Reviews Abyssinian

Awesome food, must visit if you love to do food experiment. At least my experience was awesome. planning to visit again. 👍👍👍

Definitely a must try!!! We took the opportunity to celebrate our 1st wedding anniversary here, Samy, Indra and Kishore, made sure we had the perfect one. From the table set up to the explanation of the cuisine to the service and taste of each and every dish was exquisite, warm and personal. I couldn’t have picked a better restaurant to celebrate our special day!!

I had been thinking about eating here for quite sometime. But trying out a place whose food I'd never heard of nor could pronounce, did seem a bit out there. Not that I didn't want to go, I did, but I figured if I do make a fool out of myself, I'd better have some company.

So, I finally got a chance to try out the fabled Ethiopian cuisine. Years had been spent making jokes about Ethiopian food, It was now time to try it.

The restaurant is an extension of Savya Rasa, another fine establishment. The place had been decorated with, which I can only assume as I have no knowledge in the matter, with traditional African arts and symbols. It really sets the mood running as you take a seat and browse through the menu.

The menu isn't very extensive like other restaurants but that is to be expected of a place that specialises in a particular cuisine. Upon asking the server, he recommended the buffet which would provide us with a variety of options to choose from and easier than picking one dish from the ala carte and hoping we've got it right.

The food was served in a huge plate which was meant to be shared by all the participants, as per the tradition. They started with the Mandassi, and then followed by Injera upon which all the dishes, whose names are on the menu but i cant remember, are served. The food is not a fusion and since it focusses on authenticity, no spices are used, which in my experience might be a deal breaker for some people. For desserts we had sweet sambosas and dumplings accompanied with a pot of salted black butter coffee which was to die for.

And for some reason, popcorn. No idea why.

Ambience - ****

Food - ****

Staff - ****

Abyssinia , Kp is one of a kind and only Ethopian restaurant India that not only depicts the culture in its decor but also in the food as well the hospitality. The decor consists of these loving lamp shades that portray their meal and dining stories and how they believe to sit together and eat and share their meals . Much like Indian culture they serve their food traditionally in a large platter where families can sit together and eat. The restaurant has tried their best to present the food in way where one can sit and eat from the same platter but start with feeding the family member the very first morsel. This encourages love and care amongst the family members as per their culture .
The decor consists of lamp shades , old musical instruments, coffee table and a typical dining set up to let u indulge into the culture. They start off with washing hands into a bowl to start the meal and then move forward with a welcome drink called "Tej" made with fermented rice. Moving forward we ate the starter called mandassi, with green coriander and parsley chutney, maincourse included an array of dishes and gravies with their staple bread called "injera". All the gravies put on the injera, we had a great time enjoying and relishing the gorgeous spread of curries and gravies . Not just that, they also had palate cleanser consisting of cottage cheese in case u wanna relish the taste more sincerely. Meal ended with Baklava and Sweet Sambosa. And the famous Ethiopian coffee, that was die for , served with spiced butter, salt and popcorn , By the time we were done. It was happy and tummy full !! If you are going in large groups order the full platter called Messob, unlimite platter or else go for Ala Carte menu. The meals cost 799, 999, 1199 approx

The ambience is just lovely,they had pics and artifacts of the place and the color combination of the walls is very well done.

So we started with a drink called "Tezz" which a rice wine and their traditional welcome drink.

Ethiopian cuisine is not only a style of food,but the way to eat.We ordered their "Messob" where the place all the injera in a big plate where injera is a ragi dosa which is fermented for 36 hours,and it has sour taste to it.

It is really interesting how the Ethiopian people eat their food.
After the injeras are served in the big platter they pour all the curries, vegetables,salads and all the other things on it.You are supposed to eat all these with the ragi dosa they provide you with.

You need atleast 5-6 people to finish it ! The food was absolutely delicious and lipsmacking and we loved each and every item that was served to us !

As our tummy was full,we then went for the desserts which were Sweet samosa and baklava.Both the desserts were really good .The samosa was crispy and not too sweet.

To end our meal we tried their Ethiopian coffee which was served with popcorn.
It is basically a black coffee served with popcorn,butter and salt.

The pricing is a bit on the higer side and the staff is very friendly and humble.Overall a great place to try out some lovely different food.

