Have you ever had Ethopian food? Do you like it? Does it make you want to visit Ethiopia? Does it make you feel one with the earth? I think I’d rather use a fork.
We went to Bati this week for my friend Laura’s birthday. She loves Ethiopian food so 11 of us went to her fave spot in Fort Greene. We chose meat and vegetarian combination platters. I was kind of stuck in my spot so I had Laura take this picture of the veggie combo for me:
The meat combo looked sort of the same. Different piles of sloppy stuff in all kinds of colors and consistencies. Underneath everything is a strange sort of rubbery bread that you tear off and use to scoop up the veggies or meat. Some things were really spicy. We all drank a lot of water.
I love group dining. We had some hilarious conversation which I will spare you of here. But I don’t know, I don’t really get the food. Everyone was talking about how great it was and how “satisfying” it was but at the end of the meal, all I wanted was a hamburger! I’m glad I tried it and it is fun and I’d happily go again… but only if it’s Laura’s birthday. :)
Its good to try new things but I felt the same way after eating Indian food for the first time…HAMBURGER PLZ! Boyf went with me and said it all tasted the same, just different colors of baby food! We did like the bread though! Forks are good…does Ethiopian not do forks?
Did you get tib wats? I can’t do the ethiopian food. Eating with my hands, just can’t do it.
Okay, I’ve had Ethiopian food a few times, and I must say that if you want GREAT Ethiopian food, go to Altu’s in East Lansing (if you ever make it up that way again, haha). It’s fantastic and definitely leaves you satisfied.
In response to Michelle’s comment, I also love Indian food! Something more identifiable like channa masala (chick peas in a really good sauce) might be better to try. And naan is amazing.
Naan is good!
I remember we liked some chicken thing too, not baby food consistency…but I think it was the consistency of the food that made me cringe a little!
Oh man, Altu’s is so great! That’s the first place I tried Ethiopian food, and I think Bati is definitely close (every place I’ve been to has been more or less the same, but this is the best I’ve had in New York). I totally agree that sometimes I really just want a fork (not a burger, though), but I still think it’s a fun experience, especially with people who have never had it before. Also … I don’t eat meat, so I pretty much always find tons of veggies, lentils, etc. really satisfying! :)
I’m with CM on this one… something you just want your food to be familiar and delicious, not strange. The worst part for me is paying the bill at some exotic joint and thinking “I could have had three fabulous burgers for what this steaming pile cost me!” :-)
er, “something” –> “sometimes.” Morning fingers. :-(