Shashamene, 1909 9th Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-328-2223 , where Abiti used to be.
A new entry for the 9th Street Ethiopian row. The menu is narrower than most but quality is above average and the vegetarian sampler is especially noteworthy. If you are vegetarian and opting for the sampler, this may be your #1 bet in town. Not a palace but it has a “nicer” atmosphere than many of the other places in the area. First-rate kitfo as well.
Zenebech Injera, 608 T Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-667-4700 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [evite | Yelp]
This restaurant with two tables is now the best Ethiopian place in Washington. It is better than Adams-Morgan, better than the 9th Street row. Especially if you don't mind hearing them grind up meat in the nearby back room.
Every dish is excellent and the flavors are simply more real. Get the raw kitfo, and you do need to ask for it spicy otherwise they will notice your possibly pale face and dumb down the food accordingly.
Oddly this place is right next to Thai X-ing, which has only one table and is the best Asian restaurant in town. DC is finally developing the right mix of high rent and low rent districts to support such entrepreneurial ventures.
Pasta Mia, 1790 Columbia Road NW, Washington, DC, 202-328-9114, 6:30 to 10, Tuesday through Saturday (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | WaPo | City Paper | food-plan | openlist | Yelp]
This place is now all the rage. Every night there is a line at opening and they don't take reservations. It is supposed to be cheap and excellent pasta, of exactly the kind we usually don't have in this area. Cash only, and waiting in line can take up to an hour.
Thai X-ing, 515 Florida Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-332-4322, no lunch, All take-out (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [InTowner | Washingtonian | Don Rockwell | WaPo | City Paper]
This place is becoming legendary. One guy cooks for you and it takes a long time. I have yet to go. It is supposed to have quirky décor, and the reviews differ on whether any seats are available at all. The salmon in coconut milk is supposed to be great. Here is the menu: http://www.inshaw.com/blog/Thai%20X-ing.htm. Patrons are advised to call in advance to avoid long waits. Let me know what you think.
From a loyal TCEDG reader:
Update February 16, 2007: Four chairs, one table, A+ decor, and the best Asian food in D.C. Nothing nearby comes close. Staff = 1, so you must call not only for reservations, but indeed hours in advance with an actual order so he can start making your food. I loved the salmon in red curry sauce, the pad thai, the larb, and some amazing chicken dish with the guy's last name on it; the drunken noodles are recommended as well. But I am not not not saying the other dishes are worse.
I'll never view the theory of the firm in the same light again. Monitoring doesn't work, and who needs division of labor anyway? The coolest place in DC right now, by far.
Domku, 821 Upshur Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-722-7475, closed Mondays (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [Washingtonian | Wash Times | Hill Rag | WaPo | City Paper | Don Rockwell]
Mustard, pickled fish, meatballs, sandwiches, etc. I have yet to go, Thomas Head liked it.
Sumah's, web site, 1727 Seventh Street NW, Washington, DC, 202-462-7309, (near 7th and R, Howard Univeristy metro stop) (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [City Paper | Yelp]
From Jeff Bryan, who works at AID:
”Down-home West African (Sierra Leonean and Guinean) cooking including house-made ginger beer, rice akras, pepper soup, peanut butter soup, potato leaf, crain-crain, tola, fufu, eba, fried fish, plantain, okra, couscous, cassava leaf stew, and more”. The owner, Sumah, is very friendly and welcoming. In addition, the best African CD shop in town is in the same restaurant, so pick up a CD while you’re there. They used to have a sign by the door that said “no political discussions”, but unfortunately it’s been gone for a few years. Easily as good as Ghana Cafe, friendlier and cheaper too.
Cafe Mawonaj, 624 T Street NW, Washington, DC, between 6th and 7th, 202-332-4480
Closed.
It features “vegan and vegetarian specialties." It is described as “hip,” if you research it on Google.
Soul Vegetarian Restaurant & Exodus Carry-Out, web site, 2606 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-328-7685 (Metro Trip Planner - opens in new window) [WaPo | City Paper | Yelp]
Huh? All-vegan, no lard, excellent food, lousy service. At least that is what I hear.
Raw food
Everlasting Life, web site, 2928 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-232-1700 [Yelp]
Delights of the Garden, 2616 Georgia Avenue NW, Washington, DC, 202-319-8747 [Yelp]
Thanks to Bill Cowley for the pointers. I’ve yet to go to either, perhaps I have the Modigliani-Miller theorem in mind.
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