“Think slow cooking, stews, sautés and dishes loaded with enticing, deep flavours. Think Ethiopian on Northbourne,” writes dining reviewer WENDY JOHNSON.
Our tummies thank us in winter months for indulging in hot, comforting, flavoursome dishes that make us warm and toasty.
Think slow cooking, stews, sautés and dishes loaded with enticing, deep flavours.
Ethiopian on Northbourne in Civic gave us our fix, with this family-run establishment dishing up a menu featuring authentic dishes and rich, earthy, spicy flavours.
These flavours are good for the soul and transport diners to a place far away. Ethiopian on Northbourne had been open for around eight months for dinner on our visit, and we were told plans were in place to open a café next door for breakfast and lunch.
Ethiopian cuisine is characterised by earthy, spicy, tart and pungent flavors, often achieved using a signature spice blend called Berbere.
Waking up our tastebuds were sensational samosas with beautifully seasoned beef mince encased in piping hot and crispy pastry formed into triangles (two pieces, $10).
Heartier and heart-warming selections included a Tibs dish with tender and juicy beef eye fillet sauteed with garlic, onion and chilli and complemented with fresh coriander ($38 and options are for mild or hot).
The Lamb Alicia from the Wot section of the menu ($24), was a thick stew celebrating the intriguing mixture of secret spices that honour Ethiopian cuisine. The dish was pale to the eye and, while interesting, not our fave.
Our veggie fix was met with the Duba Wot. This pumpkin stew ($22) featured that famous Berbere, blending chili peppers, garlic, ginger and other spices. It forms the distinctive taste so well known in many Ethiopian dishes.
On the strong recommendation of staff, we ordered the Injera, which we hadn’t tried before. Fermented overnight, this slightly spongy sourdough flatbread is light and fluffy and highly popular for a reason. It’s served as the base for many Ethiopian dishes.
For freshness we ordered the Key Sir, a colourful beetroot salad ($14), enlivened with fresh herbs, mint and a tangy dressing.
Great news is that 90 per cent of Ethiopian on Northbourne’s menu is gluten free, dairy free and nut free.
We didn’t indulge, but desserts but the pistachio baklava ($11) and cinnamon cake ($11) sounded wonderful.
The wine list includes local drops – always nice to see – such as the Long Rail Gully Pinot Gris ($14/glass and $65/bottle) and, on the red side, a Pankhurst Sangiovese ($13/glass and $63/bottle). Other regional wines include options from Brindabella Hills and Clonakilla Hilltops. Our selection – a Pankhurst Sangiovese Rose – married well with the dishes we ordered (NSW Wine Awards 2023 and $14/glass and $64/bottle).
We arrived impromptu on a Wednesday night and snapped up the last table (lucky). Next time we would book to secure a spot.
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