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Categories: Ethiopian, African
Neighborhood: University HeightsOur Second Annual Mom is Cooking on Christmas Eve!
We are open 5-9pm on Christmas Eve. Reservations are strongly suggested 619-546-7900.
Mon-Thu. 5:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Fri. 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sat. 3:00 p.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Sun. 3:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Que va a saber una Mexicana de comida Ethiope!, exacto! = NADA!
Es la 2da vez que vengo a este lugar y es super rico! La lentejas son maravillosas! y los camarones kilwa que cosa!!!! claro que siempre soy el agua fiestas pidiendo la comida "mild" por lo gallina que soy! pero las dos veces han traido la comida no tan picosa para mi, con un poco de picante para mis cuates que si comen spicy!....(si, ya se! ya se!)
Pedimos "family style" que te ponen la comida en un plato grande sobre injera y ademas te dan mas, no te dan platos, ni cubiertos, pero si pides uno te los dan.
El servicio es excelente!, la mesera muy amable y Abel - creo que es uno de los duenhos - siempre SUPER atento!
A mi no me gusta la cerveza, pero mi amiga ordeno una y estaba super rica! , tambien tienen vino
Bottom line: Good food, in a nice location! if you like spicy or if you don't like spicy, if you like vegetarian or if you like meat I think you can get your craving satisfied. - Shrimp, lamb and lentils, yum! sorry, I didn't make it to dessert!
I heard a lot about what a great atmosphere this restaurant has, but uh - not the case in my case. We were seated in front of the kitchen door, aka flooded in fluorescent light while JANET JACKSON blared over our heads. Nice ambiance! It did leave me wondering if Ethiopia is a rhythm nation...
The food was awesome, and our waiter was ridiculously fast. I think we timed it to be 12 seconds to get a refill of injera (pancake-like bread stuff I love so) The soju cocktail I had was also delicious. Pretty awesome.
I love ethiopian food and it seems the theory behind this place is to deliver ethiopian in a more upscale, expensive fashion than its typical San Diego hole in the wall counterparts (Harar, Red Sea, etc) Mission accomplished!
Still, I did think there were a couple off-putting things about eating here that made me prefer the hole in the walls: This place had way too much wait staff. At times it actually felt kind of crowded with everyone going in and out of the kitchen (again, being seated right in front of the kitchen door, not my favorite spot). I think there were four waiters on staff, and maybe four tables of people eating. That resulted in really quick service, which we loved, but also way too many people coming and going by our table.
SIDENOTE: I kind of wish the waitstaff recognized how awkward it is to sit at a table positioned there and moved us, because there were about 10 other tables free.
We also often witnessed one of the turtle-neck-wearing waitresses dancing and singing along to the horrible house music blaring in the restaurant. It felt like we were watching the SNL skit 'sprockets'
No. Just no.
Next time I'd ask for the patio, but I still look forward to next time. Perhaps for take-out!
Authentic Ethiopian food with class and great ambiance.
The servers and proprietors are very friendly and helpful. If you don't know anything about Ethiopian food this is a great place to start. If you are a connoisseur of Ethiopian food this is a great place to go.
Enjoy!
J
I'm bummed to say my experience here was just so-so.
Had reservations on a weekday night, the restaurant seemed really busy. Our server forgot about our beers and the food took longer than expected. Looking around it seemed the norm that other tables food took a long time as people sat with fits under chin.
The sambusa's filling was good but the dough was on the heavy doughy side, I prefer a light crispy, flakier dough. Entree's were the "Siga Kilwa" beef and...uh can't even remember the other dish, which can't be a good sign. I enjoyed the flavor of the Siga Kilwa but the meat was extremely tough and hard to chew.
Honestly I doubt I'll go back.
Visited Muzita Bistro on November 11. A cozy, warm environment with nice lighting for dinner. Staff was attentive, friendly, and eager to explain the menu. I have eaten Ethiopian/Eritrean food before so I knew what to expect.
Two of us shared the Zigini Beggie (braised lamb) and Prawn Kilwa with sides of Hamli (collard greens and spinach) and Timtimo (lentils). Our favorite was the Prawn Kilwa which had perfectly sauteed and buttery shrimp in a sauce of onions and peppers. The Zigini Beggie was a bit spicier but flavorful. The meat was a little tough but definetly flavorful and worth a try. All this was served on traditional sponge bread with a tasty salad in the center. Two entrees were sufficient for two of us and unfortunately did not leave room for any dessert. I can't wait to return and would recommend it for anyone, especially those that have not experienced Ethiopian cuisine before.
