Ethiopian Restaurant Offers Princely Crown Heights Feasts

CROWN HEIGHTS, BROOKLYN — A kaleidoscope of plant-based, organic flavors fit for a prince awaits at Crown Heights' newest restaurant.

Ras Plant Based opens its doors Saturday and brings an Ethiopian restaurant to the neighborhood. The Ethiopian influences start at the name — Ras, meaning prince — and infuse the menu, drinks and interior, a press release states.

"The team aims to create a community-focused restaurant that highlights both classic and modern takes on Ethiopian cuisine, all housed in a colorful and playful Ethiopian-influenced graffiti clad urban space," the release states.

The husband and wife owner team Chef Romeo Regalli and Milka own the Cobble Hill Ethiopian restaurant Awash.

Their new restaurant features a menu centered around an Ethiopian Platter dish, consisting of a variety of vegan spreads — from one of braised collard greens to a red lentil stew with berbere sauce, and more — over a traditional spongy flatbread, a release states.

Other menu items include a vegan take on the classic kebab made with minced "Impossible" meat with spice infused olive oil and traditional powdered red seasoning mitmita made with bird's eye chili peppers, cardamon, cloves and salt, the release states.

The restaurant will offer a weekend brunch menu, breakfast platters, traditional Ethiopian coffee, desserts from vegan dessert shop Rawsome Treats and juice-based mocktails, the release states. They plan to obtain a liquor license for their bar as well, according to the release.

The restaurant is at 739 Franklin Ave., near Sterling Place. It's open at 11 a.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. on weekends.

More information can be found on its website or Instagram.