- Delicious, authentic Ethiopian dishes served
- Sharing a communal meal with friends or a date is a stimulating experience
- Friendly, warm service
- Convivial, laid-back atmosphere
- A bit overpriced, despite novelty
- Service a little on the slow side
- Address: 56 rue Notre Dame de Lorette, 9th arrondissement
- Metro: Saint-Georges
- Telephone: +33 (0)1 42 80 06 78
- Serving: Lunch and dinner, à la carte or with fixed menu options. Several vegetarian options available.
- Price range: Around 12-20 Euros per person excluding drinks (approx. $18.50-$31)
- Payment methods: Cash, credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard)
- Nearby sights and attractions:
The Outing
Always on the lookout for new culinary experiences in Paris, a friend with expertise in Ethiopian dining had no trouble convincing me and Paris Travel contributor Aedin Mac Devitt to come sample what she said was one of the city's best Ethiopian restaurants. Settling into a cozy corner table amid traditional Ethiopian wooden sculptures and woven tablecloths, we quickly opted for the vegetarian menu, to be shared on a communal platter.
The Service
The warm, affable waiter was very happy to make suggestions and indulge our questions. While the order was a little slow to arrive, it was well-worth the wait, and the restaurant's tranquil, colorful ambiance certainly helped.
The Eats
The waiter soon emerged with a giant platter for three, on which around 6 or 7 different dishes were artfully arranged, with a garlic-laden eggplant sauce in the center. Injera-- spongy Ethiopian flatbread with a slightly tangy taste and tiny little holes along the surface-- both complements the different dishes and service as an utensil. We relished in the delicately spiced, savory dishes-- lentils; green beans; spinach; salads, and other all-veggie delicacies. The experience was surprisingly unmessy and the convivial aspect of sharing the platter was a real experience. This is an experience to be had at least once.
We asked for more flatbread, which the waiter was happy to provide, but soon realized our eyes were too large for our then-amply full stomachs. The waiter teased us a bit about not finishing the entire platter, which, apparently, is a major "faux pas" in Ethiopian culture. Unfortunately, so is asking for a bag for leftovers, in this town...
A Mellow End
We polished off a pleasant evening with spice tea, served in small glasses. And went home contented and full. I'll definitely go back when a craving sets in.
