muzita abyssinian bistro

if you’re new to ethiopian cuisine, don’t waste time looking for a fork. this is finger food.well first time i read this, i was bit intrigued about the place! looking at high ratings and tons of great reviews online i thought let’s give it a try. yes this award winning place “muzita abyssinian bistro” in san diego is famous for serving traditional ethiopian cuisine. they follow philosophy of eating by hands rather than using forks and knifes and this makes me nostalgic thinking of my home land india! talking about food it sounds and looks quite similar to indian cuisine. we had an appetizer called "sambusas"(resonates and looks like samosas). it is assorted plate of 6 crispy pastries each stuffed with 3 different fillings like chicken, lamb, & spinach. i personally like the chicken one a lot! for the main course we ordered the authentic "shiro kantisha". it appeared on one big piece of soft injera bread spread on a big plate. ethiopians cook this fermented flat bread from a grain called teff. it is topped with button mushrooms, freshly chopped greens in the middle and zucchini & tomato serrano and lentil sauce on the side. truly excitingflavorsall over the plate. this was chef chosen dish and we loved it to bits. lentil sauce is not much spicy but good amalgamation of flavors. while san diego is far from the kingdom of ethiopian, this whole dining experience with certainly differentflavorsthan usual gives us feeling of being in some other territory. even though the ingredients quite resemble to indian cuisine theflavorsare certainly unique.

very flavorful menu items that are pretty unique. if you like indian food then you will appreciate theflavorsof ethiopian food. the sabusas are huge and packed with flavor (think samosas with packed flavorful fillings). the entrees are huge and you can choose to have family style or individual servings. the place is cozy and very busy. reservations are recommended since walk-ins may not get a seat depending on days. separate vegetarian menu makes this place ideal for vegetarians.

great food, awesome service. this was the first time i have ever had ethiopian food and i loved it. the food had some unfamiliarflavorsbut none of them were offensive. a couple of the dishes (you get a main and a side), reminded me of indian food. which i love.

the bread like stuff, i can't remember what it's called, was really neat. spongy and wheat free totally entertaining to eat.

the server was amazingly helpful and patient.

i would heartily recommend this place.

worth a babysitter. date night here we come. we ordered the combination and loved every savory bite. meat was perfectly spiced, firm but melted in the mouth withflavorswe couldn't make at home. the bread was spongy and fresh and complimented every bite. server was helpful ordering what for us was a new menu. she was also knowledgeable on beer pairings. this meal was worthy of setting up a babysitter and a great setting for date night.

perfectly sublime!. the lighting is perfect! the owner and his staff are all very friendly. you can tell they love what the do! if you have never tried ethiopian food, this is the place to go. they will lead you thru a wonderful experience. it is clear they want their patrons to leave having had a memorable meal!

the good is fabulous! i loved the kilma beggie (lamb stew). the beet salad was awesome!!! (i still recall theflavorsand will go back just for that:). the side dishes - hamli (spinach & greens) and timtimo were nice as is the small salad served in the middle of the communal (family style) service plate. just awesome!!!!

you'll find ethiopian bottled beers you don't often find in san diego. as well as beer from tahiti. the wine is reasonably priced. they do not have a liquor license but have created cocktails using soli. (i can't comment on them as i had beer but they looked good, too.)

an experience you will not soon forget!!!