I had one of the best meals for the money I've had in a long time last week at Desta (3086 Briarcliff Rd., 404-929-0011), after hearing my friend Broderick rave about it.
That's saying something for me. Desta is Ethiopian, which has never been on my list of favorite cuisines, partly because I get tired of picking up every bite with the injera, the sour-dough bread on which the food is typically served. But I expect Desta to become one of my regulars.
The restaurant is located in a shopping center that contains two other Ethiopian restaurants. This one's chef, Titi, prides herself on depending as much on high-quality meats as the usual spices. I don't mean that the food doesn't feature exotic flavors it does but you'll immediately notice the difference in quality if you've eaten Ethiopian cuisine before.
Above are two of the restaurant's most ordered dishes fish tibs in the foreground and a vegetarian combo platter. Do not fail to order kitfo (raw ground beef), seasoned with hot chiles, served with cooling aiyb (similar to cottage cheese).
It's a very convivial place with a wonderful staff.
Read more in next week's Grazing column.
(Photos by Cliff Bostock)
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Glad you enjoyed the place, Cliff! I took Broderick on his first visit to Desta so he could try my favorite Ethiopian restaurant in Atlanta. Check out my last visit here: http://disposable-income.blogspot.com/2008/07/delicious-destination.html
Thanks, Molly. I see you also reviewed Meskerem, another Ethiopian spot in the same shopping center (the one with the Early American architecture) as Desta. Y'all check it out: http://disposable-income.blogspot.com/2008/07/on-sunday-evening-i-met-some-friends.html
Glad you liked it, I actually need to go there myself and get some fish tibs soon
There's another great place I found on Briarcliff yesterday. The Great Harvest Bread Company, next to Thai Chili. They give you a free, warm, fresh slice of bread when you come in. They also have cinnamon butter and honey almond butter to spread atop the free slice. Dancing goats coffee is a plus. Heard about this place?