Fassil
3608 17th Ave. S.E., Calgary
(403) 387-0555

Rating: ****
Signature Dish: Yeberie tibs
Signature Drink: Ethiopian coffee
Dinner & drinks for two: $35

Most of us turn to hearty stews and warming foods to get us through the winter months. I recently discovered Ethiopian food fits that bill perfectly.

The family-run Fassil is busy with African patrons but welcoming to all. It’s the place to go for first-timers and Ethiopian food fans alike. An easy primer: wot means stew, and tibs means grilled meat.

All dishes are served on and with injera, a large pancake made from fermented teff flour which gives it a slight sour taste like sourdough. There are no utensils. You rip off a piece of injera and scoop up the stews and meats with it.

Yeberie tibs ($12) are tender sautéed beef with onions, green chiles, and bell peppers and infused with niter kibbeh, a clarified butter simmered with spices. The chicken meat falls off the bone in the doro wot ($13) with a berberie sauce, a spice mix dominated by powdered chile pepper.

Fassil has lots of vegetarian offerings, including a delicious, slow-burning misr wot (boiled split lentils in ginger, garlic and turmeric sauce) and gomen (spinach with onion, garlic and ginger).

The vegetarian combo ($12) is a great sampler of five sides, and enough to satisfy one person. But the best way to fully appreciate Ethiopian cuisine is to savour everything slowly with good company.

End the night with an elaborate coffee ceremony ($10) accompanied by frankincense.

Dining out

Fundraiser
Local celebrities and restaurants, including Blink, Concorde RestoLounge, Rouge and Nectar Desserts, team up to sell the most hors d’oeuvres. The benefit for Alberta Theatre Projects is tomorrow. Visit www.atplive.com for info.