Ethiopian restaurants help spruce up D.C

Ethiopian restaurants help spruce up D.C.
09:52 AM CDT on Friday, October 28, 2005
Associated Press
WASHINGTON – Inside Dukem, one of the city's best-known Ethiopian restaurants, the street bustle seems far removed as burning incense mingles with the aroma of spicy stews.
On a small stage, performers in sequined white gowns thump on drums and sing traditional music from the East African nation. Patrons sitting nearby use their fingers – no forks here – to tear into spongy pancakes and scoop up exotic cuisine such as awaze tibs (lamb marinated with jalapeño, tomato and garlic).
A new ethnic identity is taking root in a once-decaying neighborhood not far from the White House, where 10 Ethiopian restaurants are clustered together and dingy storefronts are now splashed with bright blues, yellows and reds.
The Washington region has the world's biggest Ethiopian community outside of Africa, according to the Ethiopian Embassy. The 2000 Census reports 15,000 Ethiopians have settled in the area. But the embassy and those who study African immigration argue that number is far too low, saying the actual number is closer to 200,000.
Now this growing ethnic group wants to be recognized in the city by naming a street "Little Ethiopia."
Little Ethiopia is on Ninth Street between U and T streets NW. Nearest Metro stop: U Street on the Green Line.
Restaurants include: Dukem, 1114-1118 U St., NW; entrees $10.95 and up; 202-667-8735; www.dukemrestaurant.com. Sodere, 1930 Ninth St., NW; entrees, $7.95 and up; 202-234-2425; www.sodererestaurant.com. Others: Roha, Madjet, U Turn, Etete, Queen Makeda, Abiti, Axum, Salome.