Finfine Restaurant
Berkeley, CA 94704
Phone: (510) 883-0167
- Cross Street:
- Blake Street
- Hours:
- Mon, Wed-Fri 5pm-10pm, Sat 3pm-10pm, Sun 12pm-10pm
Editorial Review for Finfine Restaurant – by Kirstin Jackson
In Short
Situated in "The Village" courtyard just blocks from UC Berkeley is Finefine, an Ethiopian restaurant celebrated for both its authenticity and creative menu. The owners incorporate their family's favorite dishes along with more traditional fare, making for a varied offering. Classic Ethiopian and lively modern art adorns the walls, and whether diners come to court or for study-break dining, the honey wine, communal eating and moderate prices pleases many aims.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
Save MoneyOne vegetable combo platter and meat dish will easily satisfy three people.
Know Before You GoThe Hakim stout beer is a standard, and the restaurant is busiest after 8pm.
User Reviews for Finfine Restaurant
09/05/2006 Posted by hezmodo
Of the many Ethiopean restaurants I've tried over the years, this one rates tops in all areas; service is low-key and friendly (the host is very warm and helpful) the atmosphere is quiet and clean, and the food... oh Lordy, the food. It is sublime. There are no words to describe the depth of flavours and exquisite spicing. This is, by far, the best Ethiopean food I have ever eaten. As is traditional, two of us ate family style, ordering two meat and one veggie entree, happily anticipating left-overs. The lamb dish, recommended by the host, was almost a miracle it was so good. The spices were rich and intensely satisfying without being very spicy. In my book, the lamb stole the show. But, the beef (also recommended) was excellent as well, and much spicier. The garbanzo dish was also outstanding. Another guest with us had a fish dish (not the salmon) that was quite good, but not as remarkable as the other meats we tried. Our 10 year old friend ordered a mild chicken dish, and loved it. The honey wine is a wonderful sweet and dusky mead. Asmara used to be my favorite, but I'm afraid Fin Fine has stolen my heart. The tab was around $85.00 for 4 people, and enough left over on the family-plate for another hearty meal for our sick housemate. This place is one of the the best restaurant finds I've had in the last couple of years!
Pros: Located in a secluded restaurant mall, not on the street, so it's nice and quiet.
Cons: Telegraph Ave. can be a tough place for parking.
03/09/2006 Posted by bzbalk
I found this restaurant to be affordable and charming. The food was exquisite and the servers were attentive without being intrusive. We dined 'family style' and tried the vegetarian assortment as well as a beef and a lamb dish. My dinner-mate, who claimed to dislike lamb, raved about the lamb dish we ordered. I thought it was very good as well, but I was more partial to the beef dish that had a little more 'bite' to it. The Ethiopian tea was fragrant and quite good. The vegetarian offerings were equally satisfying, and we were planning our next visit before we finished our meal. The cost, including a generous tip, was under $50.00 and we had more than enough leftovers for another meal, which we took home with us. In my humble opinion, Fin Fine is one of the Bay Areas best kept secrets!
Users Like You Also Viewed
Tandor Kitchen
2598 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94704
Ethiopia Restaurant
2955 Telegraph Ave
Berkeley, CA 94705
