Wash DC Ethiopian restaurant suggestions?

Old Dec 26th, 2001, 05:58 AM
  #1  
Owen O'Neill
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Wash DC Ethiopian restaurant suggestions?

Happy holidays to all! I'll be in DC for the day and evening on Dec 31st and would like to have late lunch or early dinner in an Ethiopian restarant. I've eaten in a few in other cities but am told that DC has some of the best Ethiopian in the US. Not concerned about upscale atmosphere but am particularly interested in going to a place that offers the coffee ceremony. Any recommendations?
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 06:53 AM
  #2  
al
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Can't get more general than this, but about 10 years ago I ate in an Ethiopian restaurant in the Adams Morgan area. I have no idea what the name of the place is or if it's even there anymore, but it was great at the time. Not much help I know, but at least it narrows it down to an area.

What the heck am I doing at work today, anyway?

 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 08:10 AM
  #3  
L
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The Red Sea on 18th Street NW in Adams Morgan has been popular over the years, but cannot vouch for the quality. Cannot recall a coffee ceremony. Other sources: Fodors guide ... and Washintogonian Magazine, for their best 100. Or seach Yahoo or Google, "ethiopia" ... But I do not know whether we have good Ethiopian restaurants or not. Have you tried asking their embassy ... I imagine their staff know. Good luck. Ciao
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 09:20 AM
  #4  
Owen O'Neill
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DC has an abundance of Ethipian restaurants - friends who live in the area are familiar with the Red Sea by name but know nothing about the food quality etc. My research has provided names of at least three that definitely have the coffee ceremony - Jegoll, Addis Ababba and Fasika's. Perhaps
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 09:22 AM
  #5  
Rachel
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My favorite is Meskerem in Adams Morgan. Reasonably price, good atmosphere and great food. enjoy!
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 09:43 AM
  #6  
ingrid
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I've had dinner at Zed's in Georgetown, which was very good. See http://www.washingtonian.com/dining/profiles/zedsethi.html
Meskerem is also very good.
Also, check out the Washington Post recommended Ethiopian restaurants at http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/travel/visitorsguide/features/worldoffood.html

Have fun!
 
Old Dec 26th, 2001, 11:10 AM
  #7  
lisa
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My favorite is also Meskerem. I don't know about the coffee ceremony, but I have eaten here many times and the food is very good. It is on 18th St. in Adams Morgan.
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 10:35 AM
  #8  
ann
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Another vote for Meskerem - if you're with at least a couple of other people they have platters that allow you to try a number of different foods - all of them good!
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 02:56 PM
  #9  
mms
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I'll vote for Zed's in Georgetown. Charming, cozy and good food
 
Old Dec 27th, 2001, 05:11 PM
  #10  
Beverly
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What is the coffee ceremony? Love ethnic cuisine but have never eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant. What are some specialties?
 
Old Dec 28th, 2001, 05:49 AM
  #11  
Owen O'Neill
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Using input from this forum (greatly appreciated) and some friends, we've setttled on Fasika's. Thew folks we're visiting have been to Meskerem several times but have advised that Fasika's is a bit more upscale in terms of ambaince and decor. The coffee ceremony, as I understand it, is akin to the Japanese tea ceremony, in that it has a proscribed set of procedures and a cultural/historical significance. Coffee is though to have first been consumed in Ethipia and it's an important part of cultur and daily life. The ceremony involves green beans being brought to the table, then roasted, ground and brewed just before serving. I'll report back here with a quick report after our visit.
 
Old Jan 2nd, 2002, 05:22 AM
  #12  
Owen O'Neill
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Just a quick update for those with an interest... my friend located a good description of the coffee ceremony at this link

http://www.bergen.com/food/ethiopia200011081.htm

We arrived in DC early mid-afternoon and got to the Adams-Morgan neighborhood at about 4:30 PM. Fasika's was not open until dinner so we settled on Meskerem (recommended by several in this forum). We had a seafood sampler and the standard Meskerem sampler to share. Portions are generous - both samplers were listed as serving two people - there was plenty left over and we ate well. Meskerem does not have the coffee ceremony or even serve Ethiopian coffee. We checked Red Sea, which was also open - no luck there. Had a reference for Jegoll, which is on Columbia Rd. just around the corner from the other places. It's relatively new and in a very stark and plain basement room. They weren't yet open for dinner but were happy to accomodate us for the coffee ceremony. It was conducted by a young girl (high school age) who was obviously just learning the ropes but was charming and enthusiastic. Jegoll is a bit downscale but the people were hospitable and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We stopped by Fasika's on the way back to the car and verified that they do offer the coffee ceremony there. The ambiance and atmosphere of Fasika's is far more upscale than any of the previously mentioned places. I hope to try it on my next visit. For those in NYC who are interested... Ghenet on Mulberry Street offers the ceremony and I'll be trying them out within the next few weeks.
 

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