Olivia Mihelick
Google
Please bare with me, this is a bit of a long post. I walked in looking for Fufu, but found Injera instead!
At Bahel, the spices and sauces they use transforms their food into something that will melt your mind and excite your taste buds. It’s hard to describe the flavors, but in my personal opinion, being able to combine veggie platters with umami flavors is not only a culinary skill, but is the fundamental basis of changing your pallet away from meat products and closer to vegetable's.
But don’t worry, if you want meat, they have SOO many amazing, high quality options.
Bahel is an incredibly cute, quaint place with a warm and welcoming staff. When I sat down, the aroma of the food from neighboring tables had me guessing which item it could be. I couldn’t stop smelling what I later found out to be Shiro, and it tasted even better when I tried it. The portions are well balanced with plenty to take home for later and the service is super fast.
If you are unsure of how to approach Ethiopian restaurants, I highly recommend starting with a handful of Injera (gluten free is an option), asking the lovely staff member about the different sides (or meats) to dip the Injera in. This way, you can start exploring the different flavors, textures and spices to see what suits you best. So far, everything is a hit! Especially the yellow lentils. They even look like creamed corn.
I’m trying to move toward a vegan diet little by little, but I find it hard to step away from meat products. I also have a very difficult time consuming raw veggies or veggies without any dressings. As I’m getting older, my body is telling me how important it is to eat a well balanced diet with whole and healthy food. Even more important, is finding food that I will actually enjoy, not just for the sake of being healthy.
I’m not the most exploratory eater, but Bahel Ethiopian Restaurant has definitely changed the way I’ve thought about food and spices. My approach to veggies will be much different going forward.
Thank you so much for having me and I am excited to be incorporating more Ethiopian flavors and dishes into my diet. ❤️ See you all again, soon!