Lalibela Ethiopian Restaurant

This Edgewater restaurant named for the northern Ethiopian city known for its centuries-old rock-hewn churches is just off the Clark Street restaurant strip--but it's worth a minor detour for authentic Ethiopian fare. Look for veggie choices such as yemisir wat, lentils cooked with chopped onion, garlic, ginger, olive oil and berbere sauce, and gomen, collard greens sauteed with onion, fresh garlic, ginger and spices. Meaty choices include kwanta firfir, injera (that spongy Ethiopian bread) soaked in spiced red pepper sauce with beef, and ybege alicha, slow-braised lamb in a mild green pepper-butter sauce with ginger, rosemary and jalapenos. BYOB or go for traditional beverages such as hot tea with Ethiopian spices or Ethiopian-style coffee.