Discussion of Robin Garr's Addis Bar & Grill review

[Robin Garr]

Addis Bar & Grill offers tastes of Ethiopia and more
LEO's Eats with Robin Garr



Ethiopia is a historic East African country that most Americans probably don’t know much about, save perhaps for sad images of hungry children suffering from famines in that troubled region.

But Ethiopia is worth getting to know. The only country in Africa that largely escaped colonialism, it boasts a proud heritage as a monarchy with roots extending back more than 2,500 years. It has been a Christian center since missionaries from Carthage planted a church in the third century. Haile Selassie, its emperor from 1930 until 1974, is known not only for his long, stable reign, but for having been declared the second coming by the Rastafari, for whom ganja, perhaps not coincidentally, is a sacrament.

Fortunately, no ganja is required for the enjoyment of Ethiopian food; and we have a new place to enjoy it with the recent arrival downtown of Addis Bar & Grill, named after Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa.

Addis, formerly Lunchbox, has had a name transplant to highlight the Ethiopian aspect of its eclectic cuisine. It appears to be a popular spot for downtown workers on a quick lunch break, doing a very heavy takeout and eat-in business on a recent weekday, and even the bar seemed to be selling a lot of Bud and Bud Light to workers whose job situation permits such midday indulgence.

The venue is attractive, bright and clean, tomato-sauce red with accents of cream, heavy blonde wood tables and comfortable chairs, paper napkins and plastic service ware.

I can’t briefly describe the scene any more effectively than the folks at Addis do themselves, in lovably accented Ethiopian English on their Website: “Addis grill is the vegetarian paradise, and our appetizer such as our hummus, Kabobs, freshly grilled Fajita or Burritos, curries and Ethiopian vegetarian are the most admired dishes, that why we become the second busy lunch place in few months.”

Sounds good to me! We met our pal Jerry, who works nearby, and settled in for a hearty, affordable lunch.

Read the full review on LouisvilleHotBytes,
http://www.louisvillehotbytes.com/addis ... a-and-more

And in LEO Weekly:
http://leoweekly.com/dining/addis-bar-g ... a-and-more

Addis Bar & Grill
109 S. Fourth St.
581-1011
http://www.addisgrill.com
Rating: 85

Well, I'm glad to see they've added Ethiopian fare to the menu. When I went a couple months ago, none of that was on the menu - which confused me a bit, given the name. I'll have to go back and sample it!

Suzi and I went down for supper this evening. Last night in Louisville for a few days as we head to Berea for a get away tomorrow. Tips and ideas about that area accepted.

We had a wonderful meal. They were not busy at all when we got there about 7ish. One couple with a toddler.

We started with: Stuffed Grape Leaves: $4.50 Four (4)roles of house made stuffed grape Leaves with rice and vegetables. These were excellent.

Suzi got: Kitfo (Beef) $13.99 Delicately chopped lean beef seasoned with assorted spices and hot chili pepper “mitmita”,served raw or cooked lightly! Wonderful dish. Well spiced and then on the side is some HOT repeat HOT sauce if you want it. She got it slightly cooked. I sampled and it was nice. Good in the injera bread.

I had: Yebeg Awaze Tibs (Lamb) $12.95 Strips of tender lamb sautéed with awaze and sautéed with tomato, jalapeno and onions and seasoned with herbs mixed Ethiopian butter. NOTE: It is mis-described on the web site. it is pieces of lamb and meat on bones. One of my pieces was a lamb chop. The first bite was awesome then the hotness of the jalapeño hits you. It was too good. A bowl was covered with a huge piece of injera and then the dish was ladled into it. There were three large rolled up pieces of injera. I also had a side of Gomen Wot (Collard green).

Have to recommend this place. And, I would like to suggest we have an offline there some evening. It is not large but big enough for one of our smaller dinner get togethers. There is a bar as well.

I can see why it is busy at lunch.

Robin, the chef/owner/boss/waitress was too happy with the review. She'll probably be crushed at lunch tomorrow.

Richard