Etete Ethiopian Cuisine

Etete Ethiopian Cuisine

1942 9th Street NW, Washington DC 20001 (map)

D.C. has lots of Ethiopian and Eritrean people, and quite a few E/E restaurants as well. The quality varies dramatically from one place to the next. Historically I usually order a vegetarian combo, because the meat dishes have given me very antisocial digestive symptoms. Let's just leave it at that.

Etete has ridiculously good Ethiopian food. Spicy, tangy, and rich, with that wonderful spongy pancake that you use to grab bits of salad and stew. Etete doesn't skimp on flavor...these are big, bright, in-your-face dishes that are sure to satisfy. The service is far more attentive than the average Ethiopian joint (which is usually next to nonexistent...I think there is a very different set of dining-out values in Ethiopian culture).

I have not yet tested whether Etete is also better than other Ethiopian restaurants in another regard...alcoholic beverages. My prior experiences in other restaurants were comical. At Dukem, for example, I tried to order a Long Island Iced Tea, and got Coke with vodka. When I asked them what kinds of wine they had, they brought me a single-serving split of Sutter Home...just like on the discount commuter flight to Boston. Charming. Next time I go to Etete I will see how they do.

At this point, I wouldn't care so much, since I have very low expectations for drinking at Ethiopian places. And Etete's food is really to die for.