October 2007 Washingtonian. I'm Published!!!

Can you believe it?
I was reading my October 2007 issue of the Washingtonian that just came in the mail and quite to my surprise, a portion of my posting on Todd Kliman's online chat on Tuesday's was in the magazine! On page 169 you can see it... It was my July 12, 2007 posting. You can also read it in my archives of my blog.

Here was the orginal coversation:

Alexandria, VA:

Todd, I wanted to follow-up with you about where I went to dinner before Justin Trawick's show at the 9:30 club. I did research Oohhs and Aahhs, but I agree that it would have been a better place for an after show treat. I made a reservation at Etete. The Ethiopian place off of U Street. I think the it was an amazing experience. I remember reading somewhere that you thought the service was very good. I think you described it as family-like... anyways... my experience was pretty awful when it came to service. We had to wait for a long time and most of the time, I just got tired of waiting and I had to get up and find my server. I was not very happy about that. It took so long for the waitress to come over to us, I had to go find her to tell her that we were ready to order and this is after a 30-40 minute wait. Also ... I had a hard time picking something from the menu that didn't have jalapeño or green peppers in it (I'm allergic). But I got the Yefem Tibs as my entree and I loved it. Next time I go back I know to order more things from the menu to try. I will not order, however, the tomato salad. The dressing was such a disappointment. It came right out of the bottle... like a Kraft Italian. I tried the Sambusa (Lentil) and loved it. It reminded me of empanada's a little bit... Do you have another suggestion of where I can try more ethnic foods but won't run into the Green Pepper or jalapeño problem? Thanks. Always a Pleasure. Lisa

Todd Kliman:

Lisa,

Thanks for the update. And I'm glad you had a good time at Etete. It's interesting: I've never had a problem with the service there, but I've also never gone there before trying to make a show.

If you're looking for other good ethnic spots ... shoot, we just published a whole issue of them, essentially, in June's Cheap Eats. One that's in the city and doesn't go in for jalapenos is Malaysia Kopitiam. The food's consistently tasty, and there's a lot to choose from. Give it a go.

And, of course, there are always kabob houses. The area is full of them, and there's a lot that's good.

My favorite is probably Ravi Kabob (either I or II, both in Arlington). You'll run into the "jalapeno problem" if you order the terrific karahi, but if you stick to the skewered meats, you shouldn't have any worries. Fantastic stuff. Really, this is some of the best eating you can do in the entire metro area. And you can afford to do it often.


I highlighted what you see on p. 169 in bold italics.

Pretty Groovy, I think. :D

Todd Kliman the Governor of DC Foodies...

So on Tuesday at 11 a.m., I participated in another chat with Todd Kliman, Editor of the Washingtonian Food Section. I wanted to write in and follow-up with him about my experience on U Street. I didn't get to hit any of his recommendations but I did talk about my visit to Etete. Read below.

Alexandria, VA:

Todd, I wanted to follow-up with you about where I went to dinner before Justin Trawick's show at the 9:30 club. I did research Oohhs and Aahhs, but I agree that it would have been a better place for an after show treat. I made a reservation at Etete. The Ethiopian place off of U Street. I think the it was an amazing experience. I remember reading somewhere that you thought the service was very good. I think you described it as family-like... anyways... my experience was pretty awful when it came to service. We had to wait for a long time and most of the time, I just got tired of waiting and I had to get up and find my server. I was not very happy about that. It took so long for the waitress to come over to us, I had to go find her to tell her that we were ready to order and this is after a 30-40 minute wait. Also ... I had a hard time picking something from the menu that didn't have jalapeño or green peppers in it (I'm allergic). But I got the Yefem Tibs as my entree and I loved it. Next time I go back I know to order more things from the menu to try. I will not order, however, the tomato salad. The dressing was such a disappointment. It came right out of the bottle... like a Kraft Italian. I tried the Sambusa (Lentil) and loved it. It reminded me of empanada's a little bit... Do you have another suggestion of where I can try more ethnic foods but won't run into the Green Pepper or jalapeño problem? Thanks. Always a Pleasure. Lisa

Todd Kliman:

Lisa,

Thanks for the update. And I'm glad you had a good time at Etete. It's interesting: I've never had a problem with the service there, but I've also never gone there before trying to make a show.

