It’s been a while since we even briefly mentioned our friends over at Dahlak, so we thought we’d just drop in for dinner last weekend and see how things are going. Stepping through the door, the Africa-via-West-Philly décor made us feel right at home on a drizzly evening, and the red light bulbs may have even given us a bit of a tan. Our waitress was friendly and efficient, beginning our Eritrean-Ethiopian meal by bringing us a crispy, veggie-filled sambussa, which is similar to an Indian samosa. The main courses consisted of mushrooms in a mild sauce and chicken with okra, both served family-style on a big plate to encourage sharing. In case you didn’t know, the catch here is that there is no silverware; instead, you get to use injera, a thin, spongy, floppy bread to scoop/sop up your meal. It’s fun, and the vibe at Dahlak is so unpretentious that it won’t matter if it takes you the whole meal to perfect your technique. At under $30 for two, you can always come back another day and try again; it’s certainly a better way to spend your time than your Grandma’s favorite place where you eat with your hands.
Dahlak Restaurant, 4708 Baltimore Ave. (215) 726-6464
Nothing beats the back yard area for a few beers afterwards too.