FeedMeDC

This past Saturday I had the opportunity to check out Meskerem in Adam’s Morgan.  It was my friend Abby’s birthday and she loves this place, how could I say no?

Right off the bat I knew this was a place I had to check out.  The small unassuming entrance tucked quietly between an empty store front and a tiny bar describes just the type of restaurant I aim to review here.  The red entrance was dimly lit save the bright yellow sign bearing the restaurant’s name.  A fading “100 Best Restaurants” 1985 & 1986 displayed on the side window sealed the deal, however, perhaps forgotten by the critics but not by its loyal patrons.

The place was packed, three levels all very small and tight maximized the amount of patrons but not the walking space, especially for a guy like me.  The decor is very yellow from the walls and ceilings to the drapes and tapestries with a variety of art pieces hung as well.  The seating is authentic, sitting at “messobs” (basket tables) on small leather chairs. 

The menu is simple and authentic with several dishes in each category: beef, chicken, lamb, seafood, & vegetarian.  They also have a handful of appetizers, salads, and their own house specialty list.  They also have several Ethiopian beers & wines.  The Temar Yej Honey Wine is excellent and we polished off several bottles of it. 

Since there were almost 20 of us at the restaurant you would think this would be the ideal food review environment, just explain what I was doing and try a little bit of everything.  You’d be wrong.  Almost everyone ordered the exact same entree to share: the Meskerem Messob.  It’s definitely a testament to the dish which was quite good, luckily there are a lot of different parts of this dish so I got to try a decent selection.
What we ate:

Appetizers:

• Sambusa – very similar concept to Indian Pakora’s, filled with green chili’s, herbs, and minced chicken or beef (we had both, both were very good) that are then fried.  The outside was crisp and flaky and the inside was moist and juicy, definitely grab it.  To note there are a few vegetarian options of this available as well.
• Shrimp Appetizer – the only way I can describe this is as the Ethiopian version of a shrimp cocktail.  Steamed jumbo shrimp with a tangy house made Piquant Sauce.  I have to say this was pretty much the “meh” dish of the night for me.  A standard fare of shrimp with a bland sauce that wasn’t anything to really write home about.

Meskerem’s Specialties

• Meskerem Messob – a large shareable dish with portions of beef, chicken, lamb, & fish with several vegetable sides served with many rolls of Injera, a traditional Ethiopian bread made from “teff”.  The parts consisted of “Alitcha Watt” which is chopped lean beef in a mild onion and herb sauce; the lamb was prepared the same way.  After that was “Yedor Alitcha” which is chicken in a mild sauce served with hard boiled eggs.  The veggie dishes consisted of “Kik Alitcha” (pureed yellow split peas in an onion/herbs sauce), “Yemisir Watt” (pureed lentils in a spicy berbere sauce), & Gomen Watt (chopped collard greens simmered in a berbere sauce as well).  I have to say, this dish was very good overall.  Everyone else loved it as well because by the time I had a chance to get my camera out, it was too far gone to take a picture of.   I’m a spicy food kind of guy though and I have to say I was disappointed that I didn’t get to try all the spicy “Watt” versions of these meat dishes.  Next time I need to ask if they would make a spicy Messob for me.   
• Kitfo – minced beef mixed with mitmita & butter served raw (or very rare if you request).  This dish is a lot like a steak tartar but it has a unique kick from the sauce.  It’s a good dish, but if you’re into raw, get the next dish.
• Gored Gored – chunks of raw deep covered in “Awaze,” a thick sauce consisting of milled pepper, honey wine, butter, and spices.  This was by far my favorite dish of the night.  I’ve only had raw beef in tartar form before this night, but this blew me away.  The beef was so tender and juicy and the sauce was excellent.  If you can take your meat raw or quite close to it, you have to get this.

Meskerem is definitely worth checking out.  It’s inexpensive good eats with generous portions in a casual relaxing atmosphere.  I’ll be going back for sure and next time is going to be all the spicy versions of their food, and of course the Gored Gored. 

Meskerem Ethiopian Restaurant
2434 18th St NW
Washington, DC 20009
Phone (202) 462-4100
www.meskeremonline.com