Fun evening by lenalouise

lenalouise — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 17:14:39 +0000

Review by lenalouise

Rating: 3.00
Tags:
I went to this place when it was the Ethiopian New Year or some similar sort of celebration so there was a private party downstairs, all the waitresses were wearing traditional dress and there were two dancers performing throughout the evening.

It made it a very special night since we also hadn't had ethiopian food before and didn't know it could be so delicious! The home brewed honey mead, Abyssinian Tej should definitely be sampled if you are into beer. It's very good value for money here.

by gilka

gilka — Sun, 15 Jul 2007 19:15:47 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
very authentic experience! this place is located inside a community centre- you would never just walk in without knowing it is there... you get a special ethupian bread ( abit bitter) and on top of that many tapas style dishes, some are very spicy. The food is good and interesting.
Best when you feel you want to try something new...

by TrustedBot

TrustedBot — Thu, 08 Feb 2007 18:20:11 +0000

Review by TrustedBot

Rating: 0.00
Tags:
Tobia is another name for Ethiopia, and the restaurant above the Ethiopian Community Centre off the Finchley Road brings the best of traditional, home-cooked Ethiopian cuisine to London.

The menu served at Tobia reflects the long history and cultural diversity of the country. Some foods, however, tie everyone and everything together, and one of these is the ´Injera´, a pancake shaped bread which is at the base of most of the dishes. Following the Ethiopian philosophy that people should ´eat together and die together´, dishes are designed for sharing and are served on a round platter from which diners help themselves using the Injera instead of cutlery.

The country´s dominant Ethiopian Coptic Church observes fast periods during which a strictly vegan diet should be followed, and therefore the menu at Tobia is predominantly vegan on Wednesdays (the day Christ was given up) and Fridays (the day of the crucifixion), although some fish dishes are served too - Sea bass, Trout or Eth. Sushi(Raw Tuna well Seasoned)would be served alternatively. But neither meat nor dairy products would be served during these days. During the rest of the week a wider choice of dishes are available including favourites such as Kitfo (raw steak tartar), Difo Tibs (half a leg of lamb, roasted, marinated and covered in banana leaf), and Assa Kitfo (Ethiopian sushi). Reflecting the semitic influences in Ethiopian culture, most dishes follow kosher principles.

To complement the meal, Tobia serve a short drinks list, which includes the speciality ´Abyssinian Tej´, a home-brewed honey mead.

Tobia also offers the traditional coffee ceremony (coffee originated in Ethiopia), an experience including superstitions which have become part of a daily routine. The ceremony, which lasts around 30 minutes, includes roasting the beans in front of the participants and burning frankincense to eliminate bad spirits peacefully.

Chef´s Speciality Dish:

1. DIFO TIBIS(1/2 Leg of lamb marinated and covered with banana leaf - slow roast)

2. GOURAMYELE. Strips of Beef and Ox-Tongue accompanied by a variety of spiced Cottage Cheese.

3. ASSA KITFO. Ethiopian Sushi - Cubed Raw Tuna, well seasoned with corriander, pepper and clarified oil.

4. THE ENJERA. The pancake shaped bread is made of Pure Teff, which is gluten free, sugar free and there is 106mlg of iron/100grm of Teff.

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