rev:text
| - If you've never had Ethiopian before and you're a fan of trying new foods, I would definitely recommend that you give Fassil a visit. Located on the east side of 17th Ave, it's not exactly the most convenient eatery to patronize. However, when you consider that it is one of only three such restaurants in the city, I would say that it's well worth the drive. Small, and generally nondescript, the building itself isn't terribly impressive, and from what I can recall, the decor was sparse. The space was open and clean, but a little barren, and the service was only fair (and sometimes a bit lacking). In general, there's nothing to really set this restaurant apart aside from its menu, and that's why it only rates three stars. Still, I would have to say that this was probably one of the most interesting culinary experiences that I have ever had.
Admittedly, I am still undecided on the food. For one, I had never been exposed to Ethiopian cuisine before Fassil, so I don't really have a standard of comparison. On top of that, the fare is also very different from anything I've had before, and I've yet to come to a decided opinion. Ethiopian meals consist of savory meat and vegetable dishes that are served on a large, flat sourdough pancake - a form of bread called injera. Instead of eating with utensils, diners tear off sections of injera and proceed to roll (or scoop, if you're amateurs) the main course into the bread; and therein lies the dilemma. The Wat (stew) is straight up delicious - the meat is tender, the vegetables well cooked, and the sauce flavourful (ranging from mild to very spicy) - but I find injera appalling. This flat bread is spongy, moist, and incredibly sour; and because it's served as both dish and spoon you can't escape it. Also, as you are eating with your hands and Wat can be runny, you are likely to end up making a mess.
If there was some way for me to bypass the whole injera business, then I would for sure head back to Fassil whenever I'm craving something different. As it is, I can only encourage you to go and try something new; maybe you'll have more of a taste for it!
If you're interested in finding out more information on Ethiopian cuisine, check out: http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Cookbook/Ethiopia.html; it's even got some recipes up for you to make at home.
|