First Ethiopian restaurant in India n that too in “Apla Pune”😍😍😍

This new outlet started by the founders of “Savya Rasa”.... This unique place situated in KP.
We started with “Tezz”... It’s a rice wine and their traditional welcome drink ... We ordered their food platter "MESSOB"... N oh boy oh boy!! It’s delicious and it’s heavy ... You need atleast four people to finish that ... N interestingly that’s how Ethiopian people eat food ... Together in single plate ☺️☺️☺️

N talking about Coffee... You can't miss their coffee ceremony... Black coffee served with Popcorn , butter and salt 😋😋😋
Just loved it 😍😍😍

All in all I loved the place ... You get to learn a lot about Ethiopian culture ... N that’s the motto of this place ... They just not another food joint in the crowd... They wanted to create awareness and want to be a cultural bridge between India and Ethiopia ... So guys go visit .. It’s totally worth it 👍👍👍

Betam Conjo!!! True to the authentic experience, Abyssinian serves Ethiopian food like no other in the country! The flavours are real, the collection is generous and our server - Chandan(like all the staff there), was kind enough to guide us through the journey. A hint of the music, a taste of the culture, the over all experience was sealed with Ethiopian coffee... I am definitely going back!

We were here on Thursday lunch time, when place was not so crowded and there was no rush. restaurant care taker helped us with menu , yes it needs a guidance for how to read the menu and what to select.
I tried etheopian food for first time but my husband had it in US. He said the taste is same as he got in US and which is supposed to be authentic. It was really tasty , Spicy that any Indian person will surely like it.
About the food concept , many reviewers have already mentioned! .
Overall an unique experience :-)

I was invited to taste the Ethopian Cuisine. It was My first experience of Ethiopian food and I loved it. The Ethiopian Empire, which was historically known as Abyssinia and the restaurant is named after this. The food is what one would get in Ethiopia. As explained by the staff who were so friendly and they helped me what to order and what will be the process to start the food.Ambience

Intrigued by the idea of tasting authentic Ethiopian food my friend and I visited Abyssinian on a Wednesday afternoon. Not surprisingly we had the restaurant all to ourselves. The ambience of the restaurant is very pleasant and the tribal artifacts add to its vibe.

We ordered the vegetarian Abol messob, a tasting platter of 7 different items including an appetizer and a dessert which we polished off in no time. The portions of the other items of the platter however were quite large and despite our large appetites we were unable to finish them. In hindsight I believe ordering off the à la carte menu would have been a better option from both the price as well as quantity points of view. We also ordered the Yebeg Alicha, a lamb stew, which was cooked to perfection. The taste as such of all the dishes we ordered was not radically different from what we are used to and so you need not be too apprehensive about exploring this cuisine.

I would also like to add that the service was very quick and we had no complaints in that area.

Food Ordered:
1.Abol Messob (Veg.)
2.Yebeg Alicha

What a great, warm place with lovely food. We reached when it was 10minutes to closing and they yet gave us piping hot, delicious food and great service by Chandan.
Would highly recommend but make sure to come with a big appetite! :)

We wanted to try something different and this place didnt disappoint us. They are probably the only place serving the Ethiopian food in pune and they are serving it with keeping the Ethiopian culture alive. The ambience is just lovely, they have pics and artifacts of the place and the color combination of the walls is also well done. We started off with Mit Mita Soda, basically an lemonade with chilli powder, a different but a good drink. Adengere Shorba soup was good. Sambosa Lentil was samosa and it was really good. Injera is the bread which is made out of fermented raji and it was good. We had it with Yedinich Alicha and Misir Wat and both curries were good. They also serve thali which a group can share within a same thali. The pricing is also very moderate and the staff is very friendly. Overall a great place to try out some lovely different food.

Finally a place which offers a new cuisine. The entire experience of the ambience, serving and the food is quite close to what one would get in Ethiopia. The coffee with butter was a delight and so was their version of injira. The staff engaged in conversation and was knowledgeable of the Ethiopian culture.
This place is quite heavy on the pocket but definitely worth a visit.

Good ambience was alone worth the time. Tried Ethiopian cuisine for the first time and it was good and the portions were sufficient for 2 people. Will return again.

Lovely food! So nice to discover some yummy, different cuisine in Pune. Went with my husband and a bunch of friends... everyone enjoyed it. The service was great. Our server- Chandan, knew what he was recommending and had knowledge of the Ethiopian dishes which was a nice change to most restaurants around. Would 100% visit again. Would 100% recommend to people who are open to trying out new cuisines.

Exlxusive and authentic Ethipian food in Pune! Small place but the ambience is unique. The food is pure and with a blend of similar yet different spices.

