Asmara Restaurant — Restaurant in Oakland

May you be vegetarian, vegan or omnivore, the ingredients shine, the flavors dance on your taste buds and sincerely you will want to keep on trying their many dishes and find the ones that nourish you again and again. The acid test for any Ethiopian restaurant is the quality and spices balance of the Kifto, their national version of steak tartare so to speak. How to show case the flavor of lean beef prepared raw while being infused with warm ghee and a blend of spices both aromatic and heat giving spices. It is actually a masterful tour de force. It can't be too buttery which would overcome the taste of the beef, nor can it be too dry which would defeat its expected luxurious texture. The fact that is raw means that there is no hiding behind sauces nor the cooking process. The quality of the ingredients will jump at you at first sight. My first time at Asmara was not an accident. Craving for some authentic Ethiopian food, I asked a lady who was talking to another woman also from Addis Ababa. At the time, I was living in the Emeryville/Oakland/Berkeley area. As in any ethnic food establishment, it is always a great confirmation when you can see a majority of 'nationals' enjoying their own motherland dishes. This lady unknowingly gave me the most long lasting gift. This was over 23 years ago and I am still as fulfilled in both the ambiance, the service, the welcome and personable attention, the pace, and most notably The FOOD.

I have tried various Ethiopian and Eritrean restaurants as they popped up both in EB and SF... However Asmara has been and continue to be my comfort food destination for all of the above mentioned. I have lived in the Bay Area since 1980. There are very few establishments in Marin, SF, and East Bay, who have kept and sustained over 20+ years, the same standards from the first time I have savored their food. Asmara is one of the few. In great part due to the attentive owners who are focused not just on us the patrons, the food coming out of the kitchen as well. The chef is also Ethiopian. Not much turn over in staff is also to their compliment. And now their sons are also involved adding to the homeyness of what they have created together. This most affable couple is there every day, truly caring that we, as their guests, are enjoying our experience. Even though I moved to SF 20 years ago, I actually drive across at least once a week and call at the level of Treasure Island, knowing that by the time I would get to Asmara, my order would be waiting. I will even confessed that often it was consumed ravenously by half, prior to getting home to the ever surprise and chuckle of my husband. Never have my orders been messed up. When I am out of town, Asmara is my first check in. You know when you are traveling and are eating out quite often discovering new places, once home that there is that : "which is the familiar flavors i have missed the most?" Asmara's Kitchen. Period.

We have a running joke with my now 18 year old son: he owes his healthy constitution and health to Asmara's Kitfo: my one big craving while pregnant, prepared during that time with a bit less heat. The flavors and habits are passed on: he loves Asmara and of course Kitfo! He is out of town currently so I sent him this photo. Too big of a tease: "Mom! Now I crave Asmara. Not Fair!"

Over the year, they have expanded to add to the right of the main entrance a modern bar and dining area, offering full bar and 3 large TV screens with sports on. They designed it well, the sounds of one room does not disrupt the other. So now we have the option of the traditional Ethiopian art and folklore in a dimmed light environment with music playing at a lovely level which does not overcome your conversation at the table (another plus), or the bar area which I chose last night. Yes you can eat at the bar watching the Warriors game or at tables in a contemporary decor. Often a trap for restaurants, this extension has not affected at all the level of quality of the overall experience in service, NOR the FOOD....

Asmara was the second restaurant that I tried in Oakland after Enssaro. It is located on Telegraph Ave so parking is almost impossible. I took and risk and parked in the Walgreens lot across the street (definitely not advisable in the day, but I've got away many times during late evening hours). At around 9:30 pm it seemed pretty full so it is definitely popular. I got what I generally get at any new Ethiopian restaurant that I try namely the Meat sampler ($14.95) to-go, which as per their menu is a combination of Ziggni/ Key Watt (strips of marinated beef cooked in berbere sauce & spices), Doro Watt (Spicy tender chicken simmered in berbere sauce & spices served with a boiled egg) and Ye-Beg Alicha (Cubes of lamb stewed with curry, onions, garlic & spices). After ordering it was a excruciating 250 minute wait before I got my meal (they got a lot of call-in orders so either call in the order or be prepared to wait at least 20 minutes).

I got a one decent sized container which meant that the injera was placed on top of the meat dishes meaning that by the time I got home it would absorb all the moisture for the stews and become nice baby food. I should have asked for it to be packed separately but the person taking my order was so rushed that it slipped my mind. Note to self - order online next time and request that they injera be packed separately.

Anyway, lets come to the food. As expected half the injera had to be thrown away but the other half was pretty good. The meat sampler had a chicken, beef and lamb dish so I was able to sample a wide variety of their food. The good news is that the stews tasted different i.e. the same base was not simply reused as I've found in other Ethiopian restaurants in San Jose. The not so good news is that the taste was all very mild. You would really have to concentrate to pick up the flavors. Overall this was just better than average.

Price-wise it was in exactly in-line with what you will pay at other Ethiopian restaurants in Oakland for the meat sampler. I personally liked the taste of the dishes at Enssaro better that than what I got here. Looking at the overall package of quality, price and service I would have to go with...

First time trying Eritrean/ Ethiopian food and really had a great experience here. Came right around early dinner and found the restaurant not too packed. Service was friendly and welcoming, and the facilities were nice. Tried what may have been most traditional- honey wine, spiced tea. We also ate the meat combo (which was great since we weren't exactly sure what we wanted) and the beef tar tar which impressed us a lot! Overall, it was really fun to just get in there and scarf it all down. I found the lamb and tar tar to be exceptional. The beef had an excellent "stew" savory taste to its finished and I only found it a bit challenging to enjoy the chicken with injera since the chicken was on the bone (which I like, but not experienced enough to take advantage of it). We ate so much food and the price/ quality was wonderful. Great eating experience and looking...