FROMMERS
by
Hilary Davidson
"...
Perhaps it's the fact that you don't need cutlery to dine in Ethiopian style that makes it so much fun. A flatbread called injera takes the place of flatware as you scoop up spicy hot meats and thick lentil stews. Lalibela has numerous choices for vegetarians and meat-lovers, and the helpful staff will arrange mixed plates with three different dishes for tasting... " more >>
Universtiy of Toronto - Law
Coffee, the Ethiopian way
Restaurant Review: Lalibela Ethiopian Cuisine
By JUDA STRAWCZYNSKI
"... The tray comes with five little white cups, and what I assume is a steaming pot of coffee. On closer inspection, I realize that the pot isn't steaming: it's burning. Smoke is billowing out of its top. It's no after-lunch caffeine fix, but a strong, flowery incense wake-up call.
Popcorn seems to be in keeping with the spirit of the meal. Both it and our main course are finger-foods. We ate lalibela ($17.00 for two people), consisting of spiced lamb, beef, legumes, and potatoes, all spread over a layer of injera, a pancake/pita affair. The idea is to tear off pieces of injera, use it as a napkin with which to grab a pinch of the foods, and then pop it all into your mouth. The food has put an end to the rumblin' in my tumblin', and now that I've wet-napped my hands clean, a little coffee would draw the meal to a perfect close.
Our server re-appears with a second pot. "Coffee," she reassures us. She pours out a spoonful of the strong-smelling treat, and swirls it around in the first cup. I guess that maybe, like a good wine, she will ask one of us to taste it and approve of the drink with a nod of the head or a compliment. Instead, she pours out the contents of the first cup into the next one. She then lifts up this second cup, and dumps its coffee into the third. She does this once more with the fourth, and then stops this game of musical cups by filling this fourth cup with coffee from the still-steaming pot. Next she tops up my cup, and invites us to enjoy the ceremonial coffee. The fifth cup remains untouched. The two remaining ones are left stained but otherwise empty..." more >>
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