African Dankness

You know you’ve passed it before: that one block on your way to The Grove on Fairfax that is like a small country right in the middle of Los Angeles.  I’m talking about Little Ethiopia.  Rich in the essence and character of the distant African country, the Little Ethiopia block is home to several restaurants specializing in this mystical food.  After getting my KCRW Fringe Benefits card (discounts on over 1000 restaurants in LA!) , I just had to try something different.  After some research, Messob Ethiopian Restaurant was the answer.

Already starting to win me over with its complimentary valet parking on a Saturday night, Messob (on the intersection of Fairfax and Olympic) screams authenticity from the hand-woven basket tables to its traditional selection of Ethiopian honey wine, beer, and world-renown coffee (their website claims, “Coffee is our bread!”).   My girlfriend ordered the honey wine while I got the Ethiopian beer in order to taste the best of both worlds.  Neither disappointed as the beer was smooth and colorful while the wine was a great balance of sweet honey that wasn’t overwhelming and what I think was a hint of lemon, but hey, I’m no Ratatouille.

The Messob menu is incredibly extensive, and the details just made everything sound appetizing.  From Doro Wot to to Fit Fit to Alitcha to Tibs, we wanted it all!  And so we got it all by ordering the Super Messob Exclusive, which gave us large samples of everything that included Siga Wot (strips of beef braised in red pepper and other spices), Kittfo (finely chopped, lean beef with spiced butter and chiles), and the Yebeg Siga Alitcha (mild lamb stew spiced with garlic and ginger).  Of course, they gave us a hefty quantity of Injera, the excellent soft bread that acts as the perfect complement to the decadent meat and juices.

When you get there, don’t forget to eat it Gursha, the technique of hand feeding your dinner partner by placing chunks of food in their mouth.  Usually exchanged by close friends, married couples, and the adventurous, it is a traditional Ethiopian sign of affection.

If only I could have somehow hand fed the restaurant to show how much I loved the food . . .

Store Details:

Messob Ethiopian Restaurant

1041 South Fairfax Avenue

Los Angeles, CA 90019

(323) 938-8827          www.messob.com