Addis Red Sea

[rchudy]

anyone been? for some reason it popped into my head today that I wanted to go tonight. Any recommendations?

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Red Sea Cafe
1127 Harrison Ave, Roxbury, MA 02119

[Kirs]

Addis is good for beginning Ethiopian adventures- especially if you are dining with folks who are wimpy bland food eaters and disdain anything spicy. I still love Addis despite it's many flaws, though. The flavors are authentic, if a little mild on occassion.

I have to agree with everyone else- Habesha is probably the most authentic Ethiopian we have in the area. Husband says the kitfo was as good as anything he had in Ethiopia- and I felt the same way about the vegetarian dishes. Another good option is Asmara, but the service there is even more spotty than at Addis. The food, however, is very tasty and authentic. They actually use teff for their injera and it tastes properly fermented.

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Habesha Restaurant
535 Main St, Malden, MA

[Bob Dobalina]

Any feedback on the Mass. Ave. location in Cambridge near Porter, as opposed to the SE?

[chilibaby]

Bland. They don't even have teff injera, which ironically is sold at the Gourmet Express in Porter Sq as well as a variety of convenience stores in the area.
Fasika is a much better bet.

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Fasika
147 Broadway, Somerville, MA 02145

[fatty_mouthfeel]

Just to clarify, Gourmet Express sells teff injera, or it sells teff flour? And which other stores? I moved to the area recently and haven't found a place yet that sells good 100% teff injera. The stuff you usually find is 50/50.

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Gourmet Express
1864 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02140

[Science Chick]

BTW, the link in the OP's post is incorrect. Red Sea Cafe is different than Addis Red Sea, which is on Tremont (or Porter Sq)

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Addis Red Sea Ethiopian Restaurant
544 Tremont St, Boston, MA 02116

[rchudy]

Man, now I have to re-think this whole dinner thing. Where do I want to eat??

[TroyOLeary]

Small sample size and all, but I've always enjoyed Addis Red Sea in the South End. Definitely enjoyed the food, and don't remember the service being particularly, well, memorable -- good or bad.

The chopped collard greens (gomen wot ?) in particular were oily and peppery and delicious a few months ago.

[scratchie]

I've always liked Addis, although the service can be spotty at times. They have a place in Cambridge now (between Harvard & Porter). I appreciate the recommendation for the place in Malden.

[Eatin in Woostah]

You want to eat at Habesha. Get on the T and get out there. You won't regret the trip.

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Habesha Restaurant
535 Main St, Malden, MA

[rchudy]

went in a completely different direction and ate at La Morra instead. Overall, not very impressed.

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La Morra
48 Boylston Street, Brookline, MA 02445

[Eatin in Woostah]

That's too bad, especially when you have a craving for something specific.

[Soxfan49]

I've been there a few times as it's right around the corner and have always enjoyed the food. The service is definitely lacking. I've always been seated quickly, but after that the service is minimal at best. The staff is friendly but often don't check on us between delivering the food and dropping the check. As far as the food is concerning, it's good, but by no means amazing. Not the type of place I would go out of my way to visit.

[Science Chick]

Just to be clear, I'm not talking about service in the way of checking on us alot, friendliness, etc. I'm talking about waiting 20 minutes to take our order, and 45 minutes after that to even get our appetizers.....that's with the place only half full. I don't mind a leisurely meal, but this was ridiculous. Other parties were getting up and leaving out of shear frustration.

[Luther]

Recommendation: go to Habesha.

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Habesha Restaurant
535 Main St, Malden, MA

[Taralli]

Absolutely, Habesha in Malden: http://www.habeshadining.com/

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Habesha Restaurant
535 Main St, Malden, MA

[drbangha]

Third Habesha.

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Habesha Restaurant
535 Main St, Malden, MA

[aadesmd]

Sold on Habesha. Any advice as to what to order? How are the raw beef and lamb dishes? Can't wait to go. I also found Addis Red Sea rather boring.

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Habesha Restaurant
535 Main St, Malden, MA

Red Sea Cafe
1127 Harrison Ave, Roxbury, MA 02119

[Ladycale]

Their combination specials give a good variety. When I go with friends we generally order a veggie combo then a meat dish or two.

I haven't actually ordered any lamb dishes there but their kitfo was excellent the one time I ordered it.

[Luther]

For raw beef, I strongly endorse the gored gored (big chunks in a cardamom-flavored red sauce).

[Aromatherapy]

I found that a little... dull after the first couple bites and prefer the kifto, which has been excellent.

[Taralli]

Same here - I prefer the kifto.

[drbangha]

I am hardly a vegeterian but we had the vegetarian sampler and the doro wat for dinner last Friday, absolutely delish.

[Science Chick]

I've only been once, about 1-2 years ago, to the South End location. It was a pretty miserable experience overall. We waited an excruciatingly long time to be seated in a half-empty room. Seating was pretty uncomfortable IIRC. Service was poor, and it took forever to be waited on and served our food. The food was fine, nothing amazing...but solid. We haven't returned b/c of the service/comfort factors.