A simple luncheon turned into a rather unexpected exotic Ethiopian foodscapade when we stumbled upon this quaint little restraunt that specialises in Ethiopian cuisine
Now, personally I have never got a chance to get acquainted to this cuisine and had reservations in giving it a try too, but like they say, " you'll never know until you've tried !" and believe me it was an absolute culinary delight.
I have added a whole new set of flavours,ingredients and dishes, to my food vocabulary and it feels great.
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In picture
Doro Wat and Injera bread with Timatim salad .
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Doro Wat is the National dish of Ethiopia and literally translates to chicken stew is an onion based thick stew made with Berbere spices( Ethiopian spice mixture which includes chile pepper, garlic, ginger, dried basil, Ethiopian cardamom, black and white pepper, fenugreek and rue, a bitter shrub) ,Nitter Kibbeh(Ethiopian Spiced Butter) served with hard boiled eggs.
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Injera bread is a staple in Ethiopia and is a sourdough flatbread made with ragi
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The Timatim salad was on the house and Iam thankful for the gesture ,it totally complemented the food and was really very fresh.
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Apart from the food that was Delish
The staff was comforting , understanding and supportive given that the cuisine is new for most of us
The decor was on point and oozed that feeling of an Ethiopian setting

Iam going back for more ,make sure you do too..... .

So I stumbled upon this place accidentally! And I’m so pleased about it. I had a reservation in Savya Rasa.. which is another great place, and I saw that a new joint has open just besides it.
I was very intrigued by its ambiance and went ahead and decided I want to eat here now!
This was my first time with Ethiopian cuisine so it was very refreshing. Getting to know the culture and the variety of food was just delightful.
We just had whatever the chef there suggested. Everything was finger licking good. (Also Ethiopian food has to be had with hands)
The Ingera, which is their traditional roti, is something that I’ll never forget. It complimented the exotic flavours of the mutton curry we had. Just balanced all the spicy flavours.

The traditional Kahwa was bang on! Dash it with a bit of salt and butter and you’re in for a surprise.

The desert was also very rich, quiet traditional and tasty.

Would highly recommend if you up for a ride of flavourful palate!

Abyssinian is an Ethiopian restaurant by Savya Rasa, at the same location (next to Starbucks, KP). Even I wondered why specifically 'Ethiopian Cuisine'? The owners were extremely fascinated by the cuisine (which is similar to South Indian Cuisine, their specialty), the culture and wanted to bring it to Pune for Punekars to experience. And Abyssinian boasts to be the one and only authentic Ethiopian Restaurant in India.

Ethiopia, a country in East Africa, is beautiful and very traditional. Very little influence of modern life except in big cities. They discovered and, even today, are the largest producers of coffee in the world! My kind of place, then! The cuisine is very simple, homely and is similar to South Indian Cuisine. I would say, it is like a combination of South Indian with European (Greek) influences, but still very unique and tasty. Best part is, it is not an acquired taste for us Indians. It's different, yes, but there is nothing unlikable about it,with no unfamiliar ingredients or flavours. So it is a must try, I would say, for everyone.

The best part about the cuisine is that 'Community' is very important, so food is served in a large platter for the whole family or group. The base is Injera, or large fluffy dosas made out of Ragi (But originally 'Teff', in Ethiopia). Then various delicious curries and stews are place over them and savoured.

BEVERAGES

Tej - A local rice wine served in every household in Ethiopia. It is sweet, a bit sour and mild. It's very pleasant and refreshing. Kind of similar to our 'Tadi' or 'Madi' but definitely milder and much more palatable. I enjoyed it. It is served in a special round bottom flask, reminding me of school chemistry days!

Adis Manhattan - A delicious cocktail, a cinnamony - fragrant twist to the whiskey cocktail! So good!

Sunny Day By The Beach (Mocktail) - My God! So refreshing. Fragrant with ginger, lemongrass and kaffir lime; some sabja seeds adding wonderful bite and texture! One of my most favourite mocktails ever! Perfect for summer afternoons!

APPETIZERS

Fir Fir - A wonderful spicy salad of fried Injera (ragi dosa) with vegetables, onions and garlic. Like a soft idly fry. There is even a chicken version.

Sambosa - Basically hot crispy samosas. They have a lentil version and a chicken mince version. Mild but tasty onion and herb filling. Really different and delicious.

Mendassi - A deep fried pakora of wheat and ajwain served with green chutney! Very Indian and very tasty!

MESSOB (Tasting Platter)

They have various sizes according to number of people. They even have a small thali for a single person. This is really what you have to experience here! We had the Tona (the middle one in terms of size) and it's more than good enough for 5-6 hungry people! Dessert and Ethiopian Coffee are included too.

We were served 12 curries and stews (5 non-veg and 7 veg) and loads of fluffy amazing Injeras (dosas).

My favourites were as follows -

Doro Wot - Chicken leg stew in a wonderful spicy caramelized onion thick gravy and boiled egg. Moderate spice but wonderfully caramelized and flavourful. A must try! It's the National dish of Ethiopia.

