Addis Ababa

Cashion’s Eat Place: In fun Adams Morgan, it was actually difficult to decide between the ivory salmon, the toro with artichokes and tapenade and the lamb shank. The lamb won (after very good sweetbreads for starter). Definitely some Greek influences on the menu (the chef is Greek) - some feta cheese crumbs on my plate, a Greek yogurt with honey and berries on the dessert menu. Great ambiance - lighting in particular - with the windows wide open. - June 2008

Ici Urban Bistro: You can’t beat the terrasse of this place (in the Sofitel hotel). The breakfasts are great - homemade chocolate croissants and breads, so are dinners (tuna tartare, lamb ragouts, salads, and of course, their famous types of french fries). Leave space for their flourless chocolate cakes and pistachio ice-cream. - June 2008

Marcel’s: Great service but mostly very good plates. The lobster risotto was really good and not too creamy. The hallibut was excellent with its crusty top and shaved almonds. Finished with a very light chocolate cake with layers of mousse that was very light - July 2008

Nora: a great place for a special occasion. The duck pate with pistachios was really tasty and it was pure duck - no cheap fillings! The halibut was perfectly cooked, firm on the outside and soft inside and the tomato/pepper sauce with capers was great. Chocolate cake for dessert of course - perfect to finish the Spanish wine recommended by the chef - July 2008

Pizzeria Paradiso: One of the best pizzas ever eaten… Seriously, the dough was extremely fresh to the point of eating all of it. It was light, served quickly. The 8″ is absolutely enough, especially if you take a good salad with all of it. Still, the place is not cheap ($37 for a pizza, a big salad and a beer) but worth it. Same owners as “Obelisk” next door - supposedly one of the best places in DC which I hope to try soon - June 2008

Sushi Taro: fantastic place - it gets quickly busy so you’ll have to be patient, but it’s worth the wait. Try their special of the day, but all rolls and nigiri are great - July 2008

Tabard Inn: An former brothel transformed into a hotel and a restaurant, with a real nice bistro-but-not-loud atmosphere and real restaurant menu. The scallops and the halibut were great. The crabcakes are apparently superior, but the menu changes every day - May 2008

Zaytinya: I am a tough customer when it comes to Mediterranean food and Zaytinya impressed me. Kebbeh were excellent - close to to my grandmother’s quality, where you can really taste the lamb, the bulghur, the pine nuts. The merguez were less interesting but the “Ottoman” pilaf was delicious (with caramelized onions, garlic and dates). Downsides: the place is not cheap, it’s extremely noisy and the service is OK, but the food…. - July 2008