I love the Injera here!
It is spongy, soft and have a tangy flavor. It goes perfectly with stew and veggie.
It was my first time trying Ethopian food and I will definitely go back. The only problem is the price. It is a little bit expensive for the portion. Maybe I am just too used to those cheap Chinese restaurants.
We've been wanting to try this place for ages! Thanks to their new extended hours, we were able to last Saturday afternoon after a trip to the zoo. Unfortunately, they did not have full service available (too early for dinner, too late for lunch), but we had a very pleasant time sitting outside and enjoying a couple of appetizers and amazing honey wine. Since we only tried a couple of small items, I don't feel qualified to comment much about the food except to say that the bamia (okra) appetizer was very good. What we had was more of a modern take on Ethiopian food, which was fine.
The residents here are great ! We enjoyed the guy training his dog to be a companion and helper who walked by and used our little boy as practice. He loved it (the boy -not sure about the dog who was very sweet and patient).
The staff members are warm and bubbly. They make you feel comfortable and right at home. I love the porch outside the front. It's such a cute atmosphere.
The specialty cocktails flavors were right up my alley - I ended up getting the Muzita Madras...and it was delicious...just fyi, i didn't think it was that strong...which is good or bad depending on who you are.
On to the food...
The okra appetizer (teff encrusted bamya) was SO GOOD. I couldn't stop eating it.
Sharing is caring...and you have to share if you eat here. Everything you order comes on one large injera (it's a fluffy pancake like bread...delicious) and you kind of scoop (yes with your hands and a piece of injera) and eat as you please. I tried the prawns (prawn kilwa) and the beef (siga kilwa). The beef was a little tough, but the flavor was there. Prawns were top notch. Be aware their food is very flavorful and a little spicy.
The lentil (timtimo) and vegetable (alitcha atakilti) sides were good too. The greens side (hamli) was ok...just tasted like spinach.
Overall, great! I'd like to go again.
I curse myself for not returning sooner.
...well honestly...I curse my bank account. But I reviewed this place for Rage Monthly and I vowed to return--and failed.
My mouth still waters at the memory of my meal here. The service was obviously impeccable because I was reviewing it, but from what I see here, the staff/management treat everyone just as hospitably.
...mmmmm, honey wine and tiramisu
Good beer and wine, interesting apps and main courses. we went for happy hour and it was good. Not sure that I enjoy Ethiopian food too much, but it was good. Definitely need to have an open mind and knowledge for different foods to appreciate this place.
Happened to stumble across this place and I'm so glad we did. We came in towards closing time and had wonderful service. The server was attentive and the owner was extremely hospitable. He did a great job making this new experience both educational and enjoyable.
Onto the food...I ordered a Harar beer but they were out so tried the James Boag's which was decent. Would like to go back to try the Ethiopian beer. We ordered the Prawn Kilwa and the Zigini Beggie. A lot of food and all of it was seasoned perfectly. Can't wait to go back.
I came here on a date (yea, i get taken on dates sometimes, surprise) and I was excited to find that it had ethiopian food because it is one of my favorites and also because i'm an eat-with-your-hands kinda gal.
The place is rather small but it has really nice decorations giving it a warm cozy feel. Both outside and indoor seating are good and I even saw some rather large parties that were seated pretty easily (i'm sure with advanced warning).
For appetizers we ordered the spicy lentil spread with crispy injera. (I also uploaded pics of it :)). I thought that the lentil spread was absolutely delicious but not spicy at all, esp. because we had asked a 4-5/10 spicyness level in all our dishes. However, as soon as I mentioned to the waitress that the dish was very flavorfull but not spicy at all, I had the owner by my table explaining to me why they didn't make it too spicy and that my main course would definitely be spiced (granted, at this point I was pretty worried because I thought they would make my main course RED-HOT to prove me wrong).
For a main course we got the beef "sigga kilwa" and Alitcha Atakilti (stewed veggies) with a side of shiro (blended chickpeas) and hamli (collard greens). Funny enough, my favorite part of this meal was the cooked veggies and the collard greens. OH MY GOOD.. I know this sounds a bit much, but these potatoes and carrots were PERFECTLY cooked and had a nice stew-sauce to them that made them soo good. The collard greens were also very tasty and had hint of citrus which I loved. The beef was cooked well, cut into small little cubes and also served with a red stew sauce. When you are asked if you would like your meal with either rice or injera, MAKE SURE you ask for the injera, its the real way to eat ethiopian food and you wont regret it.
