Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant, situated at 515 Bloomfield Avenue in Montclair, NJ 07042, has garnered significant attention for its authentic Ethiopian cuisine. It is a favorite for both vegans and meat lovers.
Overview
Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant of Montclair, NJ is a favorite for both vegans & meat lovers with its authentic Ethiopian food. All of our foods are prepared with imported Ethiopian spices prepared daily. The friendly staff and warm decor makes Mesob the perfect place to relax with family and friends. Our Injera, a delicious sourdough Ethiopian flat bread that you wrap your food with, makes Mesob a favorite with kids, where it’s a treat to “eat with your hands.” (but we also have silverware, if you prefer!)
Cuisine and Dining Style
The restaurant offers a diverse menu that includes Ethiopian, African, and Vegetarian/Vegan cuisines. The dining style is described as casual elegant.
Mesob is celebrated for its authentic Ethiopian cuisine and has been recognized as the #1 restaurant in New Jersey's Best of Montclair. With a diverse menu that caters to vegan and vegetarian diets, it stands out as a hidden jewel in the area. Committed to quality, Mesob uses only the finest ingredients and offers a gluten-free dining option, ensuring a delightful experience for all guests.
Ambiance and Service
The restaurant's inviting atmosphere makes it a perfect spot for both casual meals and special occasions. With earth tones walls and dim lighting, it was a perfect 'date restaurant'. There were also all kinds of beautiful Ethiopian tapestry, baskets and leatherwork on display all over the restaurant.
Read also: Ethiopian Cuisine: Philadelphia Guide
Many reviewers have praised the friendly staff and warm decor, making Mesob the perfect place to relax with family and friends.
Menu Highlights
Mesob offers a variety of dishes that cater to different preferences. Some notable mentions include:
- Injera: A delicious sourdough Ethiopian flat bread used to wrap food, making it a favorite with kids who enjoy eating with their hands.
- Vegetarian Sampler for Two: A platter covered with injera and topped with six different vegan vegetable entrees.
- Shiro: Pureed split peas and chick peas cooked with onions, garlic, and spices, offering a thick, creamy texture and savory flavor.
- Misir Wat: Lentils cooked in a spicy berbere sauce, imparting a deep red color and complex flavor.
- Kik Aletcha: Yellow split peas simmered with onions and spices, providing a mildly spicy and slightly tangy flavor.
- Ingudai Tibs: Sliced portobello mushrooms cooked with onion, garlic, tomatoes, and spices, adding a meaty texture to the array of dishes.
- Meat Sampler: Consisting of 5 meat dishes and 3 vegetable dishes, offering a taste of everything.
Here's the list of dishes that we had in our sampler.
- Tibs Wat(Cubed prime beef sautéed and simmered in hot sauce, seasoned with spices & fresh herbs)
- Minche Abish Key Wat(Finely chopped prime beef sautéed in butter, and simmered in hot sauce seasoned with spices and fresh herbs)
- Minche Abish Aletcha Wat(Finely chopped prime beef sautéed in butter, and simmered in mild sauce seasoned with spices and fresh herbs)
- Ye'beg Aletcha Wat(Tender pieces of lamb simmered in mild sauce seasoned with spices and fresh herbs)
- Doro Tibs(Scalloped chicken breast marinated & sautéed with red onions, garlic, jalapeno pepper, fresh tomato & spices)
- Ingudai Tibs(Portobello mushroom marinated & sautéed with red onions, garlic, jalapeno pepper, fresh tomato & spices)
- Kik Aletcha(Yellow split peas simmered in a mild and flavorful onion and herb sauce)
- Tikile Gomen(Cabbage and potatoes simmered in mild sauce)
Customer Reviews and Ratings
Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant has received an overall rating of 4.5 based on all-time ratings. Here’s a breakdown of the ratings:
- Food: 4.6
- Service: 4.3
- Ambience: 4.3
- Value: 4.3
Many customers have shared their dining experiences, highlighting the flavorful food and the overall experience.
Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
MarilynF from New York City gave a rating of 5 across the board, noting that "The food was good & flavorful. The excitement of their food presentation was better than what we actually ate."
Mark from New York City also gave high ratings, praising it as an "Excellent date night on a Saturday night." He recommended ending the meal with Ethiopian coffee.
OpenTable Diner from San Diego enjoyed their dinner, particularly the vegetarian and non-vegetarian entrees. They noted that service could improve slightly but overall, it was a good dinner.
Jashell from New York City simply stated, "Our favorite Ethiopian restaurant. Highly recommend."
eeatalot from New York City mentioned, "As always the food was excellent."
Read also: A Taste of Ethiopia in South Carolina
TFTFam from New York City, a frequent visitor, praised the food and the owner but noted some disappointment with the service on a recent visit.
Additional Information
Here's some additional information about Mesob:
- Hours of Operation:
- Lunch: Tuesday - Sunday: 11:30am - 3:00pm
- Dinner: Tuesday - Sunday: 3:00pm - 10:00pm
- Payment Options: AMEX, Diners Club, Mastercard, Visa
- Executive Chef: Akberet Mengistu
- Catering: Off-premise and special catering available.
- Parking: Street Parking
- Additional Features: Banquet, BYO Liquor, BYO Wine, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access
Mesob is a BYOB. So, you can bring along your favorite bottle of wine to go with dinner, without any corkage.
How to Experience Mesob
If you're planning a visit to Mesob Ethiopian Restaurant, here are a few tips:
- Make Reservations: Especially on weekends, Mesob can get quite busy. Making a reservation ensures you'll have a table.
- Explore the Menu: Don't hesitate to ask the friendly staff for recommendations, especially if you're new to Ethiopian cuisine.
- Try the Ethiopian Coffee: Many people rave about their famous Ethiopian coffee.
- Consider the Samplers: The Meat or Vegetarian Samplers are a great way to try a variety of dishes.
- Bring Your Own Wine: Mesob is a BYOB establishment, allowing you to bring your preferred wine to enjoy with your meal.
We were really glad that we made reservations earlier cos Mesob was packed to the brim! I could tell right from the start that it was a good restaurant. You should definitely make reservations if you want a table during the weekends.
Table: Summary of Ratings and Reviews
| Aspect | Rating |
|---|---|
| Food | 4.6 |
| Service | 4.3 |
| Ambience | 4.3 |
| Value | 4.3 |
| Overall | 4.5 |