Doro Alicha - Again a chicken leg stew but with onion, turmeric and cumin. An amazing stew with a hint of oniony sweetness. Really mild and delicious!

Doro Tibs - Chicken fried in onions, peppers, garlic, chillies and rosemary with loads of olive oil (that European influence, I was talking about). It was so good, you could say, like a European Chicken Chilly Fry! Mildly spicy, but fragrant with herbs and olive oil!

Yeduba Wot - Pumpkin curry in the spicy onion gravy like Doro Wot! So delicious with the sweet pumpkin and the caramelised spicy onion gravy.

Yebeg Alicha - A lamb meat stew. The lamb was exceptionally tender and juicy and the curry was mildly spicy and thick. Though, not as good as the the chicken or veg version though.

The accompanying salad (similar to a Greek Salad) and the fried Chickpea curry (very similar to a thick Daal Fry) was amazing too. All the curries were a pleasure to scoop up with the injera! Perfect combination.

DESSERT

Fried Dumpling - Crispy and soaked in clarified butter, semolina and flour batter stuffed with something like gajar halwa and deep fried! Then topped with coffee honey syrup!

Ethiopian Baklava - A bit different to the Middle-Eastern Baklava. Crispy thin layers with nuts and coconut topped with honey. Quite a nice dessert!

ETHIOPIAN COFFEE

Coffee is extremely important in the Ethiopian culture. No surprise, considering, coffee was first discovered there! Refusing coffee in an Ethiopian household is equal to blasphemy! The way you drink coffee too is very different in Ethiopia. It is brewed in a pot over charcoal and not filtered. Served directly into small cups after letting it settle.

It is first had just like that, without any additions. Then you add a pinch of salt to the second cup, which, like magic just takes away the bitterness and leaves just the refreshing soothing taste behind. Then you add clarified butter to it! Making it so rich and buttery (similar to bulletproof coffee). It is one hell of an experience and I absolutely loved it. If you're used to lattes and Starbucks (basically, not "real" coffee) you will not like this, but for a coffee lover like me, it was incredible! Apparently, you have it with fresh crispy pop corn! Added bonus!!

VERDICT

Abyssinian is definitely a must visit restaurant! Ethiopian Cuisine is very interesting and tasty, and definitely not too far from our Indian palates. It simple, homely, soulful and heartwarming. The community platter adds a really cozy and a bonding experience. And the coffee at the end of the meal is the cherry on top.

Plus, the ambiance is just beautiful! Colours of the Ethiopian flag, dominated by yellow, some green and red gives it a very unique feel. The most impressive part is that it is decorated with artifacts, murals, musical instruments and lamp shades actually brought in from Ethiopia!

The Chefs too stayed in Ethiopia for an year and a half with a local historian and Chef to learn all about Ethiopia, their culture and food. So you're getting a pretty authentic experience, but with the luxurious setting of this restaurant and amazing knowledgeable service!

I actually wanted to have chettinad food at Savya Rasa since I was in the area, had read aba this restaurant but Abyssinian - an Ethiopian restaurant coexist with Savya Rasa so decided to give it a try ...
Mandasi : this starter is small flour balls deep fried with spicy chutney dip in olive oil ... the dip is amazing and u just can’t stop eating ...
They have many options of set meals and a la carte menu ... since I wanted to try this new cuisine decided to go for the smallest set menu ...
I am glad I tried this cuisine ... it’s almost similar to india except lesser spices and it’s all cooked in olive oil ...
I soooo wish MY loved one were here to try this cuisine ... highly recommended if u love trying different cuisines 😊😌

Went to Savya Rasa and saw this new place next to it. When asked, was told Abyssinian is a Ethiopian dining, though managed by the same people.

Never had Ethiopian food, so was excited to try something new, something different.

Decor of the restaurant is amazing. Being a art lover, loved all the paintings and other instruments.

Since, I love eating lots of meat so decided to go for the Thali that has max number of meat dishes. Was told, that it will take time 30-40 mins as they will prepare the fresh ones. Since, I knew I won’t be able to remember all the names of the dishes, hence clicked a pic of the menu 😊 (pic attached)

When they bought that big Thali (pic attached) with all the dishes, I was like - Wow! That looks amazing.

When I asked for the spoon, was told to eat by hands as is a standard practice in Ethiopia. 

Next to the Thali, those 3 are:
Ayib- Grated cottage cheese
Mit Mita Ayib - Grated cottage cheese with Mit Mita powder
Awaze - Mit Mita with Olive oil

Things to note/remember -
Injera - made of ragi.
Sweet Sambosa - gajar halwa fried in a puff pastry.

