Ethiopian food - restricted diet

[crazypumpkin]

I'd like to try Ethiopian food before I move away from the DC area (hopefully the end of this summer). Problem is that I eat a gluten free diet, which can be hard to get across to someone who doesn't understand English well. Add in the fact that I don't know much about Ethiopian food, and I wouldn't know what the hell I was ordering or that what

Comments

[nrubenstein]

IIRC, teff is getting very hard to obtain, so a lot of restaurants are mixing it with something else.

[carolinabby]

As for restaurants - I would try the few that are on U Street - there is one at U and 12th NW which is great - Dukem. They sometimes have live music and can get quite busy. My boyfriend doesn't like the bread, so I'd just ask for a fork or spoon if possible.

Also, there is one on Columbia Pike, near the Pentagon and the Navy Annex. They showed me what "your people" like (I'm white) - and I like everything. I don't believe she meant to be insulting however - just helpful. I mis-ordered something that ended up being very good - a stew you eat with a spoon. So there are things that don't come served on or with the bread. That place is: Dama Ethiopian Market and Restaurant, 1503 Columbia Pike, (703) 920-3559.

[smoonn]

Be warned - if you order a combo/tasting plate, the food is often served on atop a circle of the injera.

And you shouldn't have a problem getting utensils. Just don't do it like an English couple I saw a few years back at The Red Sea. They demanded silverware so they could eat "like civilized people!" I gave the server a big tip because I doubt they left a dime.

[xrobotx]

There's a new Ethiopian joint across the street from the AFI theater in Silver Spring. One of the owners is a strict vegetarian (vegan), so they are likely to be more helpful when it comes to special diets. They also serve the dishes on plates with injera in a separate basket.