(No website currently available) – Central District
How I heard of this place: Through some Ethiopian friends at least seven or eight years ago, possibly for a birthday celebration. Most recently, my friends Bayan & Hanim invited me to partake of the delicious food Lalibela has to offer.
Type of cuisine: Ethiopian
Ambiance: Large interior space with table and chair settings as well as woven stools and tables for more of an ethnic experience. Dark furnishings, a small stage and sparse decor on the walls. Relatively quiet for the size and number of patrons.
What I ordered: My dining companions did the ordering. First we ordered the vegetarian combo, presented on a large serving dish over injera were a variety of vegetarian options, including sauteed kale, three preparations of lentils, a lettuce and tomato salad with a light lemon dressing, sauteed cabbage with carrots, and green beans and carrots in a tomato sauce. The man in our party needed meat, so we ordered one semi-raw ground beef dish, which was enjoyed in a handful of injera with a white cheese (similar consistency to feta, but with less flavor) and mitmita. The final dish we ordered was a fried beef dish, which came fajita style with sliced onion and diced green bell peppers, tossed and fried in a rosemary seasoning, and served with a chili sauce on the side.
What I loved: The flavor of the fried beef dish, specifically the onions and diced green bell peppers, was tasty and unlike any other combination of seasonings I have had. The selection of lentil dishes is always a favorite!
Why I loved it: It is often recommended by my Ethiopian friends as one of the best (if not the best in Seattle. We were seated immediately, the food came out in stages, which made it fun for sampling, and vegetarian options aplenty.
Cost: Low ($12 veggie combo plate, large enough to share and leave everyone full)