All the dishes were amazing. Best part was, they were not spicy. As for coffee, I simply loved it

Only thing I feel where some improvement is needed - in 2 out of 3 chicken dishes, chicken was hard and that makes it difficult to eat. Told this to the chef, who was present there

Overall:
Food - 4/5
Ambience - 4.5/5
Service - 4.5/5

Abyssinian is like a walk into the land of rich culture and tradition of Ethiopia! The decor and interior of this place is something worth admiring and knowing about! Leather lamps, ancient paintings and aesthetics, everything instantly teleports you there!

Food:
Sunny Day by the Beach:
Loaded with chia seeds and fresh mint, this mocktail was everything you need on a summer afternoon! So refreshing and truly amazing! 💖😍

Starters:
Mandassi :
These bread balls with fresh chutney were so addictive at I couldnt stop at one! They are a great option to snack on!

Chicken Sambosa :
Juicy minced chicken in piping hot samosas were truly a delight! This is a dish I wouldn't share with anyone!

Messob:
We tried the Tona Messob which had different elements, starting from Anjeera which is the Ragi bread used to eat each every element of food w, as well as the veggies, as the veggies were so good and balanced that I couldn't stop treating myself with more portions of it!

Desserts :
Sweet Sambosa :
Filled with sweet carrot filling, this dessert resembled gajar ka halwa and I loved the toned down sweetness it exhibited!

Ethiopian Baklava:
The Ethiopian version of Baklava was truly desirable and wasn't too heavy on the stomach which is the best thing!

Coffee :
The Ethiopian coffee tradition of drinking coffee with salt & butter while eating popcorn was my absolute favourite!

What comes to your mind when you hear the word Ethiopian cuisine? Strong, spicy and rich flavours? If these are the key words that come to your mind then you are absolutely right! Unlike other parts of Africa where meat is scarce and variety is limited , in Ethiopia you’ll find delicious curries and diverse almost everywhere you go.
Moving ahead, they have a very interesting concept of community meals in Ethiopia where all of them sit together and eat from the same plate. The first rule of thumb when eating the meals is to use your hands! Eating with your hands is a standard practice in Ethiopia. So don’t be afraid to dig in and eat with your hands and oh hey, only use your right hand to eat! And another custom includes feeding one another with their hands as an act of friendship and love. When eating injera with your friends and family, use your right hand to strip off a piece, wrap it around with meat or curry and then put it in your friend’s mouth. This is called gursha – the larger the gursha, the stronger the bond or the friendship.
So here is what I had at Abyssinian :
1.Doro Sambosa – Doro means chicken and Sambosa means samosa. So it is basically your mini chicken samosa served with green chutney. Delish stuff. A good option for all the non vegetarian folks.

2. Mandaasi – Mandassi is made from flour. These are deep fried dough balls served with green chutney. To be very honest it doesn’t have any flavour, it is just the chutney which gives the dish its character or else it is just dough balls. It somehow failed to impress me.

3. Tona Messob – Tona Messob is the community meal I mentioned in the introduction. There are different types of community meals on their menu. So this particular meal has Injera bread, doro alicha, fosolia, timatim salad, doro wot, yebeg bozena shiro.
(a) Injera Bread – is somewhat like your dosa but not exactly dosa.
(b) Doro Alicha – is chicken stew in turmeric sauce which isn’t very spicy and is extremely flavourful.
(c) Fosolia – is your green beans and carrot. A good option for all the vegetarians. This is simple yet delish.
(d)Timatim-  is a salad made from tomatoes, onion and capsicum.
(e) Doro Wot – Doro wot is a super spicy chicken gravy and is to be had with Injera bread.

4. Sweet Sambosa – This doesn’t really look like a samosa or taste like one. It rather looks like a spring roll. These rolls are stuffed with carrots. And i think this makes for a great dessert. Plain, simple and tasty.

5. Ethiopian Baklava – The baklava is just mind blowing. Just go ahead and order! And thank me later.

6. Ethiopian Coffee with popcorn – This is just a part of their tradition and served to every guest.

So overall I would recommend you to go and try out this place as it is something different and has a really unique concept. Also if you aren’t in a mood to try their community meals then you can try stuff from their Al Carte menu.
#jerlynfoodfanatic

As we walked in to this place we were mesmerized by the low ceiling with terracotta tiles, walls painted with Ethiopian colors and the wall decor of traditional Ethiopian art, instruments, mirrors and so on. And add some ethinic music to the mix, well, you're already transported to another place and time.

