Ethiopian Diamond

The first, and last, time I tried Ethiopian food was in college at Madison, WI. I remember it being very unpleasant; the sticky bread that tasted strongly of vinegar, the mushy stews with mystery meat and cooked vegetables and grubby hands all reaching into the same plate. Looking back I probably shouldn't have let one restuarant experience in Madison define Ethiopian food.

Now, living in Edgewater, I drive past Ethiopian resturants every day.  One in particular, Ethiopian Diamon, looks pretty packed most nights, which to me is a very good sign. So, after  four years I finally put my fears aside and decided to take the plunge one Friday night. Again, there were a healty amount of people in the place, which is actually much larger inside than I would have guessed, more like a banquet hall. They had live music that night, one guy that played about 6 different instruments. He switched to a new one every song.

First we ordered African beer.  I ordered a Kenyan and it came in a frosted mug which I greatly appreciated (I hate going to restuarants where they poor your beer into a warm and sometimes wet glass that has just come out of the dishwasher). Next came appetizers of potato and beef Sambusas, similar to Indian Samosas. At first I found both to be rather bland but the sauce that came with them had a nice kick to it that complimented well. Then came the Injera/bread and the main dishes, one of cubbed beef stew and the others all vegetarian, one of spicy red lentals, one of peas and one of potatos, carrots and green beans.  I didn't really enjoy them individually, I couldn't make a meal out of just one, but the flavors and textures were appealing when they were all eaten together.  The beef was rather spicy were the peas were rather bland but together they worked well.

There were some things reminescient of my Madison experience, the strong vinegar flavor of the sticky bread that leaves a tacky residue on your hands for one.  But being prepared I choose to try to enjoy this rather than be annoyed by it and found the bread to be rather tasty. 

We ordered a roasted date dish as dessert to complete the meal but was presented with something else, apparently they had run out of the roasted dates. The dessert was a cookie filled with a sticky date paste and topped with whipped cream, strawberry and chocolate sauce.  I found it similar to the appetizer we started with, rather bland until you put the sauce on it.

All in all the experience was much better than the one I had in Madison.  think I'm still a litte skeptical and unsure about Ethiopan food a as a whole but when I do decide to try it again I will go back to Ethiopian Diamond.

Ethiopian Diamon
6120 N. Broadway
Chicago 60660

Comments

[SeaKitty]

i thought this place was better. check it out next time you brave ethiopian food.

http://metromix.chicagotribune.com/dining/41907,0,360081.venue

[Kelly]

Mmmmm, Ras Dashen! You must go - and try the yebeg alicha!

[Diamond Owner]

I do not like their food either. The same as asian food.

[Alex]

Hmm, your experience was the exact opposite of mine! This was actually the first place where I ventured into the spicy, pureed and forkless delights of Ehtiopian food. I went with a huge group and tried many things. Now that I'll be living near this glittery-rock of a restaurant, I can't wait to go back!

[Darwin]

I've been to well over a dozen Ethiopian restaurants all over the U.S., and this is one of the best. Whenever I've got a business trip to Chicago, I make sure I come here some time during the trip.

[electronic cigarettes]

i would love to read more from you on this

Regards

[coach outlet]

We have often repeated that the truth, because the error was also repeated in the propaganda, and not individual people but a large number of people publicity.Are you felt that it is right? I do not really think that, but can keep personal opinions!