The House of Ethiopian Coffee Delights

4 Irwin Avenue
Phone: 416-923-5438

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Posted by Tanja
November 13, 2005

Currently 2.00/5
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Rating: 2.0/5 (1 vote cast)

I drink coffee and I drink it black. Yes, because I enjoy coffee, not what you get if you put a shot of coffee in a 20oz cup of milk, sugar, whip cream and flavourings.

Right then... so with that established, let me also make a point of saying that its really hard to find a good cup of coffee! 2nd cup has one or two flavourful brews out of their lot (usually), Starbucks is pretty much bitter gas-tank dribble (there's a reason they have so many flavour shots), and Tim Hortons... well, usually if you're having it, you don't have many other options (ie. on the road to Napanee).

Last night, I happened to stop into the Ethiopian House (4 Irwin St) and tried the house specialty Ethiopian coffee...
Sweet heaven in a miniature cup.

The coffee here takes about 35 minutes to prepare. I was there for a birthday dinner, so with plenty of time to spare, I figured I'd give it a try.

Having had Ethiopian coffee before (and not being notably impressed) I didn't expect that much... general goodness and definite freshness. The hosts here had a different idea.

A little while after ordering the pot, the waitress came around with a wooden tray of roasting coffee beans, shaking them around us at the table so that we could take in the aroma. After going the length of the table, she left, leaving only the smokey air wafting around us behind.

20 or so minutes later she returned with a wooden pot and tray with tiny coffee cups for all and even the hesitant folks gave it a try. The slickest move came from a couple bitter-fearful friends who added a spoonful of sugar into the wee cup and subsequently ended up with a cup of caramel-y sweetness (bad move!).

The coffee was strong and yet sweet enough with almost a berryish twist to it. Really, really good... and satisfying too. I refilled a couple times and felt like I'd had a whole big cupful.

While I wouldn't have gone back for the food here (little expensive, even on the so-so veggie side) I would definitely return time and time again to sit with this coffee and just relax.

The freshly roasted and brewed pot costs $12 and serves about 6 or so bean-lovers.

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Ethiopian House - 4 Irwin St., just West off Yonge, 2 blocks North of Wellesley

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I like my sugar with coffee and cream.

Posted by: Fen at November 13, 2005 9:34 AM

I am totally one of those people that drink Starbucks coffee+flavour shot+tonnes of milk+ any sprinking available..
I made the mistake of trying to do something like that to this coffee..bad move!!

The coffee is definitly best left on it's own.

Posted by: Georgia at November 13, 2005 12:49 PM

I like my coffee like I like my men...

Posted by: matthew at November 13, 2005 10:56 PM

I happen to luv Starbucks with cream, that "bitterness" is usually a deep roast bean... ahhh the French Roast is the best!Their caffe lattes cannot be beat anywhere. 2nd cup is just BAD coffee, it tastes like watered down burntness...yuck. I must confess and admit that I've been getting seduced by Tim's coffee with that hint of tobaccy aftertaste (dble cream of course). Now a fine espresso with a hint of sugar is darn good too. Now, I'm curious to try this Ethipion coffee - thanks for the info - great shot by the way!

Posted by: Mare at November 13, 2005 11:37 PM

I don't understand those who put no sugar or minimal sugar in espresso. Espresso is made for sugar, as this brings out the sweeter, caramel tones in the coffee. There is a saying about how you should take your espresso - dark as night, hot as hell and sweet as love.

Posted by: morecowbell

at November 14, 2005 12:58 PM

What I love about Ethiopian coffee is the way that it engages your senses and invites you to slow down and enjoy the experience. The time it takes to roast the beans, the way the aroma is appreciated and shared, the much-anticipated rich, bitter taste, and the presentation of it all make it something special. It certainly doesn't compare to the phenomenon of take-out coffee most of us are used to.

Posted by: Camille at November 14, 2005 5:54 PM

Other good, non-35 minute coffee:

Espresso Rose (?) on Yonge, south of college on the east side makes a great cup.

Epicure on Queen West

Posted by: x the x at November 24, 2005 9:48 AM

okay, this is going on my 'must try' list.

Posted by: mainja at November 28, 2005 4:23 PM

There's another good ethiopian place on Bloor just east of Dovercourt. (I forget the name, but it's got great low prices-I've not had the coffee there but it's worth a try)

I have had the coffee at Addis Ababba on Queen St. W. The service there is warm but slow, the food is spicy and delicious but it costs a little more than you'd expect.

Posted by: B W at February 16, 2008 1:20 PM