An Exotic Experience – Ethiopian Dinner Date
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I love going out for dinner.
I love everything about it – getting dressed up, enjoying food that I would never cook at home, and the best part – not having to clean up afterward.
Unfortunately, Adam and I have fallen into a routine when it comes to dining out – we always seem to end up at the same restaurants! Whether it’s the British pub down the road for fish and chips, a large chain restaurant for ‘the usual’, or take out from the Indian restaurant around the corner, our dining experiences have gotten a little bland.
Don’t get me wrong – I absolutely love quesadillas, fish and chips, and Korma, but the reason we started this blog was to get out and try new things. When I remembered hearing about an Ethiopian restaurant and how unique the food was it seemed like a great way to mix things up.
It was perfect! It’s new, exciting, something that few people have tried, and completely out of our comfort zone. I was pumped. Adam was less so when he pointed out that we didn’t even know what kind of an Ethiopian restaurant would server, but after a bit of research he reluctantly agreed to go.
As we drove to the restaurant I started to get nervous – what if we didn’t like the food? What if it was too spicy? What if we couldn’t eat it? Adam half jokingly pointed out a McDonalds in case things went horribly wrong. I made a mental note of the location.
The restaurant was in the basement of a building and while not sterling from the outside, it was clean and bright, with a few African paintings hanging on the wall. We sat down at our table and jumped right in ordering a glass of Ethiopian honey wine for myself and an Ethiopian beer for Adam. The owner came over to welcome us and was thrilled to see the waitress bring over the Ethiopian drinks. He patiently went through the menu for us, describing each dish and then explained how to eat the food.
You see – there were no utensils at our table. You eat with your hands. Or more specifically, you break off pieces of injera – a large sourdough bread, which kind of looks like a crepe, and use it to scoop and pick up your food.
Adam and I settled on ordering a combination platter that consisted of:
- Doro Wat – chicken stewed in red pepper sauce, flavored with onions, garlic root and a pinch of cardamom
- Lamb Wat – lamb stew
- Tibs – lamb sautéed with onion, rosemary, tomato, jalapeno pepper, served spicy awaze sauce on the side
- Shuro Wat – chick peas in berbere sauce and garlic
- Tikil Gomen – cabbage, carrots, potatoes, cooked in turmeric sauce
- Gomen Wat – kale or collard greens in mild sauce
- Yekik Alicha – yellow split peas in mild turmeric sauce
- Yemiser Wat – lentils simmered in spicy berbere sauce
- Keyser and Dinitch – beets and potato cooked in turmeric sauce
- Misir Alichah – whole lentil stew in mild sauce
The food was unlike anything I’ve ever tried – in a good way.
At first it was awkward eating only with our hands. Trying to pick up the food with the injera was like trying to eat peas with mittens on. But once we found our rhythm we couldn’t stop. The food was delicious, but deceivingly spicy. You don’t notice how spicy the food is until you stop eating and your mouth is on fire.
After our date I did not expect the response we received from others. Our family and friends wanted to hear all about our experience. Trying an Ethiopian restaurant is a great conversation starter and we have already made plans with multiple people to take them there.
Pro Tips:
- I would highly recommend trying Ethiopian food – just make sure you have a tall glass of water at your table. I’m talking crazy hot, people.
- Ethiopian is not for the timid. It’s the complete opposite of typical western cuisine and so you need to be prepared to just dig in. That being said it is perfect for any foodies out there.
Have you ever eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant? Would you? Whats the strangest cuisine you’ve eve tried?
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From Adam:
When Ashley and I decided to start going on more unique dates I knew she would come up with some different ideas. I was not prepared for her to get so adventurous so soon.
As she said, I honestly had no idea what Ethiopian food was and I was genuinely concerned that this date would fall on its face. I don't like to admit it, but I was wrong to worry.
Our dinner at an Ethiopian restaurant was inexpensive, different and a lot of fun. For me that's a perfect recipe for a memorable date night.
Hi Ashley and Adam,
I love all of your ideas. We have 4 kids under 10 years old, so quality time with your partner can be nonexistant! Mike and I take advantage of a small window every Friday evening when all the kids (except the baby) go to lessons to have a “Date Night”. Though only 2 hours long from door to door we make due and are always on the look out for interesting restaurants to relax and catch-up after a busy week.
Last month we went to an all-you-can-eat vegan Ethiopian restaurant. I would rate it similarily and probably not go back – but it was fun and new! I am on the hunt for a restaurant in our area (same as yours) that serves beans in interesting ways – Mediterranean or Mexican, or anything really. If you come across any during your interesting dates let me know!
