4801 N Broadway
Chicago, IL
773.334.8787
(Parking available at 1130 W Lawrence for $1/hr)
Type: Ethiopian
Fancy Shmancy Factor: 3.5/5
Price: Entrees range from $10-$20
Quality for price: 3.5/5
Ambiance: Bright, casual, live traditional music
Other: Family style options
Neighborhood: Uptown
So to celebrate our first blog in a while, we were lucky enough to have a special guest join us for our latest culinary excursion. Mr. Ken Ellison of Holly, Michigan was in town for a short weekend to visit his daughter and
that guy that always seems to be hanging around his daughter. We had quite a packed day of sightseeing that started off at Millennium Park for the Celtic Festival, moved to the Plaza at Park Grill to have some drinks and watch the Cubs lose, then a walk to the Hancock building which was interrupted by a van selling cupcakes parked on Michigan Avenue (really, who can resist cupcakes?) and finally up to the 95th floor of the Hancock building to the Signature Lounge for expensive drinks and amazing views. After all of that, we were ready for some food. Kristen was performing in the Green Mill Poetry Slam at 7:00 so we headed up that way. We had planned on going to Fat Cat, but decided to try something a little different in honor of our guest.
that guy that always seems to be hanging around his daughter. We had quite a packed day of sightseeing that started off at Millennium Park for the Celtic Festival, moved to the Plaza at Park Grill to have some drinks and watch the Cubs lose, then a walk to the Hancock building which was interrupted by a van selling cupcakes parked on Michigan Avenue (really, who can resist cupcakes?) and finally up to the 95th floor of the Hancock building to the Signature Lounge for expensive drinks and amazing views. After all of that, we were ready for some food. Kristen was performing in the Green Mill Poetry Slam at 7:00 so we headed up that way. We had planned on going to Fat Cat, but decided to try something a little different in honor of our guest.Across from Green Mill is an Ethiopian restaurant called Demera that we've been wanting to try, so the three of us decided to give it a shot. We walked in and as it turns out, the manager was a guy I used to work with a couple of years back so after a brief reunion, he sat us at a table. The dining room was fairly empty, but it was a Sunday at 5:30 on Mother's Day after the brunch rush so it wasn't too surprising. It started to fill up closer to 7:00. The decor
was bright and kind of earthy with white tablecloths and...hmm...no silverware on the tables. They had a small selection of Ethiopian beers and wines, including a house-made honey wine and even Ethiopian coffee. The wines were a bit sweet, sort of like a honey-flavored Riesling, and the beer was good, but different. My friend, Ralph, brought us out a complimentary Sambussa sampler, which are like Ethiopian Empanadas and they were a great start to the meal. One note if you end up at Demera: Like many traditional ethnic restaurants, there are a lot of words on the menu that you've never seen. There is literally a glossary on the menu. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, we had Ralph pick out our 
messob-the traditional Ethiopian dining experience. When it came out we felt overwhelmed in a whole different way. There were at least five different meats, lentils, a salad, fish, shrimp, collard greens, and beets. And, oh yeah, still no silverware. Instead, they bring out baskets of a flavorless, sponge-like bread that is almost a crepe, but not quite. So we had a giant plate of food and we all took turns tearing off pieces of bread and scooping up various meats and veggies. I loved it. I thought almost every dish was unique and delicious. I will tell you this wasn't exactly the consensus, but I really enjoyed the food and the experience. As far as a good date spot...maybe skip Demera if it's a first date. Or, as Kristen pointed out, take your date here if you want to find out right away if they're adventurous and laidback. Either way, a trip to Demera promises to be an experience. Good food, warm atmosphere, and a unique (if messy) dining style.
was bright and kind of earthy with white tablecloths and...hmm...no silverware on the tables. They had a small selection of Ethiopian beers and wines, including a house-made honey wine and even Ethiopian coffee. The wines were a bit sweet, sort of like a honey-flavored Riesling, and the beer was good, but different. My friend, Ralph, brought us out a complimentary Sambussa sampler, which are like Ethiopian Empanadas and they were a great start to the meal. One note if you end up at Demera: Like many traditional ethnic restaurants, there are a lot of words on the menu that you've never seen. There is literally a glossary on the menu. Feeling a bit overwhelmed, we had Ralph pick out our 
messob-the traditional Ethiopian dining experience. When it came out we felt overwhelmed in a whole different way. There were at least five different meats, lentils, a salad, fish, shrimp, collard greens, and beets. And, oh yeah, still no silverware. Instead, they bring out baskets of a flavorless, sponge-like bread that is almost a crepe, but not quite. So we had a giant plate of food and we all took turns tearing off pieces of bread and scooping up various meats and veggies. I loved it. I thought almost every dish was unique and delicious. I will tell you this wasn't exactly the consensus, but I really enjoyed the food and the experience. As far as a good date spot...maybe skip Demera if it's a first date. Or, as Kristen pointed out, take your date here if you want to find out right away if they're adventurous and laidback. Either way, a trip to Demera promises to be an experience. Good food, warm atmosphere, and a unique (if messy) dining style.
Messob-yes they should drop the ob. The Sambussa was good, the beer cold, the company great, and it was clean, friendly and well lit. The whole time I'm eating sponge rubber I was wondering what the Mexican across the street or the Seafood up the street 50 steps would have tasted like. One thing I did learn from this is that I will not be traveling to Ethiopia anytime soon. As far as a date restaurant, this is a good place to dump him/her and ask for your stuff back.
ReplyDeleteHahah I love Mr. Ellison's comment. I, however, enjoy Ethiopian and will break- er, tear- bread with you anytime!
ReplyDelete