On Saturday night, the boy and I were looking for something a little bit different for dinner. We started off by working our way through each continent and settled on Africa. We enjoyed Ethiopian for one of our earliest dates in DC so I was curious to check out Brisbane’s east-African cuisine offerings.

Mu’ooz is tucked away at the end of Ranchood Arcade in Moorooka. You might feel like you’re in the wrong place but you’re not – walk to the end of the arcade and then go downstairs.

Mu’ooz means tasty and healthy in Tigrinya, which is the language of Eritrea and parts of Ethiopia, and the food certainly lives up to the name. The boy and I opted for a share platter for two ($41), which gave us a choice of three dishes served with enjera (Eritrean bread). We chose Alicha (stew of potato, carrot, green beans and zucchini with herbs and spices), Qulwa (lamb in tasame with onion, garlic, rosemary and chilli) and my personal favourite, Chicken Zighni (spicy curry with onion, tomato, garlic and tasame).

I found the platter was the perfect amount of food for our two hungry selves but we did have enough room to fit in dessert. We tried both options – the busbusa ($7 – semolina and coconut cake) and the pannacotta ($7) – and were impressed with their flavours. Eritrea was colonised by the Italians from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century and you can definitely taste this influence in the desserts.

We finished up with traditional Eritrean coffee, served in a small clay pot. It was a delicate and delicious way to finish the meal.

This restaurant forms an important part of the local Eritrean community, providing paid employment for refugee women and their families with profits from the catering business going to the Eritrean Women and Family Support Network. I was very impressed with the lovely women who served us and think they are great ambassadors for their community.

If you’re game for something a little bit different, give Mu’ooz a go.

Where to find it: 197 Beaudesert Rd, Moorooka
Where to find it online: www.muooz.com.au