In the seven months I've been back from my year and a half in Ethiopia, I've loved the diversity of food and the ubiquity of great restaurants, especially in my neighborhood. I've had every kind of food: Lebanese, Indian, Thai, Mexican, American (whatever that is), Spanish, Italian, Greek, and even French. But not Ethiopian. I just couldn't imagine what the American version of Ethiopian food would be like, and couldn't imagine that it could be good. So with some reluctance I was talked into going to Meskerem restaurant in Adams Morgan.
Upon walking in, I was hopeful: the waitresses were all Habesha and dressed just as they would be in Addis. The tables were appropriate basket-types, and the menu looked pretty normal by Addis standards. They even had Ethiopian beer: no Bedele, but Harrar and St. George (natch). We ordered the veggie sampler for two. I was relieved to realize that I was there on Wednesday, a fasting day, and it didn't occur to me until later that veggie fare was probably available even on non-fasting days here in the US. We had a standard sampling of fasting (veggie) dishes: misera wot, k'ek wot, gomen (my favorite), and so on. While the flavors were a little bland, they really could have been from an average place in Addis.
But the injera: it looked right. It even felt right in my hand. But when I put it in my mouth I thought "what *is* this stuff?" As it turns out, they mix the tef flour with wheat flour, to cut costs, and to pander to the American palate. The owner explained that Americans find pure-tef injera "too sour." Still, it was a good solid meal. Two Habesha acquaintances say Dukem on U street is the best place in town. I'll send a report after I go...
You should go to Etete on 9th St. I think it's the best and would love to hear what you have to say about it.
Posted by: Wadzuk | July 18, 2008 at 10:37 AM