A new restaurant said to reflect “the owners’ passion, expertise, and entrepreneurial spirit” has opened in Connecticut.
Married couple Solomon Fiseha and Tigist Desalegn, who opened Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar, in New Haven, honed their skills through “years in the international restaurant and hospitality industry in Ethiopia, Dubai and the U.S., according to Yale University Properties.
The couple opened their first restaurant and convenience store in Ethiopia, expanding to Dubai, “where they gained valuable international business experience.”
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The couple had operated an Ethiopian restaurant in Middletown and now brought Habesha to New Haven, according to Yale University Properties.
The couple is intends to “introduce the community to flavors as dynamic as they are authentic,” aiming to pair “health-conscious dining with Ethiopian flavors.”
The eatery will serve plant-based specialties, such as shiro wat, a chickpea stew, and misir wat, spicy lentils, as well as traditional meat dishes, including doro wat, a signature Ethiopian chicken stew, and tibs, sautéed meat with spices, according to Yale University Properties.
“Cooking for me is more than a profession—it’s a way to share my culture with others,” Desalegn said. “We want customers to experience not just the flavors of Ethiopia but also the warmth and hospitality that are central to our way of life.”
(Yale University Properties)
Habesha Restaurant & Bar is at 46 Whitney Ave. Parking is available at the 78 Audubon Street Garage. (Yale University Properties)
There also will be an “immersive Ethiopian coffee ceremony” available, which is an “ancient practice” in which fresh beans are roasted on site, and coffee is hand-brewed.
“This ritual brings people together in a celebration of friendship, hospitality, and, of course, the finest coffee,” said Fiseha. “We are proud to bring the authentic Ethiopian coffee experience to New Haven. It’s an essential part of our culture and something that we believe makes dining at Habesha unique.”
The couple’s “lives have been shaped by a love for both business and their Ethiopian roots,” and Habesha is the realization of a shared dream, according to Yale University Properties.
“Yale University Properties is excited to welcome Habesha Ethiopian Restaurant & Bar to New Haven,” said Alexandra Daum, Yale University associate vice president for New Haven affairs and University Properties, in a statement. “We applaud Solomon and Tigist’s commitment to bringing not just their food but also their rich cultural heritage to their business. The addition of Habesha furthers the diverse, impressive range of cultural dining experiences to be found within the community.”
Habesha Restaurant & Bar is at 46 Whitney Ave., New Haven. Parking is available at the 78 Audubon Street Garage.
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