Native
Ethiopia with Bunna Cafe
This week on Native, host Briana Kurtz journeys to Ethiopia via Bushwick, Brooklyn with guest Sam Saverance, owner and founder of Bunna Cafe. Since 2011, Bunna Cafe has been the prime destination for Ethiopian cuisine in North Brooklyn and beyond. Sam shares with Briana how he became so enamoured with the unique flavor palate of Ethiopia and the road that took him from a simple trip to the country years ago to opening up a brick and mortar establishment that prides itself in serving a vegan menu as well as traditional Ethiopian alcohol. T'ej, a sweet, rich, fermented golden honey wine a favorite drink that Sam serves in the restaurant! After the break, Sam relays some of the upcoming events that Bunna Cafe is involved in, such as a stand at Smorgasburg, the Brooklyn flea food market. With Easter upon us, Briana gets the scoop on traditional, holiday eating habits as well as why Sam decided to take the restaurant in a vegan direction though Ethiopian cuisine does often implement meat. Tune in for a great show! This show was brought to you by Cain Vineyard & Wine.
"Ethiopia is considered the birthplace of coffee and coffee there is used more than just a beverage to get you from point A to point B. Actually, the ambiance, smell... it's a ritual there." [3:43]
"The vegan cuisine has been grown for many centuries and it's not meant as a substitute for anything... there's no tofu!" [20:10]
--Sam Saverance on Native