Blue Nile Restaurant & Lounge

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2027 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, Minnesota

(612) 338-3000

Cuisine:
Middle Eastern, Ethiopian, African
Price:
$$
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User Reviews

Blue Nile Restaurant & Lounge

by travellingdave

Calgary, Alberta

January 15, 2007

Best of IgoUgo "Looking to try something new?" My friend casually asked me. I sure had my hesitations when I heard this, but I responded with a casual "Sure." Soon after, my friend and I were headed into Minneapolis’ splendid west bank district for a meal at a ...Read more "Looking to try something new?" My friend casually asked me. I sure had my hesitations when I heard this, but I responded with a casual "Sure." Soon after, my friend and I were headed into Minneapolis’ splendid west bank district for a meal at a small Ethiopian restaurant. Knowing nothing about Ethiopia, much less its cuisine, I thought "it’s probably like Moroccan food." How much more wrong could I have been?

I walked in, surrounded by exotic décor and some interesting, delicious smells filling the air. My waitress was clearly not Ethiopian, but instead a local college student, I surmised. The credibility of authentic Ethiopian cuisine was regained when I was told the owner and chef was a recent immigrant to the United States, bringing along with him the secrets of his homeland’s unique cuisine.

I sat down, ordered a Coke (a guy has to have a bit of normalcy during the meal, right?!), and glanced over the menu. I could pronounce nothing, but there were English translations explaining each dish. The selections were similar, but still different, from Indian cuisine, mainly focusing around stewed legume dishes and some meat combinations. I ordered a sampler platter ($19.99 - Gosa Gosa C) which I shared with my dinner companion. The waitress had no trouble pronouncing the names of the dishes featured on the sampler platter, and I was blown away when I learned that to get the job at the restaurant, she had to memorize all the dishes!

I was astonished when the waitress brought out a huge plate, perhaps 1.5 feet across, filled with clumps of food. At this restaurant, everyone eats off of the same plate! The food sits atop of a piece of sponge-like Ethiopian bread, which we soon referred to as "the washcloth." Your meal comes with one piece of this very heavy, soggy, but delicious bread, and addition pieces cost $3 per piece. There are no utensils here, either, and the food is eaten by ripping pieces of bread off, then scooping food into them. Cutlery is available, though, for those who don’t enjoy eating with their hands (although they will roll their eyes at you).

The food was delicious, with a variety of different beans and lentils lightly spiced and served around the tray. In the center of the dish are a series of sauces, which are used to spice your food. Yogurt is one of them. My favorite dish was the lamb and potato mix.

The food here is heavy, and you will walk away very full. It is most definitely not equitable to Indian food or Moroccan food, and is in a class by itself. I would definitely not recommend this restaurant to families with children, as they will probably not eat a thing. It’s a great first date idea (just be sure you tell him/her first!) and can be pretty romantic (and strange) feeding each other with the small soggy pieces of bread!

Visit the Blue Nile online at: www.bluenilempls.com
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Blue Nile Restaurant & Lounge