Amy
Hi Amy,
Yes, fun and new makes for a good evening, but it doesn’t always turn into repeat trips. I am impressed that you went vegan AND Ethiopian, that is quite extreme. Ashley and I will pretty much try any food once so we’ll definitely have more posts about exotic restaurants. I’ll keep my eyes peeled for interesting bean dishes.
We’ve got our eyes on a new ‘raw food’ restaurant so we’ll hopefully have some info on that very soon.
Do you have dietary restrictions? If you don’t mind spicy, Ashley can definitely give you some Thai restaurants to try. Of course there are also our favourites – Sushi, Indian and anything labelled pizza, no matter what the toppings are.
This is a great post!
George and I have been now going to a nearby Ethiopian restaurant for several months now and absolutely love it. Once you get over the “eating with your hands” bit, the whole dining experience can be delicious and a lot of fun!
Also, you’re so right – the food is relatively inexpensive (especially if you skip the alcohol and make sure you have plenty of water!)
I remember walking in and thinking “where are the utensils?” haha. It didn’t take us very long to dig right in though. I’m really looking forward to taking friends and sharing the experience with them. Thanks!
I’m not sure I would be able to handle all the spiciness. But fun idea to try something completely different. =)
Visiting from SITS.
It definitely was spicy, but not a Tabasco hot spicy. If you ever get the chance to go, I would recommend getting a sample platter so you can try a little bit of everything. Also, make sure you order a large glass of water!
very cool suggestion!
stopped by from sits
My husband is super picky and woul dnever be this adventurous!
I think the craziest he will get is Peruvian!
I have always wanted to try Ethiopian food! I’ve heard amazing things about it, more about the experience than the food itself, and figured that it’s something I need to try. Plus, since my husband tends to enjoy food that burns his face off and makes him cry, this may be right up his alley.
It was a great experience and would highly recommend it. Enjoy!
Hi Ashley!
Great idea! My husband and I also like travelling and trying out new food, would definitely love to try Ethiopian.
Visiting from SITS, congratulations on being featured, enjoy your day!
http/www.ugochi-jolomi.com
How fun! I’d love to get my husband into an Ethiopian restaurant, or something similarly exotic. But, he’s a very picky eater, and while we both love food, the adventure of food is often limited to something known, due to the picky man
BUT this does spark me to try to find new/unusual restaurants to try together!
We are huge fans of Ethiopian food. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself craving injera…
I would love to visit a place like this, but I’m not sure I could eat. I’m extrememly picky about food. It does sound like you had a good time though. Way to be brave and bold!
Thank you for the Ethiopian food tip. We try to eat at as many different types of restaurants as we can. Advice is always helpful.
I will never forget when the whole family went to a Thai restaurant in Seattle. Three daughters and their husbands, and my husband and I. The menus were enormous.
I suggested that the two Thai experts of the family order for everyone. They both hesitated briefly but quickly got together and ordered for everyone. The food was to die for, especially the Mussman curry.
As I said in another comment, love your site. Easy to read, nice colors, rating scale, etc.
Enjoy your SITS day.
This sounds really fun!! I’ve tried this type of food before, I will have to go back again!! You are right though – it’s not for the faint of heart!
Really love this site (and the kind of marriage you’re cultivating)! I haven’t had Ethiopian food in a couple of years, and am now officially craving it again…
Great post. Just goes to show adventure doesn’t have to be complex, even doing normal things (like eating) can be such a fabulous experience.
Sounds like a great idea! I find most mild things extra spicy for me, so I don’t know if this will be my date idea. I like the idea of trying different ethnic cuisines though, exploring new foods together
Love your post. I’ve seen people eat at Ethiopian restaurants on TV:-) Always wanted to try it…felt like I was there with you. The pic at the top looks delish!
I too love going out to eat! I am a creature of habit and always hesitate to try new things. After reading your post, however, I want to find an Ethiopian restaurant. It sounds delish!
We like trying new food. Some types that we never thought we’d love are Mediterranean and Indian, Sushi, all things Asian actually. I love Peruvian and Chilean, but we’ve never gone as a couple although we have both lived in South America. Good work trying something new!
How cool is that? You both write this blog… that’s rad! Now about the food.
Never had Ethiopian cuisine, not YET anyway. And that’s kind of odd too, especially for me, a “food person”. Now after reading about your experience, I’m open — I’m game to try it.
Thanks! Great post.