Etete

Address: 1942 Ninth St., NW, Washington, DC 20001

Phone: 202-232-7600

Neighborhood: U Street/Shaw

Cuisines: Vegetarian/Vegan, Ethiopian

Opening Hours: Open daily 11 to 1.

Wheelchair Accessible: Yes

Kid Friendly: Yes

Nearby Metro Stops: U St./African-American Civil War Memorial/Cardozo, Shaw-Howard University

Price Range: Moderate

Dress: Informal

Noise Level: Chatty

Reservations: Not Needed

Website: Click here to open in new window.

Best Dishes Sambusas (lentil or beef turnovers); wats such as chicken-and-egg doro wat and yebeg wat, a lamb stew; vegetarian sampler of azifa (green lentils), yekik alicha (yellow-lentil-and-onion stew), and yemisir wat (red lentils); gomen (collard greens); kitfo.

Price Details: Appetizers $2.75 to $5; entrées $10 to $14.99.

Special Features:
Wheelchair Accessible, Kid Friendly, Valet Parking Available

This saffron-yellow Ethiopian spot just off DC’s U Street feels like a cozy bistro. The warm vibe is furthered by gracious service, flowing honey wine and Ethiopian beer, and platters of boldly flavored salads and stews.

At the base of each communal tray is a round of injera—the spongy, slightly sour bread that takes the place of utensils. Tear off a piece and swaddle it around fabulous wats, complex stews made with lamb or chicken, or kitfo, the cuisine’s answer to steak tartare (ask for it very rare). This is a terrific place for vegetarians—the brightly colored hillocks of azifa, a cool and spicy salad of green lentils, and kik alicha, a yellow split-pea stew, are among the best reasons for anyone to come.

Also good: Sambusas, lentil or beef pastries; vegetarian sampler; lamb tibs.