Ethiopian Restaurant — Review by Luke Martin
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia — Ethiopian
The reviewer tries kitfo, Ethiopia's traditional minced raw beef dish, which is warmed in spiced butter with cardamom and served with co bread, cottage cheese, and polar cream. While initially hesitant about eating raw meat, the reviewer found the spiced version significantly more flavorful and enjoyed the unique bread and accompaniments.
What was great: The kitfo dish with its flavorful spiced butter made with cardamom and chilies, the unique co bread made from false banana with its interesting texture, and the cottage cheese and butter accompaniments that enhanced the raw meat
What could improve: Raw meat dishes in general, though the spiced version was appreciated more than plain raw meat
The Dishes
The main focus of this review is kitfo, one of Ethiopia's boldest and most traditional dishes. The preparation is fascinating - fresh beef is minced right in the back kitchen, then warmed in butter infused with cardamom and a spice blend called Berbere. The butter is heated and combined with fresh chilies, creating a fragrant base that gives the raw meat its distinctive flavor profile. Rather than cooking the meat, the warm spiced butter essentially coats and slightly warms it without fully cooking it through. The dish is served with several accompaniments that play crucial roles in the eating experience.
The co bread deserves special mention as it's a traditional southern Ethiopian flatbread made from false banana or anset. It has an interesting texture - sticky and uncooked on one side while cooked on the other, which adds complexity to each bite. The dish also comes with cottage cheese and polar cream, both of which serve as cooling, creamy counterpoints to the spiced meat. The reviewer notes that dipping these dairy components with the meat creates a much more balanced and flavorful experience than eating the raw meat alone.
The Experience
The restaurant offers an authentic Ethiopian dining experience where you can watch the preparation process in the open kitchen. The staff is knowledgeable and patient, explaining each component of the dish and how to properly eat it, which adds an educational element to the meal. The reviewer is guided through the eating technique, learning that small pieces of bread are used to pick up portions of meat and accompaniments.
Value and Pricing
No specific pricing information is mentioned in the transcript, making it difficult to assess the exact value proposition of this particular restaurant.
Notable Moments
I've had enough raw meat. But let's have a little bit more I guess.
This quote captures the reviewer's initial hesitation about raw meat dishes, yet willingness to continue exploring. The moment when the staff member explains the co bread and its origins in southern Ethiopia, along with the demonstration of the proper eating technique, creates an engaging educational moment.
The Verdict
This Ethiopian restaurant offers an authentic and bold dining experience for adventurous eaters willing to try traditional dishes like kitfo. The key takeaway is that the spiced preparation method transforms what might otherwise be an intimidating raw meat dish into something genuinely flavorful and enjoyable. This restaurant is best for those seeking authentic Ethiopian cuisine, cultural education about traditional foods, and a willingness to step outside their comfort zones in pursuit of culinary adventure.