Pause- injera is a pankake-like sour bread that you use to eat the food with. You basically tear a strip of it, place it on top of the food you want, and pinch the injera (trapping food inside) with your fingers.
Whats the best part? once you are done with your meal, you get to eat the injera that was at the bottom of the plate and has soaked in all the juices from the different dishes, making it extra delicious. The owner also added a side of 2 spices: one liquid sauce that was extremely hot (but a little bitter for my taste) and another with a blend of dry spices that, sprinkled over all our meats and veggies made it absolutely delicious.
I gave it 5 stars because even though I complained about the spicyness, the great service and the attentiveness of the owner definitely made up for it. Everything was pretty delicious and I would definitely come back for a special ocassion.
Finally, it was a nice surprise to see when I got home that my take-out box (yea, I couldn't finish it all) had a little container with some dry spice. I ate the leftovers cold and right out of the box....and damn were they good.... :)
This place is amazing. They have the most super friendly staff, and the food totally rocks. The food was spicy, full of delicious flavor, and every bite melted in my mouth. It was such a pleasure to try something new for a change. They also have a decent wine selection, and the cost is moderate for the quality of food and portion sizes, definitely worth the price. I will definitely be back with my friends!
Love this place.
We came on a weekend and we were seated right away. Our waiter was EXTREMELY friendly. It was our first time coming here so we were totally clueless as to what we should order. We went by what our waiter recommended since we didn't know what to get and we were not disappointed. He even showed us how we eat the food with out hands. Very interesting place.
If you're looking for something new to try, then come here. You won't be disappointed.
Was out for a walk with the fiancee in University Heights and we were hungry. Saw the sign for Muzita and said, "I don't even know what Abyssinian food is. Let's give it a shot." Walked in a realized that Abyssinian is basically Ethiopian. Oh.
I'd been to Red Sea once, and that was the extent of my previous Ethiopian food experience. I've since had many a cab driver recommend Awash, but I haven't made it there yet.
Anyway, the food at Muzita was way tasty. And our waitress was really helpful. She explained everything on the menu, and made recommendations, which we found really helpful. She was also happy to bring us extra injera.
The price was a touch more than I was hoping for, but I guess they're going for a whole trendy/upscale thing. If I want my spur-of-the-moment African on the cheap, I'll just have to take my evening strolls in City Heights.
At this restaurant, you get more than food. The staff and management at Muzita Abyssinian Bistro welcome you into their restaurant as if you were guests in their home. Knowing that most people are new to Ethiopian cuisine, they make recommendations based on your protein and vegetable preferences and tell you about the food and its preparation when it is delivered to your table.
Abel, the manager, very kindly visits every table and is attentive to his guests' needs. It seems that making you feel welcome and at home is just as important as the food they serve you.
I'm no expert on Ethiopian food, but the food is fresh and a little spicey. Portions are generous and today, the chef got a hold of some really fresh mussels so they were the special of the day. I had lamb and it was stewed with spices --- very tasty. The side of collard greens and squash was also very impressive.
Come here if you like great tasting food and a little exposure to Ethiopian hospitality and cuisine.
My knowledge of Abyssinian food is severely retarded. Also, this place is not super cheap, and if you have obsessive-compulsive issues about your hands being clean or ethnocentric notions about "proper" tools with which to load grub into your pie-hole, you won't like it. That said, Muzita deserves all the kudos it gets.
I've only been here once (about a year ago), and I just revisited the menu online to see if anything jogged my memory. So this review will probably suck as I won't be able to use my usual degree of shoveled-on description, but I will always remember that meal and how unique and mind-opening the flavors were. I swear fenugreek was hiding in something I ate (in just the right amount), and cumin played a central role. There were chilies of some kind, and obviously from the haziness of this account, a good kind of alcohol cleansed my palate between bites.
I remember sitting on the floor and eating with my hands. I remember vegetables and meats--no pork--and I remember flavor combinations that I usually don't experience. I remember thinking how glad I was that they opened their restaurant in the general location of my domicile, and I remember being entranced by the injera--both the utensil AND the carbohydrate round that everything was served on. I remembered meals at my friend's house who just moved here from Somalia a few years ago. I remembered washing my hands here the way I did at her place and certain Islamic rules about that having to do with Hadith. I remembered the two other East African restaurant meals I had eaten in my life, how they didn't compare to Muzita, and how I got sick from both of them and had to cautiously come back to this cuisine. Most of all, I remember Muzita being the best way I could possibly have done this.