Enough said about the ambience, let me get to the food. We opted for Tona and some Tej to wash it all down. Tej which is actually a sort of honey mead was replaced with homemade rice wine and was served in a Berele. I wasn't too fussed about it being rice wine as the menu did mention that. This was accompanied by the first dish Mandassi - small ball shaped appetizers made of fermented flour. These were fluffy on the inside and crisp on the outside, and were served with a coriander, chilli dip.

Rest of our Tona (except coffee and desserts) came in a large platter with Injera bread at the bottom and a range of chicken, meat and vegetable stews on top of it.

Injera bread - while the original can be quite sour and is made with teff, the version we had was milder and more palatable and was made with ragi. While the grain was substituted, the preparation technique seems to be the same.

My favorites were Doro wat (Spicy chicken and egg stew), Misir wat (spicy lentils) and Yebeg Bozena Shiro (a melt in your mouth mutton stew made with chickpea flour) and my partner loved Doro Alicha (a milder chicken stew cooked in sweet onions and flavored with spices) and Fosolia (veggies prepared somewhat in the same style as Doro Alicha).

Coffee and Desserts - the whole thing felt like a ritual of sorts really! First came the hot desserts, coffee cups (a visual treat), spiced coffee butter, a bit of salt (yep!) while we waited for the pot of coffee to be brought. Our wait staff then explained the significance and preparation of the coffee ritual whilst serving it (no spoilers, I'll let you enjoy it for yourself). We were served two desserts, Sweet Sambosa (a rolled pastry stuffed with spiced and syrupy carrots) and Ethiopian Baklava (similar to Kuru Baklava with a dusting of nuts and syrup).

Overall a fabulous experience, I'd obviously visit Addis Ababa when I want an absolutely true and authentic experience but bringing so much of that culture and experience home is a feat by itself - so yes, kudos Abyssinian team for that. A special mention to your staff too - they were amazing, knowledgeable and frequently checked on us. Sam also stepped in from the next door (Savya Rasa) to listen to my stories as always :)... thank you for a wonderful time.

Interesting food preparation. The dish we eat Doro Tibs was was very tasty . The main course Ethiopian Bread and Chicken preparation was awesome.
Staff is courteous and helped us to understand the dishes . Nice ambience

I love experiencing varied cuisines and thus had to check out the only specialty Ethiopian restaurant in town, Abyssian.
Coming from the umbrella of Savya Rasa, expectations were set high and Abyssian delivered.
They have options of unlimited set meals as well as a ala carte menu to choose from.
I opted for the Tona platter that serves an array of dishes from starters to dessert, unlimited at ₹999+.
Here's what it served.
*Mandassi - These were deep fried Dumplings served with Abi - a dip of coriander, parsley, chilli. Somewhat similar to our bhajjis and just as delicious!
*Timatim Salad - A fresh Salad with tomatoes, peppers, onions, greens and a lemony dressing. Loved it.
*Misir Wot - A thick red lentil curry.
*Yedinich Alicha - This was a potato preparation that I absolutely loved.
*Fosolia - A carrot and bean preparation.
*Shiro - Thick stew made with chickpea & dried pea flour.
*Inguday - A delicious mushroom stir fry. Can be had as a dish in it's own right.
*Ayib - Cottage cheese scramble
*Mit mita Ayib - Spiced cottage cheese scramble
*Injera - All of the curries are served atop Injera - a soft crepe like flatbread made of ragi.
*Sweet Dumplings
*Sweet Sambosa - Phyllo pastry stuffed with gajar halwa and fried.
*Ethiopian Coffee - Black coffee served alongside butter and salt
Overall, I could spot similarities with Indian cuisine giving a familiar yet somewhat different flavor profile.
If you're the kind who likes to experiment and experience food different from the usual stuff, you should definitely pay Abyssian a visit.

The Ethiopian Empire is known as Abyssinia. It encompasses the geographical states of Ethiopia and Eritrea. Not just an area but a very deep rooted culture with remarkable layers and One of the lesser explored avenues in India especially when it comes to the Culinary space. Abyssinian, comes from the house of Savya Rasa . First launched in Chennai and then relaunched in Pune, which makes this one of the 2 restaurants serving Ethiopian Cuisine in the country (other brand being in Juhu, Mumbai) #LuckyPunekars

The service is excellent. Attention to detail impeccable. MGMT is same as Savya Rasa.

The cuisine is like an exploration. Drop by only with an open mind.

No matter what, try the Ethiopian coffee. It's a revelation.

I still need to eat more here to qualify for a proper opinion about food. The initial experience is very good.

