We first ate at Empress Taytu in 2008 and the whole family loves it. The incense is pungent but smells wonderful to me. We always sit in the traditional seats around the injera basket and eat with our hands but there are also tables and silverware if you prefer. The restaurant is decorated with Ethiopian art and fabrics and you almost feel as though you have traveled to Ethiopia. The staff is friendly and the women cooking can be seen from the dining area and will greet you when you come in. We have eaten at Ethiopian restaurants in DC, NYC and Las Vegas and Empress Taytu is our favorite. I should probably mention that two of our kids come from Ethiopia and my husband has traveled there twice, so they are quite familiar with Ethiopian food.
We usually start with the sambusas, the little pastry puffs filled with lentils or beef and both are very tasty. Two of the combination platters has always been plenty for the six of us. We usually get one meat and one vegetarian. I love the cabbage, especially, but everything is delicious. The staff is always generous with the injera and brings us extra. Speaking of the injera...it is light, fluffy and heavenly. Our favorite injera, for sure! I have to admit we have not partaken of the coffee ceremony...hope to do that next time.