New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar

Of the three Ethiopian restaurants I've tried in San Francisco, (the others being Massawa and Axim Cafe on Haight) New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar is simply the best in regards to cuisine. Almost every time I've eaten here the food has been outstanding ... more

Of the three Ethiopian restaurants I've tried in San Francisco, (the others being Massawa and Axim Cafe on Haight) New Eritrea Restaurant & Bar is simply the best in regards to cuisine. Almost every time I've eaten here the food has been outstanding, and I've eaten at New Eritrea several times. This is the kind of place that you've tempted to order too much from, with all the tempting dishes available. As a Vegan, I've never had trouble finding enough on the menu to order from, and everything is great. Especially good is the spicy mushroom entree, which is a meal in itself. Let the staff help you design your dinner, to avoid going overboard, as the portions are generous and the entrees usually come with several side dishes, all served on a huge platter. The thing to watch out for in general at Ethiopian restaurants is the spongy, springy Injra bread that is served on the side and on the dinner plates, under the entrees. Injra is delicious and perfect for picking up mounds of food or mopping up mouth-watering sauces, but it's also EXTREMELY filling. Your best bet is to sample a few things first and dive into the Injra after. The only drawback for New Eritrea is the slow service. The staff always has the right attitude, though: every time I've eaten there, they are uniformly friendly and helpful. However, for some reason, even on light days, the entrees come at an unwisely laid-back pace. The best attitude to have is to sit back with your dinner companion, relax, enjoy a few Ethiopian beers and spend the minutes in good conversation between dishes. If you want to get in and out at a reasonable time, ask for the bill well in advance. You'll find the attire and the attitude at New Eritrea to be casual . This isn't the kind of four-star restaurant where the waiter attends to your every need, this place is about the food. You might want to avoid the bar dining room when the television on the wall opposite the bar is blaring for no apparent reason. The back room adjacent to the kitchen has a sky light and is usually a good environment for lunch on a sunny day. And don't miss the selection of Ethiopian beers, for a nice change of pace. less

This restaurant was my introduction to Ethiopian cuisine and I couldn't have started at a better place. You should eat here like at a good chinese place...several people, order a variety and get it family style. This comes on a large (and I do mean ... more

This restaurant was my introduction to Ethiopian cuisine and I couldn't have started at a better place. You should eat here like at a good chinese place...several people, order a variety and get it family style. This comes on a large (and I do mean LARGE) platter with salad and accompaning sauces. You are served injera bread and scoop up the various items using your fingers. Usually pretty spicy, you can order items medium or mild, for the tender of stomach. They serve beef, chicken, lamb and a variety of vegitable dishes that can be ordered a la carte or several served family style. They have a full bar and have several African beers. The kitchen is the smallest I have ever seen so if they are busy, you can expect a bit of a wait for your food...but it is worth it. My son (just shy of six) and I eat here (or take it home) several times a month. As a matter of fact, it is my son's first choice in restaurants. less