I did some online research before our trip to Portland and really wanted to try Enjoni Cafe. We love Ethiopian food and I wanted to see how, if at all, Eritrean food differed. The atmosphere, though not exactly intimate or romantic, is quite pleasant. We were seated right away and the staff was incredibly welcoming and friendly. They offered to answer any questions we had about the menu. We are vegetarians and the friend who came with us is not; they were very accommodating about making sure that our food was not on the same platter as our friend's. The food itself was excellent: the vegetable sampler was very flavorful and high-quality. There were a couple of items that were new to us, but we forgot to ask whether they were Eritrean specialties or something that could also be found in Ethiopia. Our carnivorous friend enjoyed his beef dish, too. Best of all, the owner/chef emerged from the kitchen and talked to us. We thought that was a very nice touch. I am happy to spread the word to everyone about the greatness of Enjoni Cafe. I wish them much success.\r
\r
Tourists to Portland: don't be afraid of this neighborhood. Locals who don't venture up that way often may mislead you into thinking it's not prudent, but the neighborhood has greatly improved in recent years and we felt completely safe and comfortable. We took the MAX train from downtown (a half-hour ride but so worth it) and all was fine.
Pros: delicious, unique, friendly, great value
Cons: far from our hotel
more