Ethiopian Cuisine recommendations plz

[AKwannabe]

Going to a well referred restaurant tonight.
Will be my first time eating this cuisine that I know of.

Please. Recommend your favs so I have some ideas for later.

TIA. (Thx in advance)

[Sanity Claws]

1. Take notes and let us know your impressions

[AKwannabe]

4. You are on foodie!

[AKwannabe]

18. It was comforting!

All foods I knew but prepared and served very differently than I have ever had.
Not one utensil in the dining room. So that was super new. But the Injera was the “utensil” and I got plenty in my belly.

I went with my very Irish friend. And he had remembered a packet of meat or veg that he bought before work each day. His lunch. I wondered if it was Samosas but he said no. That he knew those. So I said must be Ethiopian and we set out to find out.

Enat is the name of the joint we went to. 15th Ave NE and about Roosevelt-Seattle.

I had honey wine and he had Ethiopian beer (which to me tasted just like a light lager I drink all the time. Bud Light.

We had Sambusa (the Ethiopian packet). One meat and one veg. I liked both. But I adore Samosas, so that is a given. So similar. Also the mixed meat and veg combo. Three preparations of meat and four or more veg with Injera. I enjoyed the collards very much since they were obviously dressed with vinegar and they were delish. The lentils too. And there were potatoes and carrots; and cabbage and potatoes. The meats could use more cooking …or even better, pressure cooking to make them less chewy and more melt in mouth.

I will go back there and try other places to compare. Also. Didn’t have any “wats” so that will be next. Highly recommend this cuisine and the atmosphere at Enat was great too. Our server was great.
They had an African nation channel streaming on a large tv and a small bar and a cadre of fellas that looked like regulars and were having a family style meet and greet.

Two thumbs up fer sure!

[Lochloosa]

2. They make a stew with a boiled egg in it that's wonderful.

It's really good. I just can't remember the name.

[Lochloosa]

3. Doro Wat (Ethiopian Chicken Stew). Found it. It's a must try.

https://www.diversivore.com/doro-wat/

[AKwannabe]

5. Thank you! nt

[elleng]

6. As I recall (been a long time,)

a variety of items are served around a flat, round 'bread,' which diners tear and dip, so variety is the key; advance selections not necessary.

[Lochloosa]

8. Injera is the bread.

[AKwannabe]

9. I did see that option on the menu

Variety is the spice of life! 😉
And the reason for the choice.
Going with my very Irish friend!
We are both foodies.

Thanks!

[Lochloosa]

7. I love Ethiopian cuisine. Very vegetarian based.

Injera is the bread served with your dishes. Forget a fork, just tear it off and grab something.

[sorcrow]

10. Everything!

Doro wat as someone mentioned.
Gomen -- Collards
Shiro -- mashed chick pea dish
Tibs -- chunks of beef, lamb, or goat in sauce
Atkilt -- cabbage and potatoes
Injera of course to scoop up your food.

My wife worked in Ethiopia for about ten years. So we like checking out restaurants wherever we go. And we get great home made food when we visit friends.

Enjoy.

Best regards,
Sorghum Crow

[DBoon]

11. We get the veggie combo

If they have one it is a delightful combo of spiced lentils, peas, collards and other delights.

Someone mentioned Doro Wat (chicken stew). I'd second that and add Tibbs Wat (beef stew)

[chowmama]

12. The lamb (or goat) dishes are also good. Chunks (tibs) or ground.

And when we go, DH knows to spin the large plate of injera and toppings so that the yellow splits are nearest to me. He gets as much as he wants, but he doesn't like it as well as I do. The collards are also mine. We split the meats and he gets most of the red lentils and cabbage/carrots.

We have three restaurants nearby that are favorites and there are a number more we haven't tried yet.

[Jilly_in_VA]

13. The Ethiopian restaurants

one that used to be here (and alas, is no more) and the one in Richmond, offered a variety platter serverd on injera. I would recommend that if they have it. Sometimes it's big enough for two to share!

[Cairycat]

14. First time, try a sampler platter

Ethiopean cuisine has a lot to offer

[Retrograde]

15. If you're daring, try kitfo

spiced raw beef or lamb. My favorites are shiro, a chickpea flour dish, and misr wat, a red lentil stew.

I second the recommendation to get sampler plates for a first outing. This will give you an idea of the varieties of Ethiopian food. Meals are usually served communally, a single platter per table, and people share. Utensils aren't used: pieces of injera, a spongy bread, are used to scoop up the food. The cuisine uses a lot of spices that aren't common elsewhere: nothing particularly spice (at least my taste) but they may be unfamiliar to you.

My biggest complaint about Ethiopian restaurants is that there aren't any nearby!

[Retrograde]

16. So, how was it?

What did you have? Would you recommend it? If so, where is it?

[AKwannabe]

17. It was comforting!

All foods I knew but prepared and served very differently than I have ever had.
Not one utensil in the dining room. So that was super new. But the Injera was the “utensil” and I got plenty in my belly.

I went with my very Irish friend. And he had remembered a packet of meat or veg that he bought before work each day. His lunch. I wondered if it was Samosas but he said no. That he knew those. So I said must be Ethiopian and we set out to find out.

Enat is the name of the joint we went to. 15th Ave NE and about Roosevelt-Seattle.

I had honey wine and he had Ethiopian beer (which to me tasted just like a light lager I drink all the time. Bud Light.

We had Sambusa (the Ethiopian packet). One meat and one veg. I liked both. But I adore Samosas, so that is a given. So similar. Also the mixed meat and veg combo. Three preparations of meat and four or more veg with Injera. I enjoyed the collards very much since they were obviously dressed with vinegar and they were delish. The lentils too. And there were potatoes and carrots; and cabbage and potatoes. The meats could use more cooking …or even better, pressure cooking to make them less chewy and more melt in mouth.

I will go back there and try other places to compare. Also. Didn’t have any “wats” so that will be next. Highly recommend this cuisine and the atmosphere at Enat was great too. Our server was great.
They had an African nation channel streaming on a large tv and a small bar and a cadre of fellas that looked like regulars and were having a family style meet and greet.

Two thumbs up fer sure!