4/1/11

Ethiopic: Ethiopian food in Washington DC

Once I get an inkling for something, it stays with me. For a while. A few weeks ago I started reading Cutting For Stone. It's an incredible story which takes place in Ethiopia and has many interesting themes about medicine, twins, friendships, etc. Reading the book, all I wanted was Ethiopian food. I love injera, lentils, lamb, cabbage and other gems of Ethiopian cuisine.

Unfortunately, it has been hard finding friends who 1) love Ethiopian food and 2) were available to dine with me. Finally, last Friday, my friend Heather decided to join me for lunch and we checked out the new-to-us Ethiopic.

I absolutely LOVED the decor of this restaurant. The service although attentive, was rather slow. That's something I've found in other Ethiopian restaurants I've been to in Washington DC. Luckily, I wasn't too pressed for time.

Heather ordered a vegetarian platter, while I decided on Ethiopic's lamb dish. Both were served with plenty of injera.


I loved the presentation of my dish, but was surprised to see rosemary in it: is that a typical herb used in Ethiopian cooking?

The food was good, but I did not like it as much as the dishes I've had on my tour of Little Ethiopia or other Ethiopian restaurants around U Street in DC.

My craving for Ethiopian food has definitely been fulfilled, but I can't wait to go back and have more of the food!

Have you ever craved certain food after reading a book? Share!

PS Thank you so much for all the birthday wishes!!!

7 comments:

  1. UnknownApril 01, 2011

    well now I want ethiopian food. Especially meat. I miss meat.

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  2. Debbie B.April 01, 2011

    I second that! I want Ethiopian food now too! I loved Cutting for Stone ... I couldn't put it down!

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  3. Mike LichtApril 01, 2011

    Notice the fresh jalapenos in the bottom photo -- what's up with that? We wanted to like the place but we're not going back. Little Ethiopia for us.

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  4. inkedApril 02, 2011

    Mike,
    maybe you should do a little more research before writing. A quick Google search (or a little experience), and you would know that rosemary and jalapeno often pop up in dishes at Ethiopian places. Don't believe me? Check out the menu at Dukem. Rosemary goes with lamb. If you aren't typically seeing rosemary, it's probably because you don't normally order the lamb, or the beef tibs.

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  5. Olga @ MangoTomatoApril 02, 2011

    Mike and Inked,
    I wasn't surprised by jalapenos, but was just shocked to see huge rosemary needles. But then I'm not a fan of rosemary in any cuisine period.

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  6. GastronomerApril 03, 2011

    I would give anything for a meal at Zenebech Injera. That place was SO very fabulous. You're so lucky living in a city with so many Ethiopians :-)

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  7. Maris (In Good Taste)April 03, 2011

    I have never had Ethiopian food but it looks like I may have to change that.

    ReplyDelete

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