But the injera: a giant, fluffy, slightly tart pancake with holes from the bubbles made during cooking. All the entrees served on top of it on a giant-sized platter. Made from teff, a grain that is obscure in these parts and definitely magical.
I knew so little about teff I had to get to an internet connection and school myself as soon as possible. Tiny, protein-rich, gluten free seeds that grow wild like a grass and need very little water. The natural acids in teff react with the baking powder (or other bases) put in the injera to release huge bubbles of carbon dioxide and make this flatbread impossibly fluffy. A grain so prolific that a handful could sow an entire field, enough to feed a huge clan of nomadic herdsmen. The perfect cereal crop for the transhumant lifestyle and a grain that could possibly save the world by making vast amounts of protein in dry areas with unimproved soils. "No matter how badly global warming impacts the world's food supply, there will always be teff to save us," I thought.
Injera is an intriguing enough substance on its own to warrant a visit to Muzita. Linger over the brilliant spices of the entrees and honey wine and praise Haile Selassie I while doing so. Jah, Rastafari! With food like this I could move to Addis Ababa and I'd hardly miss anything else on my palate.
This is definitely upscale Eritrean food, at least compared to some of the other Ethiopian places in town. Technically there is a difference between the two cuisines but I think that most people would be hard pressed to notice too much variation.
The owner here couldn't be nicer and he is excited to tell you all about the menu. The manager was super friendly as well and accommodated all of our strange requests.
We enjoyed all of the food, although we made the mistake of not specifying how spicy we want it, so it came out on the milder side. I guess they thought we didn't look like we could take the heat. They brought out some powder and dipping sauce to help add that extra kick.
My only issues with this place are that some of the meat seemed a bit overcooked--not to the point where it was bad but it made it hard to tell when you were eating the lamb versus the beef. This was partly due to the seasonings. Also, some of the portion sizes seem a tad small. They do give you a side of vegetables with each entree and maybe we should have just ordered more of it.
I think the food was ok. We were a party of 10+ and I think the waitress managed us quite well. But we stayed until their closing time and I could tell that she was in a rush to close down and kick us out. Kinda made us feel unwelcome at the end, too bad.
The food was good. Not the best Ethiopian food I have ever had (I like the red sea in El Cajon better), and the portion could have been a bit larger. Also, it feels unauthentic..maybe because I'm so used to Ethiopian places that are run by Ethiopian and serve to Ethiopian. It's not bad though, the atmosphere was nice, clean, chic.
This place is great for an upscale Ethiopian experience. The food is really good. Our table got a large plate of mixed meats - two lamb dishes and a chicken. All were good.
The service was great. Our waitress was friendly and attentive, even though she was quite busy.
I will say that I've been to some other Ethiopian places that I feel might be more authentic? Red Sea and Asmara are really good places for GOOD, no frills Ethiopian food.
I would definitely go back to Muzita for good friend and a nice atmosphere.
I went to Muzita last night for a friend's birthday. Our party of five was treated so kindly by the waiter James and the restaurant's owner. I'm not sure if it is the kind of place I could come back to again and again, but for a special occasion, I can't think of a much better place to celebrate.
James the waiter gave us an informative introduction to the menu, showing great concern that everyone had something they would enjoy eating, including our vegetarian. The family style serving keeps everyone involved in the dinner together. It's a natural conversation starter, as opposed to everyone burying their faces in individual entree plates. We were warned there would be some spicy stuff, but I managed to avoid it. If you don't like spicy foods, you shouldn't have any problems avoiding it. The beef was not spicy.
Because of the birthday, we received a complementary mousse dessert and 5 shots of the honey wine. Both were extremely nice gestures by the staff.
We've been frequenting this restaurant now for a few months now. It's a cozy, intimate atmosphere. The staff is great - super engaging, friendly and always willing to offer advice and suggestions from the obscure array of menu options. The braised lamb dishes are their best of the bunch and the fried Ocra appetizer is a must. A great spot for a first date if you're comfortable eating with your hands!
I am so proud that this is one my local restaurants. It's literally a couple of saunters away from where I live. It only took me like 8-9 months to go here for the first time (Which the owner pointed out haha). Now, I have tried multiple times to go, but my husband is a very picky eater and I think he was avoiding it. However, it was my birthday so he caved in and finally took me there with a group of friends ;)
We had a reservation, which I would recommend on a weekend evening since it gets busy and it's small. I was told that they only accept 40% reservations since they are a very community type restaurant and want to ensure that the locals are able to get a seat as well.
