I have been a fan of this restaurant for many years but lately my experiences have been becoming more and more sad. After the most recent occasion I may not return again.
FOOD
I usually have to wait 35 to 45 minutes for an order here whether they are busy or empty and have never complained about it because the taste was good. This time we were served in under ten minutes and with good reason. The food was obviously leftovers which had been microwaved for us. It wasn't even hot.
The Goren Be Sega which is supposed to be a buttery beef dish with collard greens had exactly 5 pieces of beef, less than 1cm cubed, and the collard greens were limp. There was no detectable butter flavor.
The Ethiopean tea that was served had barely detectable flavor and no cardamon cinnamon or clove pieces, just a sort of strange powder. Again, scraping the barrel.
SERVICE
The service has always been a little strange here but I accepted it due to the excellent food. We were a table of 2 which grew to a table of 3 before any food or drinks had arrived. We requested to move to a larger table near by and were denied. There was only one other occupied table in the whole place! and it was late enough that no new tables of people were likely to arrive. After the food was served we were so crowded with plate and cups and saucers that my friend had to place one of her drinks on the next table anyway. The waitress frowned.
The waitress also frowned and condescended to us when we asked for more injera. I had my payment on the table for twenty minutes without anyone coming to get it and I had to go to the kitchen alcove in order to summon someone to take my money.
I am willing to put up with a lot for great food but now there is neither good food or even passable service. So sad.