Ethiopian cuisine is notable for its use of spices. Washington, D.C. has the highest population of Ethiopians outside the country itself. Meals are typically centered around meats, vegetables and lentils and are served with a large flat bread known as "injera" that is used to scoop up the individual dishes. Some popular Ethiopian dishes include vegetable alecha, a soup, lentil salad and doro wat, a hot chicken-based stew. For foodies in Washington, D.C., there are many culinary options available in the area known as "Little Ethiopia."
Etete Restaurant is family-owned and operated and specializes in authentic Ethiopian fare. The extensive menu consists of dishes such as doro wat, tomato salad, mild or spicy lamb dishes, sambusa, which is composed of dough shells stuffed with minced herbs and beef, and fried tilapia. The restaurant's specials include yefem tibs, which is charcoal broiled sliced beef with garlic and black pepper; derek tibs, crispy fried beef in onion, chili and tomato; and marinated ground beef cooked in spiced butter. Many vegetarian entrees are also offered.
Meskerem is named after the first month in the Ethiopian calendar. It offers a diverse menu that is composed of appetizers, entrees and salads, including many seafood and vegetarian offerings. One of the specialties is the Meskerem Messob, which is a selection of beef, chicken, lamb and vegetarian dishes served on a large tray. Other dishes include spicy sauteed shrimp, hot and spicy lamb meat, Ethiopian potato salad, tomato salad and spicy, pureed lentils.
Almaz is open seven days a week and has live musical entertainment four evenings a week, such as funk, soul, blues and house music. The menu offers a vast selection of traditional Ethiopian dishes, including fried and seasoned croaker fish, doro wat, tikel gomen, a spicy cabbage dish, lamb stew and sauteed beef jerky. Many combination dishes are available, composed of samples of beef, chicken, lamb or vegetarian entrees.
Dukem Restaurant is noted for its Ethiopian cuisine and also for its live entertainment, which consists of authentic Ethiopian music by artists such as Hebist Tiruneh. It serves many popular Ethiopian dishes, such as prime beef ribs, vegetable stew, doro wat and lamb wat. Dukem also offers Ethiopian breakfast items, such as foul, which is crushed fava beans garnished with onion and jalapeno pepper, sour cream and tomato served with French bread, and kinche, a crushed wheat hot cereal seasoned with Ethiopian butter and spices.
