From: Biniam Tekle (biniamt@dehai.org)
Date: Tue Mar 09 2010 - 21:15:06 EST
http://www.examiner.com/x-39821-Oakland-Restaurant-Bars-Examiner~y2010m3d9-Asmara-offers-taste-of-authentic-Ethiopian-and-Eritrean-fare-in-North-Oakland?cid=channel-rss-Bars_and_Clubs&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=ping.fm
Asmara offers taste of authentic Ethiopian and Eritrean fare in North
Oakland
March 9, 4:49 PMOakland Restaurant Bars ExaminerIrfan Dama
Asmara appears to be one of Oakland's best kept secrets. Tucked away in the
North Oakland and Temescal district, Asmara offers authentic and delicious
Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine in warm and cozy surroundings. Open for
dinner every night, and for lunch and dinner on the weekends, Asmara offers
you an enjoyable Ethiopian dining experience at very reasonable prices.
Asmara sports a very rustic yet charming decor. The art on the walls suggest
the life and times of a bygone Ethiopian era. The tables on the sides of the
restaurant are separated by an attractive wicker partition, offering you a
cozy sense of privacy. The lighting, the decor and the atmosphere makes
Asmara an appropriate destination for a romantic date. However, to enjoy the
true Ethiopian dining experience, you are advised to eat the food family
style, out of the same platter, without any silverware. You might want to
make it date destination after a certain level of familiarity has been
established.
Dining in Ethiopia is characterized by sharing food from a common plate.
These signify the bonds of loyalty, family, and friendship. The meal is
served on a large platter, draped with the crepe-like injera bread. The
selection of foods are decoratively arranged around the center dish. Diners
simply tear off a piece of injera, and use it to scoop up the into their
mouths. It's a real fun experience but it could get messy.
Ethiopian food is colorful, varied, flavorful and ranges from mildly to
fiery spicy. A lot of the dishes are prepared with *berebere, *a combination
of powdered chilies and spices. This spice is used in many dishes, so
consult your serving staff when ordering dishes, especially if your heat
threshold is a bit on the lower side.
Ethiopians are known for their spicy stews, known as *Watts*. Asmara
features the *Doro Watt*, a fiery hot chicken stew, as their specialty. The
other striking dish is the *Ye-beg Alicha*; cubes of lamb cooked with curry
and spices. This is a milder dish than the fiery watts, and the long cooking
and flavorful spices take away the gamey taste of the lamb. Not to be missed
is the *Gored Gored*; tender cubes of tenderloin, served rare in a butter
sauce. The dish is hot and spicy, without taking away from the delicate
flavors of the butter dip it is served in.
Vegetarians are never at a loss in at Asmara. Ethiopian restaurants are the
chosen by most vegetarians in the west because of their varied vegetarian
selections. The Ethiopian orthodox christians prescribe Wednesdays and
Fridays as fasting days, as well as the entire Lenten season. This has lead
to the development of several vegetarian dishes, that are delicious and most
satisfying.
The highlight of Asmara's vegetarian selection is the *Shiro*; roasted
ground peas in a berebere sauce. The vegetarian combination is highly
recommended. It offers a taste of three of the most popular dishes,
*Temtmo/Yemissir
Watt *(red lentil stew in berebere sauce), *Kik Alicha* (yellow lentils in a
mild sauce) and *Yeh-goman Alicha* (mustard greens in Asmara's special blend
of spices).
When in Asmara, do not miss out on their home made *Tej Wine*. This beverage
is an Ethiopian tradition made by fermenting honey. This mead like elixir is
prepared in house and is better than anything you get in a bottle. Coffee
lovers will not be disappointed with Asmara's coffee. It is rich, dark and
very flavorful.
Whether you are an Ethiopian food aficionado, and just looking to discover a
new and unique cuisine, Asmara in Oakland is sure to deliver a phenomenal
yet authentic dining experience.
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