We were seated at a long family style table, and were provided with moist towelettes because you get to eat with your hands. Germ phobes beware! Our waiter, James, was awesome and very informative about the menu because Ethiopian cuisine is very foreign to most people. He recommended that we all share, family style, a couple of entrees and appetizers. My husband had to have his own plate because like I said he is picky! (Vegetarian, but doesn't eat a lot of veggies. No spicy foods or onions).
The food was delicious, I especially liked the prawns and mashed lentils (there was a name for them). The collard greens were super spicy! But I liked them ;) I also had a mango cocktail with sujoku in it, which is a grain alcohol. It was tasty, but I had a weird reaction to it. I'm 1/2 asian though, so I have all sorts of weird reactions to different types of alcohol ;)
I got super duper hooked up for my bday, which was really nice. Free desert (yummmmm chocolate with home made whipped cream!) and free shots. The owner and chef came to our table personally to make everything was great. Nice personal touch.
Oh, and there were left overs so I was advised to toss a fried egg on top of the heated left overs the next day. SO GOOD. Sexy times in my mouth for sure. ( Hey, the food is spicy).
I highly recommend this place!
Thank you YELP for making this at-home mom feel hip once again...and fooling our new friends into thinking I'm just naturally cool! Eating at Muzita is not just about sustenance...it's an experience. The decor way exceeded my expectations, the service was excellent, the honey wine was the perfect starter, the food was like nothing I've ever eaten before, and the lack of utensils was just plain fun. Wine, appetizers, huge main dish portions, dessert & good tip - $40/pp, the entire experience - priceless. My husband and I can't wait to go back and try more Abyssinian delectables...love, love, love this place.
I thought the food here was interestingly spicy. I say that because I often only like spicy foods on occasion. Not to mention the service was really welcoming. I walked in there to meet a friend who ordered for both of us, all the while it was nearing their closing time. I felt bad about this, but neither of us felt rushed to leave. It was either they're that friendly, or they were being watched by their bosses. heh
So this was my first Ethiopian food experience and probably not the last. I hear honey wine is amazing. I tried Injera for the first time and it acted as the accompaniment to the main dish. Like bread and pasta. Injera was the bread that soaked up all the spicy juices from our meat dish. Although, it was most likely that they were closing that they forgot to serve us utensils, it was kind of fun using the Injera as our utensils. Preferably, if I ever had to eat with my hands, it would be at home.
Muzita I think I love you. I've only been here for your happy hour but I'm excited to come back for dinner. It's affordable, delicious and I liked the decor and layout - it's cozy.
First of all, the service was phenomenal! I wish I knew what our server's name was - she was so great. She explained what everything was on the appetizer menu and even offered to let us try a couple of the wines.
I came with two other people and we ordered all of the appetizers except for a couple of them. All of them are worth trying - you can't go wrong. I didn't realize this but most of the appetizers are fried. Delicious but fried.
BTW - The wine that I liked on the menu was the Renwood Syrah. I did try the honey wine because it sounds delicious but it's too sweet for me. I might drink it after a meal like a port but I couldn't handle it to sip while eating.
All good things to say about this place. I shall return real soon.
If you're in the mood to get messy and eat with your hands, then Muzita is a great way to go. I went with my girlfriend and our entrees were served on the same large plate plate atop a huge, thin piece of spongy bread (with extra bread rolled on the side). You break pieces off the bread and use it to pick up the meats, lentils and vegetables with. We tried the lamb and the beef. Delicious.
I'm not into calamari at all, but Muzita probably has the best I've tried. I still couldn't bring myself to eat the tentacle looking pieces, I stick to the ones that look like onion rings.
The prices at this place are unbelievabley affordable, yet there is no sacrifice in quality of food, atmosphere or service, despite our server apologizing several times for inattentiveness which didn't seem so.
To top it all off the beer is all imported from Ethiopia, delicious, and somehow only $4 each.
My one gripe about Muzita is that it can get hot inside in the summer depending on where you are seated. Even still, 5 stars for everything else!
food is delicious, delectable, and finger-licking good!! came here with a group of 8 for friends' birthdays - our waiter was uber friendly, he briefly explained the customs and traditional way of eating Ethiopian food. as this was all of our first time eating Ethiopian food, we were all excited to feast!
as we waited for our food, we tried a bottle of the honey wine and ended up ordering another 3. we were going to order a fourth, but the waiter gave us a free bottle since it was our friends bday! yay!
we ordered the dorho, siga, ono, two beggie, and shiro (chicken, beef, ono, lamb, and chickpeas respectively) main dishes for a total of 7 entrees. each entree came with the injera, salad, and a side which was plenty of food for all and more. overall, the whole group agreed that both the lamb dishes were the best with the ono and siga following close behind. i liked the shiro too; chicken was good, but i wouldnt order it again.
we also got a free tiramisu at the end of the meal to celebrate the birthdays! great service, great ambiance....overall a great night, will definitely return!
