Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine

As a part of our education experience for the adoption process, we were asked to visit a restaurant that serves authentic food from Ethiopia.  We've heard about Gojo from a few different people, and for the most part, heard nothing but great things!  So, last Friday, Curt picked me up after work and we headed to Eastown to a little place called Gojo Ethiopian Cuisine!

First off, this place is so neatly decorated!  (Of course, I forgot my camera, so we had to take a picture with Curt's phone.... therefore, it's quite blurry!  You can get the idea though).

See?  Isn't it cute and welcoming?  I loved the straw huts and the authentic decor throughout.  Not to mention, the owner has precious pictures of many children adopted from Ethiopia that have dined at Gojo!

So we found a seat by the window and enjoyed the yummy smells!  The different spices smelled delicious!  We looked at the menu, and really weren't sure what to order.  The owners name is Sam, and he is originally from Ethiopia.  He suggested we try to lamb sampler platter.  Curt and I weren't so sure... we have never tried lamb, but why not.

In the Ethiopian culture, it is common to share a platter of food community style.  Also, rather than using utensils, you tear pieces of a spongy tortilla shaped bread called injera to scoop up the food to eat.

So our large platter of food came out, and of course I forgot to take a picture, so here is one that I found that looks similar except there was a large portion of lamb on it as well.

 So below all the food is the injerra bread, however, you get extra injerra bread on the side.

So now you're probably wondering... what is it?  Well this is what was on our plate:
Doro Watt- Spiced Chicken
Atkilt Alicia- Mixed Vegetables including cabbage, potatoes, peppers
Misir- Spiced Lentils
Shiro- Spiced Chickpeas (my favorite!)
Ethiopian Salad (not pictured above-- looked more like a salad you might picture in your mind)
Then there was another chicken and the lamb (not sure what they are called exactly).

The first few bites were very tasty (but a little spicy)!  It definitely was a lot of new spices and textures to get used to.  Curt and I enjoyed the experience, and enjoyed the food, but it will take some getting used to.  We are excited to go back again though, and try more!  We do believe that it is important that we bring the Ethiopian culture into our home when we bring our child home.  Their culture is and will forever be a part of them, so we look forward to celebrating their culture and its beauty with them!