(Careful the food can be spicy)

Superb! Yummy food. Surely will visit This restaurant again if I happen to come again to Pune. Superb decors of the restaurant. Coffee and Ethiopian Alchohol drink was very tasty

Abyssinian is a newly opened restaurant which boasts about the Ethiopian culture.They take pride in presenting the way Ethiopian people have food and gather for community gatherings over food and coffee. Lets get into the details of what that have for us. Abyssinian is located next to the award winning restaurant Savya Rasa in Koregoan Park.To be more precise it is in the lane just next to Starbucks.As the name says the specialize in Ethiopian cuisine .They have done some very good background work to get us a very similar experience of the cultural celebration over meals in Ethiopia.

One of the most challenging jobs in such new restaurants is of the staff members who need to explain the customers everything on offer. And I must compliment the way the staff member attending us talked the way through our entire meal. Pricing is on a little higher side considering the fact that this is a fine dining restaurant.  The lowest option comes at Rs 799 +taxes per person. The cuisine resembles with that of southern part of India but the taste is distinct. Overall an excellent option for those who want to experience new cuisines. Once you go there, it won’t be the last visit for sure!

#ExperienceInShort

Abyssinian, recently opened Ethiopian Speciality Restaurant in town. Outstanding place to try out an unhackneyed cuisine. Food looks similar to what we generally have in southern part of our country but has got completely distinct flavours. Go and enjoy the experience with open mind, it has got everything to enthrall, enlighten and entertain your senses, all at the same time !!!
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#101OnEthiopianFoodAndCulture

Like love, food knows no boundaries; And while the boundaries divide, food connects.

Its we who are infested with the blight of a cultural divide, so much so that we see everything with the multifilters of Caste, Race, Religion, Ethinicity and Country. Since this seed of fragmentation is sowed so deep and long, our perceptions have grown to be stronger than our innate characteristic of being born a neophiliac.

You must be wondering why such a serious pretext to what was an extremely enjoyable food soiree. Its because this experience is something which decimates the barriers of perception that we have built in our minds when it comes to the 'African Cuisine'.

India & Africa are like Tweedledee and Tweedledum when it comes to the diversity and cultural vividity. Having said that, Africa has a rich food heritage that even goes centuries beyond our own coutry. However, their food suffers the same fate of being stereotyped globally as the meat heavy cuisine, just like our food being limitedly humdrummed across, only to the extent of 'Butter Chicken/ Tikka Masala'. Irony is that the people who stick these labels do not even have the rudimentary know-how of neither the culture, nor the geography or the food habits.

Ethiopia, formerly known as the Kingdom of Abyssinia is like the gateway to Sub Saharan Africa for rest of the world. This primeval nation is the cradle of civilization in African Continent. All credit to this age old legacy, their food practices also dates back to ancient times. Ethiopian food is creating waves across the globe with its varied flavours and impeccable balance of Meat, Veggies and Cereals; It is a bouquet which has something myriad for everyone, be it Vegetarians, Vegans or the Carnivorous lot. What makes an Ethiopian Meal special is the customs, traditions and values attached to it. Some really interesting things about Ethiopian Food and their Culinary Traditions:

🍷 T'ej: A 'so called' national drink of Ethiopia. Serving this to the guests is like extending the honour of being a 'privileged one'. T'ej means Honey Wine, and its first story of existence was documented nearly 2000 years back. Its traditionally made of Buckthorn however the one served at Abbysinian is made of fermented Rice & Honey. It tastes like Sula's late harvest and has even sweeter tinge to it. Very addictive and thoroughly enjoyable.

✔ Gursha: This is a gesture when a person will carefully place a morsel of food directly into your mouth. It is a mark of respect and it is courteous to accept it.

✔ Community Dining: Traditional meals are served on a platter meant for community dinining so that two or more people can share the food. An example closer to what we have generally come across is the Bohri Thaal. This is said to bring the harmony and a feeling of loyalty amongst the community.

✔ It is polite to eat with your right hand as the left is considered unclean.

✔ Ethiopians generally abstain from meats on Wednesday, Friday and during the Lent period.

✔ Meats like Pork and Shellfish are prohibited in Ethiopian Cuisine

✔ A coffee ceremony is compulsory after the community dining (Details below)

Now that you have taken the pain of reading through the 101 on Ethiopian Food and the values/ traditions tied to it, you may as well read about my rendezvous with Ethiopian Food at Abyssinian too, only if you have the energy left to read more 😉:

🔺 The interiors are symbolic of the Ethiopian Colours, Culture and Artifacts. The warm colors at the entrance sends you the welcoming vibes even before you set your foot in. Everything from the paintings to the musical instruments to the lamp shades that adorns the walls and the roof, every single thing that has made its way to Abyssinian, is procured from Ethiopia. The tables and the stools are set for a community eating in. line with the way of life there.

