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| - Café Lalibela
849 W. University Drive
Tempe, AZ
I arrived with a party of 10 for dinner at 6:00. While large parties are a bit crowding for them, they cheerfully accommodated us.
If you have never had Ethiopian food, it is a whole new experience. To begin with, there is no silverware. You pick up a piece of Injera, a kind of very thin sourdough bread not unlike foam rubber, and use it to scoop up some of the food and then stuff it in your mouth. Yes, you're going to get your hands dirty, but it is so much fun, and it breaks up the stuffiness of more formal dining. Within minutes of being served we were all chatting and having a wonderful time, all the while eating with our fingers.
The restaurant prides itself on serving both meat and vegetarian dishes, so everyone was able to satisfy their cravings. Our party ordered a big assortment of meats and vegetarian dishes, but my party ordered the Lalibela Exclusive, which for $39.95 gives you a huge platter with an assortment of just about everything that the place serves. We all agreed that it was an excellent value for the money, and allowed us to taste each one of the dishes. Among the best dishes were the Yebeg Alicha (mild lamb stew), which was tender and succulent, the Doro Wat (spicy chicken stew) and the Alicha Seg Wat (mild beef stew). While there are all kinds of meats both mild and spicy on the tray, be sure to save room for the vegetarian dishes. The lentils are probably made in heaven, they are so tender and flavorful. Be sure to order some Ayeb (home made cheese) for a real treat. Traditionally, the food it served with a hard boiled egg, and they will gladly give you one if you ask for it. I found the egg really picked up a lot of the flavors from sitting with the stews, and was a real treat to eat.
They have the usual assortment of soft drinks as well as beers and very strong and good Ethiopian coffee. If you are going to have any alcohol with your meal, don't miss the Tej Honey Wine. It's like nothing you have ever had before.
The restaurant and rest rooms were totally clean, and the entire place and service shows pride of ownership. (This is a family owned and run restaurant.)
Four stars for excellent food and cleanliness.
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