Langano Skies Ethiopian Restaurant
9920 Whyte Ave.
780-432-3334
langanoskies.com
Rating: ****
Dinner for two: $60
Signature Dish: Anything served on injera
Signature Drink: Ethiopian Caesar ($6.50)
Let’s skip the tired old jokes: Yes, there is food in Ethiopia.
Its delicately spiced, communal dishes are served on a sourdough pancake called injera. I ripped strips of the combination side dish-platter-napkin and pinched bite-sized morsels of spicy beef Kaey Wot ($13), grilled chicken Doro Tibs ($15) and filling curried Atekilt Aletcha Wot ($10) into my maw.
Our helpful server guided us through the mystifying menu. We filled the 45-minute wait for our dinner with some delicious samosa-like sambusas ($2.50 each) and I lost my struggle to resist tasting my Ethiopian Caesar ($6.50) before our meal was served. The mitmita rim of red pepper, salt and cardamom was a pleasant addition.
We dove in as soon as our platter arrived, accompanied by a stack of neatly-rolled injera. I tore and pinched at the amazing food until I simply ran out of room. Our server packed up the remainder, as well as the serving injera, which was now soaked with the flavours of all the dishes that had rested on top. That was one killer lunch the next day.
There are some Western-friendly options on the menu, but I was thrilled with my unusual experience. Langano Skies reveals a little slice of northern Africa that many Edmontonians never get the chance to visit.
Patios
This unexpected March warmth has turned my thoughts to Edmonton’s finest summer patios. I can’t wait to visit the Secret Garden behind the Dish and Runaway Spoon, hoist a Guinness on top of the Black Dog or take in the best river valley view in the city at the Marriott’s Riverside Bistro. Anyone else have favourites? Drop us a line at edmontonurbanfoodie@gmail.com.
Leva Cafe
University students know about it, but they aren’t telling the rest of us: Leva Café and Bar is almost too good to be true. They pull perfect espresso shots from a circa-1905 Danesi Italian roaster and their gelato is simply exquisite. However, it’s the food that will keep you coming back. Check out levabar.com.
Local Cuisine
Like the local angle? Until the end of April, visit ten Original Fare restaurants — independent bistros that pride themselves on their unique cuisine — and enter to win a $250 gift certificate. Even the people who don’t win get to visit ten excellent local hot spots. Visit originalfare.com.
