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Ethiopian Diamond
6120 N. Broadway Ave, Chicago
Overall Experience: 4.5
Menu Variety: 4.5
Food Quality: 4.5
Value: 5.0
Service: 5.0
Ambiance: 3.0
Just a few blocks north of Ras Dashen, Ethiopian Diamond is another jewel to be found in the Edgewater community. I think this particular part of Chicago may be home to our small yet not insignificant Ethiopian population as there are African stores in between the restaurants, and the clientale is approximately 60% African, compared to the usual >5% in any other neighborhood in the city.
A huge rectangle, the restaurant is divided into a smoking and non-smoking. There is a TV in the far corner surrounded by floor space, but the restaurant has the capacity to accomodate many large groups at once. Unfortunately, there is not the option of mosseb seating, although they tantalizingly put a few up on banquet tables. The tables, with white clothes under protective coverings, are standard, but the extensive African art and Amharic on the walls gives the restaurant proper cultural atmosphere. In addition, the propensity of actual Africans, not just google-eyed students is comforting as you can be rest assured that your food is actually being judged by proper standards.
The menu doesn’t have a wide variety of options, and the meat and vegetable combinations use 2 and 3 options, respectively. There are various tibs and wats for a surprisingly large selection of fish, beef, and lamb options, and kitfo prepared raw or rare. There are sambusas (spinach, beef, lentils etc.) offered as an appetizer. An entree ranges from $7-$10, with all the vegetarian options under $9 and the combo about $9.50. There are around 12 vegetarian options, including the option of both kik wat and kik alicha, a “fish” entree, and a few variants on gomen, which I haven’t seen before. There is not my beloved kinche, but they do offer shiro, but not as part of the combination.
Important note: Dinner is served with ye-meser wat (spicy lentils), lb (soft cheese), and a light salad.
I am going to stop here, as I have work to accomplish, but I will leave with this advice: their food is amazingly fresh and well-flavored, albeit not extradordinarily spicy. For that reason, vegetarians, I suggest the kik wat (spicy chick peas), as the kik alicha (mild chick peas) would probably be too bland as the wat tasted more like alica. The gomen is fantastic, as is the ye-meser wat, whose texture is perfect. The lb is crumbly, but has a mild taste which blends perfectly with the gomen. From what I hear, the kitfo is excellent.
The service is also fantastic.