As I write this, I should mention that I don’t think I have ever been so pleasantly stuffed in my life.

Folks, this is even more of a euphoric fullness than the likes of post-Thanksgiving gorging.

Whoever still believes that all Ethiopians are starving has never left their neighborhood block and ventured into a good Ethiopian restaurant. You owe it to yourself to try Ethiopian food, if you still have yet to do so.

A dear friend and I had dinner at Awash on Pico Blvd. in Los Angeles tonight. Man, am I glad I went! I’ve done Messob and the others on Fairfax Ave., but tonight was my first experience at Awash.

I am part-Ethiopian, and have sampled Ethiopian food across the nation, so I know of that which I speak. Awash has my vote!

I left the restaurant smelling like spices, and I can even smell it in my hair. But the food was so daggone good that I’d do it all over again. It’s worth it!

So there I was at Awash this evening, sitting across from my skinny vegetarian friend. She ordered the healthy vegetarian platter.

I, on the other hand, ordered Awaze Tibbs; an unbelievable beef stew with red peppers, jalapeños, and spices that is meant to be savored, not merely described. Awaze Tibbs is traditionally cooked with a touch of seasoned, clarified butter. Yes, butter. Sinfully rich.

My meal was served with a side of sautéed spinach and garlic and, of course, a generous portion of injera.

Wow.

All size 4 of me was happy.

I had no shame in chowing down on this succulence to my heart’s delight. None. It was actually a cheap thrill to stuff my pie-hole with buttered meat in front of a die-hard vegetarian. Oh, the ecstasy! :-)

I had plenty to take home, too. I could only eat 1/4th of my meal. You get a lot of food at Awash. Service was a bit slow (good food takes time!), but overall pleasant. The patrons were jovial, and it was obvious that they were quite pleased, as well.

No one has to twist my arm to dine at Awash Restaurant again. I’m their new regular!

Awash Restaurant
5990 1/2 W Pico Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90035
(323) 939-3233