If you're looking for other good ethnic spots ... shoot, we just published a whole issue of them, essentially, in June's Cheap Eats. One that's in the city and doesn't go in for jalapenos is Malaysia Kopitiam. The food's consistently tasty, and there's a lot to choose from. Give it a go.

And, of course, there are always kabob houses. The area is full of them, and there's a lot that's good.

My favorite is probably Ravi Kabob (either I or II, both in Arlington). You'll run into the "jalapeno problem" if you order the terrific karahi, but if you stick to the skewered meats, you shouldn't have any worries. Fantastic stuff. Really, this is some of the best eating you can do in the entire metro area. And you can afford to do it often.

Etete, an Ethiopian Gem on U Street

Last week, on the same day, I had Afghan and Ethiopian food. I didn't think that that my stomach could handle it, but I think that I did well. Last week on Friday before a show at the 9:30 Club, my husband and I decided to try Etete. It's listed on the Washingtonians 100's Very Best Restaurant list as number 76.
This looked more like a contemporary bistro than an Ethiopian restaurant. The walls were adorned with photos and various dining awards. We ordered as an appetizer the tomato salad (but without the green peppers) but was very disappointed to discover that the dressing for the salad was a store bought, comparable to a Kraft Italian. I wasn't very happy about that. We also tried the Sambusa (Beef: Triangular shaped pastry crust filled with fried beef, green, pepper, jalapeno, onion). I am pretty sure that I ordered the Beef, but what we were served is the Lentil (Triangular shaped pastry crust filled with lentil, green pepper, jalapeno, onion). To be honest, I loved it ... and we actually ordered one more Lentil. For my entree, I ordered the Yefem Tibs (*Etete's Special) described on the menu as charcoal broiled sliced prime tender beef marinated in white wine and rosemary, with a touch of garlic and black pepper. My husband order a spicy meat dish, I don't recall what it was, but it was firey reddish in color probably from the berbere. Although it was too spicey for me to eat as my main entree, I think it was very good. I also decided to try the honey wine. When I first tried it, it was very strong, but sweet at the same time. You have to almost force yourself to finish the glass. It is an acquired taste, after each sip, I liked it a little better.

Todd Kliman's Chat (Tuesday's 11 a.m.)

So every Tuesday at 11 a.m. Todd Kliman, the Food Editor of the Washingtonian Magazine has an online chat.
He begins the chat every week with some comments about a few local places that he wants to highlight. In addition, people can write in about questions that they have about restaurants, etc. I participate every week. I actually have an alert set up in Outlook to remind every week. Ha ha ha. Anyways ... this was my comment this week. And of course, I loved Todd's reply. See below.

Alexandria, VA:

Hey Todd, One of my really good friends, Justin Trawick is playing at the 9:30 Club on Friday. Before the show, I wanted to get some "real" food, so I made a reservation at the Tabaq Bistro for me and my husband. I have never been there and I know that it is not on the 100's Very Best list. I have heard great things about the atmosphere, but how's the food? Can you tell me what I should expect or what I should definitely not miss? Thanks, Lisa

Todd Kliman:
How to Build a Life with a Lemonade Stand. Neat sound.

(Sorry, folks. I've been grooving to the music on Justin's website for the last few minutes -- www.justintrawick.com ... And no, I'd never heard of him before popping open this question. Kinda reminds me a little of G Love and Special Sauce, if just a touch folkier.)

Lemonade, Special Sauce ... and back to food.

I'm no fan of Tabaq, although I do like the terrific view upstairs -- it gives you a great sweep of the city.

If it's good eats you're after -- and not just a place to drink and catch up and find yourself among a crowd -- then I'd rather send you to Coppi's Organic or Etete, also on U St. Or to Oohhs & Aahhs, which has just started serving chicken and waffles from midnight to 4 a.m. It'd make a great post-show "snack."

Link to Todd's Chat: http://www.washingtonian.com/chats/restaurants/4412.html?msg=1