We'd been hearing from friends that we had to try this place for quite a while. Finally the opportunity presented itself and we headed over as part of a party of 5. We were sat out on the patio and greeted by the manager who couldn't be friendlier or more knowledgeable.
We started off with a small bottle of the honey wine. This is definitely a love or hate thing without much room in the middle. As an aperitif I thought it was awesome. Nice, pleasant, and rather sweet. But on a fairly hot day it was perfect. I also sampled the Harar, which is an Ethiopian beer. It was good, but nothing that I'd want to have again.
Before we get to the food there's one big thing to keep in mind - no silverware. Sure, you can be *that guy* and ask for silverware, but where's the fun in that? Bring people that you know are relatively disease free (read - no *ahem* workers *ahem* from El Cajon Blvd) and get in there with your fingers.
We started out with 3 appetizers:
Sambusas (a filled pastry - very tasty)
Teff Encrusted Bamya (a fried okra - just awesome and a bit spicy)
Something else that I can't quite remember (but I remember really loving).
We then went on to the main course. The main course dishes come out on one large plate (again - just get in there and share!) on a bed of injera. Now if I was going to complain about one thing, it's the injera. The best way to describe it is like a puffy form of a tortilla. It has about the consistency (and to some level the taste) of foam. When you go to eat you rip off a piece of this and dip on in. I understand that it's traditional, and the food that I was picking up overran the taste of the injera, but still.
Back to dinner.
So we had the:
Hamli (braised spinach and greens - wow!)
Beggie Kilwa (rare lamb and herb blend - stole the show!)
Prawn Kilwa (a spicy shrimp dish - spicy and out of this world good)
After the 3 appetizers and 3 main dishes the 5 of us were stuffed. There was talk of dessert but we just couldn't do it. I'd recommend doing dessert if you have the room, as something sweet would have nicely offset the spice of the food.
Before I finish this off (and if you've read this far you deserve some sort of award), I have to mention that the place is family owned. The story is that the owner of the place was an accountant whose wife wanted to open a restaurant - and this was what they opened. We did get to meet the husband that night and he also couldn't have been nicer.
Great service, knowledgeable staff, and just out of this world food. Run, don't walk. And if you've never had Ethiopian food, it's time to expand your horizons!
I offically LOVE ethopian food. Muzita Abyssinian was fantastic. I'd heard lots of great things prior to this but finally got the chance to experience it with a group of my friends- 11 in total.
The place is adorable and very quaint. They were great about acommodating our large group in such small spaces (make a reservation beforehand for alrge groups) and the wait staff was helpful to expalin everything on the menu as well as portion sizes for about how many we'd need for the table as well as decisions on choosing the perfect Ethopian beer from their selection. We also had a few brills of the Mess (honey wine) which is phenemenol! It kind of reminded me of a sweet sake, but none of the sake aftertaste. if you like sweet things, this is a must have. I'm not big on the sweets but still enjoyed a few glasses :)
Three of us shared 2 entrees and an appetizer. We got Sambusas (similar to empenadas) to start- they came in groups of three, chicken, veggie and lamb (i think). All tasted great. For the entrees we got Siga Kilwa (beef) and Zigini Beggie (braised leg of lamb). The Zigini was my favorite- had all the traditional spices and flavors in it that were left out of the Siga because one person in our sharing party was not a fan of spices. We also got the potatoes side dish and the greens side dish- both fantastic.
Will definitely be heading back to this place soon.
I recently visited Muzita to continue my Park Avenue survey. Ethiopian food is a fairly under-served niche in San Diego, and I was more than little rusty with my injera -- I suspect the owners could compile an entertaining video reel of hapless injera novices -- but everything I tried I enjoyed.
The African spices can be dialed up if you prefer, but given the relative novelty of the flavors I was pleased with the flavor of a basic presentation of Tsebhi Dorho, lentils, and salad.
My service was friendly and attentive, and can help advise on the menu for vegetarians, vegans, or the gluten-averse, all of whom will find options.
I definitely want to bring friends back to try a larger swath of the menu.
