Adventures in Dining!
By OtownEater
I am always excited when I find restaurants that stray away from my usual dining experiences. For example, earlier this month a friend of mine invited me to Café Colucci to use a Groupon she bought for an authentic Ethiopian breakfast. “Ethiopian breakfast?” I thought skeptically, but I never turn down a chance to try a new restaurant, so I gladly accepted the invitation. What a delicious change from the usual pancake and eggs benedict breakfasts I’m used to. Five hungry ladies shared one platter which included fluffy scrambled eggs, an omelette stuffed with sautéed greens, minced lean beef, and two types of Foule (Ethiopian chickpea or fava bean stew). All this food sat beside a generous pile of an imported Ethiopian grain called Kinche, a steamed cracked barley (Seriously, no homefries needed!). We also enjoyed fresh brewed coffee, and some of their flaxseed frappes. And don’t think your meal comes with a fork and knife. In the traditional manner, we enjoyed scooping all our food up by hand using the Teff Injera, or native bread. We left full and satisfied, and I can’t wait for the next trip to Café Colucci.
Another restaurant that recently came as a surprise was Encuentro Café & Wine Bar. Being an avid meat lover, I was not so excited about trying an all vegetarian restaurant, considering that the prices were a bit high. However, Encuentro has a fun, hip, Jack London ambiance, a decent wine selection, and food that can shock and satisfy any devout carnivore. We started with some small bites, including Stuffed prunes with Redwood Hill Farms goat cheese, and walnut “honey”, as well as the deviled eggs. Both dishes were interesting and bursting with flavor. Next we were wowed by the Smokey chipotle Caesar salad with smoked goat cheddar and walnut sprinkled cheese. We also added the sea vegetable caviar to the salad, just because we couldn’t resist something that sounded so regal! We ended our meal with the daily Socca, a gluten-free chickpea flat bread topped with a variety of seasonal toppings. The fare at Encuentro is inventive and yummy, and a nice change of pace from the usual dinner out. The restaurant is small, so save Encuentro for an intimate dinner for two or a night out with an old friend.
Finally, I was really pleased when I stumbled upon Miliki West African Restaurant. We literally did not know what to order when we sat down, but the friendly restaurant owner walked us through the menu making suggestions and ordered us a meal fit for a queen! The food is extremely authentic, and the flavors were tremendous, each dish more interesting than the next. I’ve never had more succulent chicken, which was accompanied beautifully with plantains, beans and rice. We also enjoyed fish sautéed in a delicious sauce, which we ate with a big ball of dough that you break off and use to scoop up the food. One dish goes a long way, so you don’t need to over order, saving a new dish to try for the next trip.
When getting adventurous with your dining experience, never hesitate to ask the staff for recommendations. Don’t be afraid to try everything and anything, and if you’re really brave, just have them bring out something delicious for you to eat. It is always nice to stray from the usual and broaden your culinary experience; you’ll be shocked how often you find your next regular dining spot.
Summary
1) Café Colucci
6427 Telegraph Ave
Oakland, CA 94609
Hours: Mon-Sun 8 am – 10 pm
Average Entrée Price: Lunch under $10, Dinner under $15
Expected Wait: 0-15 min. (weekends could get busy)
2) Encuentro Café & Wine Bar
2 2nd St
Oakland, CA 94607
Hours: Tue-Thu 5:30 pm – 10 pm, Fri-Sat 5:30 pm – 11 pm
Average Entrée Price: Small Bites $6, Small Plates $10
Expected Wait: 0-30 min.
3) Miliki
3725 Macarthur Blvd
Oakland, CA 94619
Hours: Tue-Wed 4 pm – 9 pm, Thu 12:30 pm – 9 pm, Fri-Sat 12:30 pm – 10 pm, Sun 1 pm – 9 pm
Average Entrée Price: $15 (Dishes are large portions)
Expected Wait: 0