Awash

I read the reviews of the dissatisfied customers and I can read between the lines. The typical customer, wants it all, their way with no regard to a different culture... I've never eaten at an Ethiopian restaurant with ""American style"" service. The perky, overly attentive gnat that hovers to the point of annoying. Also, I've travelled the world to places where you'll get your beer for desert and the appetizer to go. It is what is what it is. Make sure you leave time to enjoy the dining experience and bring good company. Ethiopian dining is about communal eating, sharing conversation and eating good food. I noticed, too, the negative reviews are on EVERY site imaginable. OK, we get it. You didn't feel loved. Open your mind, try again and pay attention to your surroundings. They call us ""ugly Americans"" because so few of us know how to enter an unfamiliar place and adapt to the difference. I'm certain that if you change this part of yourself, you'll find much better experiences in your dining adventures. Pros: Great food, good price, great service... Cons: 0 more

The food is average. The service is very poor. It was the worst dining experience I have ever had. I met a group of friends and I arrived after they were seated. I had to ask the waitress for water and napkins. 10 minutes later, napkins showd up. I had to ask for water again. 15 minutes later the water showed up. I placed an order for some food somewhere in there. After waiting for an hour for the food, I canceled the order and left to dine at a different restaurant. I did get to nibble on some stuff my friends ordered so I did get to taste some stuff. Based on what I tasted, I didn't miss much by leaving early. Cons: Everything more

I crave AWASH regularly. Recommended to me by a trusted Ethiopian friend,at this restaurant, you may wait some for service -- but the food is SO worth it. You can help the server out by visiting the bar there and kindly letting them know you are there before you sit down at a table. Go there knowing this, then share the delicious veggie platter (lentils of all kinds, perfectly cooked and seasoned veggies like cabbage, potato, and carrots) with a friend for ten bucks. What a deal! Instead of wine, wash it down with a hot spice tea sweetened with a bit of sugar. more

So I've eaten Ethiopian food in San Francisco, San Jose, and Manhattan, and for me nothing compares to... more

So I've eaten Ethiopian food in San Francisco, San Jose, and Manhattan, and for me nothing compares to coming back to Seattle to head to Columbia C... more

After waiting for over 15 minutes for a waitress to even get our order for drinks, we finally got our wine. ""Awash"" wine was dark yellow vinegar-juice that was simply undrinkable. The other red wine was dull and tasted slightly spoiled. We explained so much to our waitress. Instead of taking the glasses away, she left them on the table, only to have one spill later, the smell of soy saucy wine ruining my appetite. The food was average, but the service (we also waited almost 20 minutes after asking for the bill) and wine made it the worst dining experience I've ever had. Honestly. They even charged us for the wine and I had to explain to a different waiter just how bad their wine tasted to get it taken off the bill. Unbelievably slow and unenthusiastic service. I think our waitress must have been high - that's really the only possible excuse - so maybe it was a one-time thing. But I will never go back. Pros: Large seating area, edible food Cons: Everthing else more

If you live anywhere near Columbia city, this place is not to be missed. For $11 you get an incredible meal to share between two people, and for another $3 you can have a quality beer that's also big enough to split (try the Black Boss--an excellent import that I've never seen elsewhere). My wife and I are vegetarians and recommend the vegetarian sampler plate. I'd have to say that the decor is nothing to get exited about (posters from an Ethiopian tourism campaign), but the place is spacious, clean, and comfortable. They have live music once in a while and are a part of Columbia City's Beat Walk that happens on the first Friday of every month--another good value for a date. The only down side is that they are closed on Mondays and sometimes aren't open when they say they will be so it's best to call ahead if you're coming from a distance. Pros: Cheap, tasty, authentic, great beer, close to Columbia city entertainment. Cons: Slow service when busy, sometimes not open. more

Since I've been to Seattle, I've tried nearly all of the Ethiopian restaurants, and I keep coming back to this one, because it has the best food, the largest quantities, and the cheapest price!! (I know, it doesn't make any sense, but it IS a little out of the way and off the beaten path, so perhaps that explains it...) The decor is very plain and simple, but the hosts are extremely curteous. I sometimes bring my partner and 4 kids, and we fill up on heavenly food for $16 and still have leftovers!! Pros: Delicious food,, fairest prices,, nice people Cons: simple decor more

Great service, wonderful atmosphere, good food - I really liked eating at this restaurant. more