Great food and drink experience: Lalibela Ethiopian restaurant

Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

 We have always liked the fragrant and full-bodied Ethiopian coffee. We even tried Ethiopian cuisine over a decade ago. And as we always want to expose the girls to different cuisines, we went to Lalibela in Danforth to let them try Ethiopian cuisine.

We arrived to an incense smoke-scented spot with African art strewn on the walls. It was cozy and service was friendly. But, if you did not know what you wanted, you might be hard-pressed to get a recommendation. We just got the platter specials so that we can try their specialties. Turns out that the Vegetarian platter and the Lalibela Special was quite similar.

Lalibela Special @Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

The Vegetarian platter and Lalibela Special both had beet, cabbage, lentils, chickpeas, collard greens and split peas. The only difference was that the Special had meat stews of chicken, lamb and ground beef. These were served on top of a big platter of injera (sourdough Ethiopian flatbread, similar to a crepe).

Vegetarian Platter @Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

We also added an order of Beef Tibs (which are beef cubes sautéed in onion and tomato), also served on a platter of injera.

Beef Tibs @Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

We ate with our hands, using the injera to pick up the bites of meat and veggies. They were all very tasty! DD#2, who is not very fond of spicy food, actually enjoyed the meal! She loved the Tibs--and so did we! They do have a kids menu just in case… The meat were all cooked well and quite delicious. Despite both orders mostly having the veggies, we ended up quite full.

Ethiopian coffee in jebena @Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

Of course, as is tradition (or so I heard), after a big meal, there is the Coffee Ceremony. So we ordered this as well. The server started by showing us the beans she was roasting—allowing us to smell the aroma of the beans on the pan. After a short while, we got a small jar of coffee (jebena, clay coffee pot used to brew coffee) along with small cups called si’ni in a tray with incense and a sugar bowl. They also provided some popcorn for snacks.

Popcorn snack with Coffee Ceremony @Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

The ceremony was nice but the coffee was absolutely amazing. I had 3 of the small cups while Grandma had 5! Even the girls couldn’t resist the beautiful aroma and took a few sips of the beautiful coffee.

Coffee Ceremony @Lalibela Restaurant Ethiopian Cuisine

It was a nice experience and the food was good. It was a bit pricey for a mostly veggie offering, IMHO. Still, if we are ever in the area again, I will not hesitate to come back. Even if it is just to have coffee!

A Gem in Aurora: dining at Bijoy’s

Bijoy's restaurant, Aurora

An event took us to Aurora and as hubby owed me a date, we decided to skip fastfood and try out Bijoy’s Restaurant. It was located in a beautifully renovated heritage house built in 1868. While we had no reservations, they were able to seat us in this cozy place which quickly filled up for early dinner.

As we were quite full from lunch that day, we decided to go straight to the entrees and skip some very enticing appetizers (maybe next time!). Hubby had Scallops in Fennel sauce while I, the carnivore, had the Angus Striploin. Both were served with seasonal veggies and choice of risotto, potatoes or rice pilaf. I got risotto while hubby got rice.

The steak was beautifully cooked and was seasoned-enough for me. Hubby took a bite and found it wanting of more flavour (I had refused the freshly-ground pepper). There was a nice, roasted garlic and I loved that it went well with my steak. The risotto was quite nice as well.

Angus Striploin @Bijoy's restaurant, Aurora

Hubby’s scallops, which filled up only a third of the plate and will definitely not fill me up, was also perfectly cooked. He generously shared one of the three scallops with me and it was buttery, melt in your mouth. Hubby absolutely loved the sauce, but am not too fond of fennel. Still, it was delicious.

Scallops in fennel sauce @Bijoy's restaurant, Aurora

We did have room for some dessert so we tried their Mango Raspberry Semifreddo. It was the perfect dessert to cap our meal. Mango was smooth and velvety with bursts of raspberries. It was absolutely delightful and one of the best desserts we’ve had in a while. Am actually contemplating trying to make this at home!

Mango Raspberry Semifreddo @Bijoy's restaurant, Aurora

Service was great and the wait time was actually not bad. I recommend this amazing gem in the heart of Aurora. I truly wish they were nearer where we live and we would be regulars!

El Salvadoran cuisine: Pupuseria Latinos in Kitchener

Pupuseria Latino in Kitchener

We were at Kitchener on a Sunday, not a Farmer’s Market day. We decided to check out some El Salvadoran cuisine and ate at Pupuseria Latinos.

At this unassuming restaurant from a converted house, we were greeted by friendly and fast service over a background of a soccer game match on TV in Spanish.

Pupuseria Latino in Kitchener

We have never tried pupusas before so we initially ordered 3. While they have veggies and beans, we ordered the chicharron (pork) and chicharron with cheese, of course!

pupusas @Pupuseria Latino 

They were soooo good we ordered 3 more! The warm traditional Salvadoran dish is a thick corn tortilla with a savoury filling. The side coleslaw was a perfect complement.

Hubby got a beef burrito which was quite good as well!

beef burrito @Pupuseria Latino 

At the end of the meal (not sure if this is ok with Salvadoran culture), we had to try the Mexican hot chocolate. So yummy with just the hint of cinnamon.

Mexican hot chocolate @Pupuseria Latino 

The prices were very reasonable and we will definitely be back the next time we are in Kitchener—farmer’s market open or not!