The Collegian

Issue date: 9/5/07 Section: Detour

Media Credit: www.asmararestaurant.com

If you're like most Saint Mary's undergrads, chances are you haven't had the pleasure of dining at a place like Asmara Restauarant.

Located at 5020 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland, this place serves Eritrean and Ethiopian cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere with quick service and a friendly staff. Besides the excellent food offered, in portions big enough to skip the next day's breakfast, there is also plenty of decor to provide entertainment during the short wait. Traditional woven rugs and runners hang from the ceiling while a series of paintings tell a story about the history of the people. Decorative fences offer seclusion from the entrance area and separate some tables from others, making it ideal for dates, but plenty of casual groups dine there as well.

For a night out, two people can share a meal for about $20. It's better to order a single dish; it comes on a large plate to be eaten with injera. It's not a good idea to eat this light bread too quickly or on its own, because it swells up in one's stomach. The best way to go is to order from the main entrees since they come with a fresh salad, seasonal vegetables, and of course injera bread.

The ziggni dish, which is strips of marinated beef cooked in berbere sauce and spices, is good and spicy but better when cooled off so as not to shock the mouth before tasting it. Also good is the tebsy, which when not spicy is better eaten with the salad, but spice is a great way to go when eating this food.

The drinks are as notable as the food. Ethiopian beer is supposed to be good, but Asmara offers a selection of non-alcoholic drinks besides the usual Coke and juice. Their specialties are the Asmara Comfort and the Asmara Delight; the Comfort is a good drink but is similar to a smoothie, so the Delight, a juice with banana and honey, is better as it is less-filling.

Asmara also offers various teas for after the meal. There is a normal selection, and then there is the cinnamon and clove tea, which is strong on the clove and allows one time to relax from the meal before leaving.

As for parking, it's not difficult to find some nearby. Though not in a dangerous area, it's always better to park someplace that will be well-lit after dinner, especially for those who choose to hang out at some bars afterward, which is not a bad idea for those over 21.

Some might need another incentive to take the trip to Oakland besides a great restaurant and visiting local bars. This can be found at nearby 5239 Telegraph Avenue, where one can buy ingredients to recreate a meal. However, it is important to keep in mind that not all shops are open 24 hours like Safeway.

Asmara Restaurant is the perfect way to get out of the Lamorinda comfort zone and enjoy a quality Bay Area experience.

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