Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Addis Ababa Ethiopia

275 seats

Fine dining

This project is one near and dear to my heart. The hospitality and culture of the Habesha people is rich and vibrant. Opening this project gave me a crash course in the the nuances of doing business in east Africa. A experience I am so grateful for until this day.

The Best Coffee in the World

I have sipped coffee in every continent of the world. From the rich caramel panella flavored Tinto of Columbia to the grabbing a cafe con conetto in the small coffee shops of Rome, but NEVER have I experienced the culinary miracle that is Ethipian Coffee. The one pictured here was a part of my morning ritual. Served with Rue (also known as tena adam) the fern-like herb possesses an unusual aroma, and is said to remove any bitterness from your cup.

The Ceremony

The Ethiopian coffee service is like no other. Its is one of the cornerstone of the social fabric of the culture. It’s a warm and complex practice that truly demands reverence. Pictured you see the various roasts that are typically pan roasted then hand ground by a mortar and pestle then simmered in vessel called a Jebena. The grounds are brewed three times: the first round of coffee is called awel in Tigrinya, the second kale'i and the third baraka ('to be blessed'). In Amharic the terms are abol(አቦል), the second tona (ቶና) and the third baraka (በረካ).[