A Look At: Ethiopic
If you read Johnna Knows Good Food regularly, then you’re in on my little secret: I love (adore) Ethiopian food. Seriously. In ranking my top comfort foods, there’s soul food, Italian and Ethiopian, in no particular order. It is something about the Injera that mesmerizes my senses while it freaks others out with its spongy texture. Recently, I had the opportunity to venture to yet another Ethiopian treasure in the District, Ethiopic. Ethiopic is the first of its kind in the H street corridor and has made quite a name for itself on this side of town.
Trekking over on one of the hottest days in the District, I was unpleasantly surprised to find that renovations were in full force and Ethiopic’s air conditioning system was a mere window AC high above the seating area. It could have jolted my experience to a halt had I not been greeted by one of the widest smiles and warmest greetings I have had in a District restaurant to date. I actually had to squint across the room to see if that was the person I was meeting or the host of the restaurant. It was the latter and I was quickly escorted over to my “reserved” (*too cute, they actually had “reserved” place cards…) table.
I know the drill at Ethiopian restaurants now, so I immediately select the veggie combo and decide the fish should accompany my order. My guest and I decided to share and must have been starving because I totally forgot about pictures before we started digging in, hence the after shots below.
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood
Spicy shimbra asa (*Spicy chickpeas dumpling seasoned with onions, garlic, red pepper, & spices), miser wot (*Pureed split red lentils simmered with red pepper sauce) and tikile gomen (*Cabbage, carrots, and potatoes simmered in mild sauce) were some of the usual suspects circling our tray.
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood
The fish was served crisp and fresh with a splash of fresh lemon juice making me forget about all the bones pricking my fingers.
Pleased and full I can leave saying my Ethiopic experience was a good one. One more reason to add to make my way over to H street…
Category: restaurant reviews, Washington D.C.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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I love that you took pictures of what you had left when you remembered to take pictures. I haven’t posted a few things I have cooked because I am so excited to eat it that I forget.
This place sounds good.
Thanks Sylvie! Yeah i did not want to miss telling people about this spot all because my stomach took over my mind lol.
You should try the lentil salad. It’s the best thing since sliced bread (or Injera if that’s your thing!). My kids adore this place and not just because they can eat with their fingers. The owners always treat you like you’re their best customer and the food is delicious.
Thanks for the rec Erica!
Hi Johnna, it’s been a long time since we had our foodie dinner at Acadiana, but I’m glad to see you’re still hitting the blogosphere. (I’ve shamefully dropped off the blogosphere entirely. Oops.) Anyway, I lurve Ethiopic! We should set up a date to meet there so you can try more of their delicious offerings. Their beet salad changed my life–literally, I hate beets but I love their beet salad. And Sam and Meseret (the owners, and your host for your visit, I’m sure) are truly lovely people who should be a regular part of your life.
Hey Erica! It has been forever. Definitely let me know what time/dates work for you, I would love to catch up and of course eat some good Ethiopian food;-) Email me @ johnnaknowsgoodfood@gmail.com
Droooooooooooooooooool-worthy!
LOL about forgetting to take the pictures. That’s the highest compliment a food critic can pay to an eating establishement! “Right on” for keeping it real! You can tell by my language I’m from the old school.
Thanks for you excellent blog. So useful and practical for me. Thanks so much for sharing
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