This is another fine Ethiopian restaurant on the Danforth; my friend Mark and I tried it last night. Those of us who love Ethiopian food and who live close to the Danforth are truly spoiled for choice.
One of the great things about trying the many different Ethiopian restaurants along the Danforth is that each one has its own vibe and its own take on the familiar dishes such as the vege combo.
So what sets Blue Nile apart?
For starters I felt like it was a little more upscale inside. This is not a dig against other places because sometimes you want a more homey, casual feel. There is a bit more lighting here--I have often noticed that Ethiopian restaurants create a sense of intimacy and mystery with lower levels of interior lighting.
We went with the usual veggie platter and there were two standout dishes on it besides the usual (very delicious) suspects. One was a dark cabbage or something that had a sweet taste to it. The other was a dark mushy texture but that comprised of large beans and also had a sweet taste. Again, everything on the platter was wonderful and pretty much you can expect when you order a veggie platter. My friend mentioned that only one of the items had much spice to it.
My friend also pointed out that the injera was made with a whole wheat, not bleached, flour.
We were able to get extra injera--the service was really excellent.
With a beer, tax and tip each of us paid $21. Not a bad deal!
If last night was usual, then Thursday nights are not too busy and a good time to try this restaurant. I suspect Fridays and Saturdays are more lively. There is a DJ booth and a projector.
This would work on a date night or among friends. During our feast there appeared to be a family dining here, a couple on a date and then a pair of friends. Highly recommended!