I never realized that I love lamb until I had it here.
Muzita was the second night in a row that we had Ethiopian for dinner (first night was Red Sea). It gets high points for atmosphere and some of the entrees, middling points for the other entrees, some of the waitstaff and the appetizer.
The owner dropped by and made some recommendations. He was very charming and friendly. We ended up getting the okra and when I decided I wanted a second glass of honey wine, he brought out a flask and charged us only for that and not the first glasses of wine. It was a thoughtful gesture that didn't go unnoticed.
The okra was incredibly flavorful, but a little light on the seasoning. I wish there had been more of the sauce it is tossed in. Presentation was in line with a fine-dining place.
We split the Tsebi Doro, Prawn Kilwa and the stir fried lamb. The lamb was amazing! Pure buttery, garlicky goodness. It was the first thing to go and all of us fought over the sauce-soaked injera.
Everything else was decent. Our server was nice enough, but disappeared on us at the end of the evening. Great atmosphere. Nice little spot to bring a picky date who can't handle the hole-in-the-wall feel of other Ethiopian places in town.
Maybe, like us, you'll spend your entire meal wondering which is better- the delicious food or the warmth of the owner. He spent some time with us going over the menu and explaining his favorites, brought us samplers so we could narrow down our choices, and even gave us a little shot of delicious honey wine.
The decor is lovely and intimate, the servers were extreeeemely attentive, and the prices were absolutely reasonable for what you got (each dish comes with a side dish and a salad). When I say attentive, I mean, not once did I have to make a slurping sound with my cup to get it refilled (THIS MEANS YOU, CHEESECAKE FACTORY!)
They made sure we didn't feel rushed to leave even though the restaurant was packed. But back to the main deal- the food was absolutely delicious. My senses were going nuts with all the flavors, and they kept the Injira (?) coming. The collard greens and the lentils are TO DIE FOR. We actually struggled over which of the 3 sides to pick because they were all flawless. I realize as I"m writing this that it sounds like I'm related to these people, I'm flattering the place so much, but all I can say is I WISH!!!
Honestly, I didn't have a hope that it could have kept up to its Yelp-review standards, but it more than did. Can't wait to go back, and certainly couldn't wait to tell you all about it.
This review is a long time coming...
One of my favorite restaurants in San Diego--5 stars doesn't do my 3 experiences (so far) justice.
Previous reviews capture it well, but I think the best thing to let be known yelp-style is that each time I go, I've stayed longer and longer. It's the type of restaurant you get comfy in quickly and then don't want to leave. A great first date place (or second, third, or 100th), night with the girls, or anything in between, the environment is intimate and cozy, relaxed and friendly. The owner, Abell, is about the nicest guy you'll ever meet and we were lucky enough our last trip to have him all to ourselves for the last 30 minutes of the evening or so--he is a total delight.
The food is fantastic--I highly recommend telling the waiter how hungry you are, what you like to eat, and then just letting them throw it together for you family-style.
I'm so happy that Muzita is in my 'hood. It's the perfect mix of warm ambiance, good food, and positive vibes. I love knowing that when I go there (and I will be going there. a lot.), it will be be more than a meal, but a true dining experience.
Had my first time eating Ethiopian on Sunday and Muzita Abyssinian Bistro made the experience great.
The Bartender / Waitress Megan was awesome. She remembered the GF being there recently and helped us maneuver through the menu with ease. We sat outside on the patio as evening cooled University Heights.
We started off with the Sambusas which were delicious. We shared a main entree of Siga Kilwa (Beef) and the side was Timtimo (a hummus like paste). It was all great. We got the spicy sauce on the side but I used it (I like the spice!) The owner stopped out to make sure everything was great (which is a nice touch).
They have a simple menu but something for everyone (including a vegetarian menu). Planning on eating there again soon.
Great tasting food, good atmosphere, amazing service.
We came here yesterday. I had never been to this part of SD, it was quiet but parking was sparse. Unless I am mistaken, there is street parking only.
The restaurant itself was much smaller than I imagined. It has both a patio and an elegant interior from which to choose. Our server was very helpful with suggestions on food, and clarifications. He was courteous and readily available.
The food IS as tasty as most of the other Yelpers have described. We got the prawn dish which was very tasty with vegetables as the side (the sweet potatos were awesome!). The spongy injera was different.
I had a beer that tasted very heavy and thick, like a Warsteiner. It was VERY different but I don't think I would ever order it again.
