117421 Thu Feb 17 19:18:06 -0800 2005 11 7 Chicago Area 0 641044 My restraunt closed any suggestions? I live in bucktown, anywhere near by? Thu Feb 17 19:18:06 -0800 2005 0 megan 1 641060 My experiences lead me to believe that Ethiopian Diamond is the best Chicago has to offer ... beyond Mama Desta's, Ethio Cafe, Ethiopian Village, Red Sea, etc. In general, I think the African restaurants are better further away from Wrigleyville. That said, you might also check out Bolat (Nigerian/Ghanian), Banadir (Somalian), Vee-Vee's, and Ofie (West African). There are several other African restaurants on far north Broadway as well as a few Ethiopian markets where you can buy Teff flour, injera, berri berri, green coffee beans, cassettes of Ethiopian music, etc. There isn't anything near Wicker Park. But that's a large part of the fun of hunting down odd spots; getting to know the city and its inhabitants. Ethiopian Diamond 6120 North Broadway 773-338-6100 rien Fri Feb 18 11:17:15 -0800 2005 641044 0 rien 2 641075 Addis Abeeba on Clark in Wrigleyville (just south of addison) is also good, and accessible by red-line L. Fri Feb 18 15:50:31 -0800 2005 641060 0 Dana 3 641078 I think they closed Fri Feb 18 16:59:05 -0800 2005 641075 0 swanee 4 641098 Actually, not only did Addis Ababa close, but so did Ethiopian Village/Ethio Cafe. That only leaves Mama Desa's in the Lake View area, so if you want Ethiopean, you might as well head north on Broadway. Sat Feb 19 22:43:44 -0800 2005 641078 0 Stuart Drucker 5 641156 I found out that Addis Ababa closed because the building was bought and the new owners had a "different vision for the space." Hopefully they will re-open somewhere else. I've tried Ethiopian all over the city and they had the best food (slow service though). Thu Feb 24 09:38:02 -0800 2005 641098 0 angie 6 651996 yes, they did close in January of last year (05). I have tried two other ethiopian restaurants on Broadway, however they were not as good. there are two more on clark street, but I dont think that they will measure up to the former restaurant. if anyone gets wind of them re-opening, please let me know. Sat Apr 08 23:37:39 -0700 2006 641156 0 pam 1 641063 Dined at Ras Dashen less than a month ago. Though I enjoyed dining on the wicker tables, I found the food itself left something to be desired. Your entrees and side dishes were served on a large pad on injera and you are also given injera on the side to consume your meal. I opted for the spicy lamb and this was just about average if not a little better. The sides though were small in scale and lacked much flavor at all. We had the lentils, the cheese, and another vegetable dish. Not all that great. The restaurnat was very much busy and the service wasn't too attentive. I don't think I would return. Hopefully others have had a better experience. Ras Dashen 5846 N. Broadway (not really near Wicker Park, sorry) Fri Feb 18 12:18:18 -0800 2005 641044 0 K2DaP 2 641079 I had a totally different experience service and food wise. But we usually go on Wednesdays and it's not packed at all. The service has always been helpful and attentive. As for the food, normally we bring home leftovers. It's my favorite place and I am having a hard core craving for it now! Fri Feb 18 17:01:55 -0800 2005 641063 0 swanee 2 641094 My husband and I attempted to dine at Ras Dashen on Friday, February 4, and found the service lousy. It was quite busy, but we were seated immediately. We were given water and menus; we quickly settled on what we wanted, but no waitress came. At least ten minutes passed. We left and walked up the street to Ethiopian Diamond, where we'd had a good meal before. Here the service and food were both good. We both had the 'veggie combo' and had plenty to eat. I do think it's better to come earlier in the evening, as the food seemed more fresh when friends and I dined at ED at around 6 p.m. (vs my husband and I arriving around 8:30 p). I would recommend Ethiopian Diamond. Sat Feb 19 17:28:11 -0800 2005 641063 0 ElBoogey 3 641100 I enjoy Ras Dashen's atmosphere and food but never, ever go unless I'm willing to spend at least two hours over dinner. During my first visit, a busy weekend night, I was perturbed enough to leave except that I was with a friend's family and didn't want to make anyone uncomfortable. During my second visit, a weekday, the place was empty but the service was only marginally quicker. Somehow, despite it all, I became enchanted with the place. I realized that the slow service wasn't due to indifference or neglect; the servers weren't, for example, smoking in the back or talking on the phone. And they were friendly without ever seeming to realize that the slow service might be annoying. In the end, I came to appreciate the change of pace and go there when I want a relaxing atmosphere and a two hour-plus dinner. Oh--and I've learned to always make a reservation if I go on a weekend. I also love the food. I agree with a previous poster that the cheese and lentils are bland, but I go for the meat. I always order the beef strips in berbere sauce (#34), which is nicely spicy, but also like both chicken options and the three lamb dishes I've tried (out of four or five options). For vegetables I prefer the cabbage and carrots dish and the green bean option. Although I want to try Ethiopian Diamond, every time I get the craving I find it difficult not to return to Ras Dashen. Sun Feb 20 10:17:00 -0800 2005 641094 0 Fraggle 4 641237 ras dashen is my favorite. try the kitfo raw if you are brave enough. it is delicious. spiced very well, it is certainly not bland. the cheese dish is bland, but i have never had this cheese anywhere else where it isn't also bland. the fish is very good and the #30-34 dishes are excellent. i am not a big fan f their chicken dishes or lamb that is not stir fried becaise their lamb has a very oily taste that is noticeable when you slow cook it. enjoy!!! Sun Feb 27 13:00:04 -0800 2005 641100 0 francisco