 - photo above) and the Chacha tibs ($12.99). The food comes quickly and is presented ceremoniously. The ornate Abyssinia platter is placed on our table as the server returns to get the tibs which we can hear sizzling all the way from downstairs. The piping hot lamb is then scooped onto our giant dish. "Now all I need from you are empty plates," jokes our server.
The Abyssinia platter comes in two sizes, and the one person portion we've chosen is more than enough for two people. A classic sampling tray, it has a little bit of everything and comes with a generous helping of injera. My favourite is the split pea purée, which is deliciously spicy with hints of cardamom and garlic. Although the kitfo is a slightly dry, the vegetables are fresh and perfectly cooked. The Chacha tibs are fantastic - marinated lamb with a smoky barbecue taste, sautéed with crispy green peppers.
In lieu of dessert, we opt for the Ethiopian coffee ($12.99). The beans are roasted in front of our eyes, and a spectacular coffee carafe is brought out with tiny mugs and a disc of burning incense. As we sip the sweet, syrupy beverage, owner Sirak Ayele comes to chat with us.
He tells us the recently opened restaurant is dedicated to serving everything fresh. "When you order, we start cooking," he says, adding that frozen or canned vegetables are not included in any of the menu items. Ayele tells us every dish is completely customizable and that Italian, Indian or Canadian fare is also available upon request.
Abyssinia opens at 10 a.m. daily and closes at midnight on Monday and Tuesday, 2 a.m. on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday and at 3 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. There is live entertainment on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and the venue offers catering services and party reservations, the latter including free limo service.
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But $12.99 for coffee? Is that a typo, or is Ethopian coffee generally that steep in price?
@Amanda - it's a bit steep, yeah, but from my (somewhat limited) experience it seems pretty on-par with the other restaurants in the area. It really is worth it, though. The ceremony is fun and the coffee delicious - something different to do once in a while.
:P The M&B lady rushes over any time a customer tries to pick up the forks laid out on the table, apparently only serving as newb-bait.
How many people got the coffee? Many Ethiopian places won't do the coffee ceremony for anything less than 8 people.