Habesha Restaurant, which will feature Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine, will open in the space formerly occupied by Gyro World at 16860 Lorain Avenue. They chose the name Habesha, which means living in peace and unity in both countries.
The restaurant is a partnership of Jamal Musa, his wife Tigist Gebremichael, and friend and partner Hirityi Weld-esalasi. All three reside in West Park and continue a long tradition of residents establishing businesses in our neighborhood.
Jamal prides the countries’ cuisines as “healthy, nutritious, and vegan friendly.” Their preliminary menu includes appetizers and salads, vegetarian entrees, combination plates, and meat entrees. The appetizers and salad items include Sambuusa, pastry triangles filled with lentils or beef; Ambesha, traditional flatbread served with cottage cheese; and a traditional breakfast dish called Chechebsa or Kich-FirFir. The vegetarian dishes offer combinations of a variety of vegetables including, collard greens, cabbage, beans, carrots, onions, chickpeas, beets, and jalapeño peppers. The meat entrees are made with chicken or beef with some prepared as stews. Many of the menu items can be ordered mild or spicy hot. Ethiopian and Eritrean cuisine is known for its blend of herbs and spices including, garlic, ginger, and turmeric. A traditional coffee ceremony is also on the menu where friends gather in a special place in the restaurant to enjoy cups of coffee together.
Cleveland only has two Ethiopian-style restaurants and none on the west side. The opening of Habesha Restaurant will add a new food option to the palette of West Park restaurant choices and has the opportunity to become a regional destination in our neighborhood. They plan to open the restaurant in late summer or early fall. For more information, call Habesha Restaurant at 216-400-6539.
By Ben Campbell Photos: Habesha Restaurant
West Park’s newest restaurant, Habesha Restaurant, is cooking up an Ethiopian dish, Shekla Tips for Kamm’s Corners Farmers Market Virtual Chef Demo!