My girlfriend got the sweet honey wine and it was very, VERY sweet on the tongue at first, almost TOO fruity but then the taste faded. This is a good thing because I don't like beverages that flood your mouth with flavor and, because of its intensity, the beverage becomes too much.
I probably won't be back here because it is a pricey meal but I would recommend it for anyone who is looking for a unique dining experience and/or a flavorful meal.
!!!!!!! I WISH I COULD GIVE A 10 STAR REVIEW!!!!!!!!
I have never had such an appreciation for a restaurant as I now have for this wonderful little establishment. I hope Muzita's is thriving for many years to come. I HIGHLY recommend this place if you're in San Diego, its definitley a must try and should go in your bookmarks right now! :]
So, here's the story....
Chris and I needed to escape LA for a day or 2, so we decided to visit our friend in San Diego.
Since we agreed we wanted to have an adventurous road trip and a romantic night, we turned to Yelp for an adventurous dinner with exotic cuisine we had never tried before. As soon as I said Ethiopian/Abyssinian food he burst into the room asking if they had raw meat on the menu..... ?!?!? [Funny, I suppose, that the first thing he wanted to try was raw hamburger meat. He's odd. I digress...] Well, after looking over the menu, we decided this was going to be the highlight of our trip. And it was!
The place is small and cozy, and was the same little size as the surrounding houses. The decor is awesome, and ties the place in very well. We immediately liked the service, because they know that most of the customers have never had the food before, and explain everything on the menu and give you advice on what to eat depending on your likings. And they like alcohol as much as Chris and I do. :] To drink, Chris had James Boag, a Tasmanian beer, and I ordered a glass of Mess, which is a sweet honey wine. We ordered the injera (crepe-like spongy bread) with timtimo (spicy lentils), prawn kilwa (shrimp), siga kilwa (beef), and alitcha atakilti (spiced mixed greens), and were SO excited when we quickly received our meal in an decorated, authentic hat-like cover. Our waiter gave us a knife for taking off the shrimp tails, and showed us how to eat our meal.....
SO here's why I give it 10 stars:
Not only was our meal to die for, and our drinks amazing, our waiter, the manager, AND the owner all came and talked to us during our meal. This may sound annoying, but actually, it was very interesting considering the staff (which consisted of about 5 people) have interesting stories themselves. Upon hearing we drove all the way from LA to come here, we were treated with such kindness, and were given some complimentary items. Including Chris' raw meat appetizer, which he was super excited about. Abel, the owner himself made it for him! And for dessert, the manager brought us his homemade tiramisu! Also, the owner, Michael, explained how his mother even makes her own honey wine!!!!! It REALLY doesn't get much better and more authentic than that. Throughout the whole meal, all Chris could do was proclaim his love for the food and this beautiful restaurant, and to be honest, that's pretty much all I could do too. We left SO full and satisfied.. and tipsy.
We are DEFINITELY coming back to Muzitas in San Diego, even if its just for a day.
Oh, and Michael I'm emailing you when we do! We love you guys and thank you so much for the awesome experience! (And we want to try the homemade honey wine!)
I went here to meet up with my friends last week. I kinda came in too late, I ended up not ordering because I didn't want to end up being the last one to finish thier food while they wait.
They managed to save some appetizers for me. I don't know the name of it, but it was a finger food, it looked like a rolled pancake, I tried it, and it was really good. I took a sample of the food they were eating, and it was spicy, and it was really good. I'm coming back to this place and do an update sometime this week. But for now, 3 stars.
I think this place has been accurately reviewed by those before me, but seriously, it is awesome. I have never been so pleasantly surprised and intrigued by a restaurant.
The bread/utensil they serve defies logic! It is sponge-y, light and delicious!
If you are wanting to try something new and eat a delicious, flavorful meal in a restaurant with great service and ambiance - go here!!
I went to Muzita for dinner on Friday night. They gave our party of four a two top even though we had a reservation, which was annoying.
The service was good but not great. The food was also good, but frankly I do not see what all the hype was about. The beef dish we had, the name of which I do not remember, was not good. The pieces of beef were tough and there were a few large pieces of gristle that I had to spit out, which is akward when you don't have your own plate to put it on.
For appetizers we had the calamari and the stuffed pastry pockets. Both were underwhelming and I would probably not order either dish again.
Muzita is just O.K. in my book.
Neighborhood: City Heights
Category: Ethiopian
San Diego, CA
Category: Ethiopian
Neighborhood: City Heights
Category: African
Neighborhood: North Park
Category: Ethiopian
Neighborhood: Rolando
Category: African
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