🍻 Abyssinian doesn't only serve Ethiopian food, they also mix some of the meanest Ethiopian Cocktails. I had:

'Addis Manhattan' (Rye with Cinnamon, Flavoured Wine, Lemon Rind & Bitters) - This for me is surely the BEST Whiskey Cocktail in town, what legendary mixing. #Kickass

'The Spring Collins' (The Classic Gin & Eldelflower Mix) - A little sweet on the palate and the nose but as refreshing a Cocktails as they come. #Splendid

'Have You Ever Tried It' (Sugarcane infused Vodka with Mixers) - Sugarcane Mojito, yes that's what it is. Bartender handled this very deftly and didn't let it get too sweet despite Sugarcane Juice. #Innovative

Food:

🔺 There are three unlimited tasting platters called Messob on the menu, only difference is in the number of dishes served. You can choose the Messob according to your appetite and the number of fellow diners.

🔺 The Messob has Injera (A sponge dosa kind of Pan Cake, generally made of Teff, an Ethiopian Cereal but at Abyssinian it is made of Ragi as import of Teff is banned) panned out like a natural base, atop which are arranged a smattering of spicy stews, cooked vegetables and salads. Although the presentation appears similar to that of an Indian thali, the flavors and style is uniquely Ethiopian.

🔺 Mandassi: The appetizer; fried semolina and flour savory balls served with Abi, the spicy green dip having flavours of mint, green chilli and Carrom Seeds. Apt start to infuse a hulk size appetite in you.

🔺 Doro (Chicken) Shorba: A chicken clear soup with generous use of mashed Chickpea. #WarmedTheCocklesOfMyHeart

🔺 Doro Wot: A thick and spicy Chicken Curry served with hard boiled egg, Ethiopia's celebratory dish. Looks so Indian in appearance that you would mistake it for another Chicken Masala but use of Berbere (Ethiopian Spice Blend) gives a distinct spice kick. #Lipsmacking

🔺 Timatim Salad (Tomato salad with crunchy Bell Peppers): A refreshing break between well spiced stews, had subtle flavours of herbed olive oil dressing. #Nice

🔺 Misir Beray Wot: Minced Lamb Kheema slow cooked with Red Masoor Dal. Star dish of the meal for me. Another hot dish generously treated with the Berbere Spice Mix. #Amazeballs

🔺 Doro Alich'a & Yedinich Alich'a: Chicken & Potota, both versions were the mildly spiced stews. Simplicity of these preparations will win you over. #SimplySuperb

🔺 Doro Tibs (Stir fried Chicken Strips with Bell Peppers): This one is totally a different preparation from the whole lot, Chicken Strips stir fried in Nitter Kibeh (Ethiopian Spiced Clarified Butter) and the mixed with a spice blend called Mitmita. Have it as a stew, as a starter or as the whole meal in a bowl, its that good. #TibTop oops #TipTop I mean

🔺 Yebeg Bozena Shiro: Bite sized lamb chunks cooked to 'melt in mouth' consistency in spicy chickpea stew. Loved the silky smooth stew soaked in injera. #Fantafuckinbulous

The lunch ended with and amazing sweet treat; Sweet Sambusa (Phyllo Rolls stuffed with Sweet Carrot Mash) and Sweet Dumplings (Mandassi Balls dipped in Honey and Caramel). But can an Ethiopian Meal really end without the ritual of having a Coffee Ceremony, No it can't !!!

☕ Coffee Ceremony: Ethiopian homage to coffee is sometimes ornate, and always beautifully ceremonial. Ethiopian Coffee Beans (Considered one of the finest across) roasted and hand pounded, slowly stirred in a traditional clay serving pot called 'Jebena'. The coffee is accompanied by Popcorn as a side, the spiced butter and the salt that needs to be added to the coffee. As the tradition goes, we tasted the first sip of coffee as is, unadulterated and unimaginably wonderful. Second sip, a little bit of spiced butter was added and the flavours only got better. Third sip and onwards added a pinch of salt, curiosity peaked and so did the taste, sipped it & voila, it was magical. It was such an amazing finale to what was a thoroughly enjoyable and enlightening food experience.

I can vouch for the authenticity of the flavours as I have eaten this lovely Ethiopian Food at several places in Addis Ababa many a times, call it perks of spending good two years traveling across length and breadth of Africa for work.

I urge all of you food lovers out there to go & try this experience, it is fascinating, indeed.

Cheers... Ciao !!!