he last time I sat at a table in a home-spun eatery out on The Main, I was there against my will. Well,I was intrigued to hear that well-known Kits restaurant, Nyala, had opened a sister location on Main Street. I had heard that they sometimes had drumming circles and cooking classes and had to find out more. Visiting a couple of weeks ago, I was anxious to check out the new digs.

Located just south of King Edward Street, tucked between clothing stores and other Main Street haunts, lies this simply laid out newbie on the block. The unassuming exterior, bare-boned interior and minimal design hides one of the most interesting menus I’ve come across recently.

Serving up African cuisine, this Ethiopian-owned gem has something on the menu for everyone. You can start with Vegetable Pakora, Humus, Sambussa, Boerewors Kabobs and Bilton (dried beef strips with awaze sauce) or a variety of innovative salads. The entrées range from Yedoro Watt (chicken marinated in lemon, butter, red pepper sauce and flavoured) and Yasa Watt (fish browned in oil, berbere sauce and flavoured) to Tikil Gomen (mixed veggies).

You can also order from the kids menu (a full meal with dessert) or the Chef’s Special Combination Platter, a vegetarian mix of appies and main course (no vegetarian choices contain dairy products or animal fat). Try the Tofu Stew ($11), with heaps of tofu “dressed up in costumes of” red pepper sauce, ginger, cardamom and garlic. It’s an experience in and of itself.