On the low road from the Travelodge and Ibis Hotels to Kelham Island, one may spot Frehiwet Habesha (35 Exchange Street, Sheffield, S2 5TR, England) an Eritrean and Ethiopian Restaurant. Hector did just that two days ago but they were not open early enough. Deciding not to attend today’s Biere Sans Frontieres activity meant I went out later, success. At 13.00 this Sunday Lunchtime, they were open.
One Lady Diner sat at the window table, I saw her meal arrive but it was covered by a Basket. I had no idea what I was subjecting myself to, hopefully a better experience than at Tunisia’s Planet two days ago.
The Waitress brought The Menu, the first page was Beef, the next page and half was Lamb with the occasional Chicken Dish mixed in. The descriptions covered many Dishes I had never witnessed before. Having been exposed to West African Cuisine in a previous life, I know that Africans like their food to be Spicy. Where’s the jar of Chillies?
The Fish section is what I had hoped for, Salmon Stew (£14.00) – Salmon stew with olive oil, onions, garlic, green chilli and other spices. Served with Rice and Salad. Perfect, but I was informed that none of the Fish Dishes were available today. Start again.
The Menu went on to offer Pasta Dishes then Vegetarian, back to the Chicken. Yes, The Hector does eat Chicken.
Chicken Doro – Exquisitely flavourful and spicy chicken slow simmered in berbere sauce. Served with hard boiled eggs also simmered in sauce, home-made cottage cheese. Habesha Injera was included, a flat bread.
The Waitress returned and confirmed that the Chicken Doro was available. A Bottle of Sparkling Water was my sustenance whilst The Chef was called into action. One wonders how busy this place becomes? Located on a back street parallel to the main high street in Sheffield it is not out of the way, and very handy for the Ibis or Travelodge.
The Chicken Doro was brought into the room, once again suspense was maintained until the last possible moment when the basket cone was removed. The Waitress had held the basket in one hand whilst supporting a tray with the other. When the basket was removed I was taken aback, the entire tray appeared to be the meal.
A Brown Sponge-like substance covered the tray as one would arrange Pastry before baking. Was this a Banana Leaf Substitute? In the middle of the tray lay the actual Food, a Thick Dark, and I have to use the word – Masala – because it feels apposite, with a Single Whole Boiled Egg and One Piece of Chicken. Half a thigh? Not a lot of Chicken. Beside this was the Cottage Cheese. The Hector was taking all this in, wondering where to begin, when The Waitress placed a side-plate with two Rubbery-looking Napkins beside me, more Flatbread.
The Hector had to abandon the Traditional eating by hand and ask for cutlery. I knew I was expected to Dip the Bread, and perhaps even eat the Tray Lining, but this would have taken me a week. At this point I still did not know how this Meal would taste. I tore the end off the Doughy-Napkin and dipped it in the Masala, not bad. Not bad at all. There was a Modest Kick, the Masala was at least – Not Unpleasant. Once the Palate became less nervous this was upgraded to – Pleasant, then – Very Pleasant. Indeed, the Consistency of this Masala would embarrass many a Chef from the Indian Subcontinent. The Masala had a good Thickness, the Kick was developing, there was an underlying Sweetness, the Sour, Tangy Taste from the Bread balanced this well. Time to tackle the Solids.
The Egg was broken up to make it last, again it worked well with the Sauce. The Cottage Cheese was worrying, mix it in with the Masala or eat it separately? I mixed some in, no way could I put all this Cottage Cheese in my body then go and sup Ale, Hector knows his limits. With the Chicken still on-the-bone I could see how little Meat there was, again, strip the bone, make the Meat last longer. The Chicken was, well Chicken. What does Chicken add to any Dish other than being a Meaty Protein?
One Napkin was eaten, the other remained untouched. By now I had scraped a hole in the Bread in the middle of the tray. There was time to consult The Source of All Knowledge – Habesha Injera – there were photos of what I was eating. This was not a Banana Leaf substitute, do they grow Bananas in East Africa? Apparently everyone sits around the tray and eats until all the Bread is consumed. Apologies for not being able to even consider this.
The Bill
£8.00. A decent price for Lunch, Sparkling Water included.
The Aftermath
OK, this is a Curry Blog, but what is Curry – anything you want it to be. I have been served Less Spicy Curry. The Calling Card was offered and the Website shown.
This was an Experience.
Later Mr. Snax would offer a comment on the Flatbread – Cornflour with Tamarind Paste. That would explain the Brown Colour, however, I have not been able to find evidence of this.
