My boyfriend and I were looking to have an evening out where we tried something completely new and different. Neither of us had ever tried Ethiopian food before and in the mood for something exotic, we were up for the challenge. So off to Merkato we went! We were the only westerners in the restaurant, which was a great sign that we were about to have an authentic experience (as authentic as you can get for Ethiopian food in Vegas, anyway). The service was great and helpful as the waitress explained to us what various dishes were like. We both ordered a dish, very affordable, and quickly the food was brought to our table. For anyone who has never had it, Ethiopian food is served without utensils and you eat with these giant pancake-like things that the food is poured atop. Messy but delicious and very meat-heavy, we could have easily gotten by ordering one dish to share. Excellent food and I will be back again even though my boyfriend and I both had tummyaches after dinner... not sure if it was from so much meat or what, but it's worth it and I will return.