Selam Ethiopian & Eritrean Cuisine — Restaurant in Dr. Phillips

We decided to come to this restaurant based on the online reviews. Having eaten Ethiopian food before, I was looking forward to eating here. From the moment you walk into the restaurant, the ambiance is very low key. The decor is 70ish, with wood panel walls and plastic over the table tops. We were seated immediately (we had a reservation), but while the wait staff was very friendly, the service was very slow. It took us 15 minutes to just get some water at the table. There appeared to be 3 people on the waitstaff, with no one dedicated to the bar. There were about 6-7 tables in use, so it wasn't even a busy night. The menu that I had viewed online from Google did not match the menu that was given to me, and they didn't have the dish that my wife and I had originally wanted to get, which was the lamb stew. We settled for the lamb tibs and the chicken stew. Once the food arrived, we couldn't have been more disappointed. The chicken stew came with one chicken leg in sauce ($16 for a chicken leg!). The lamb tibs were very dry and hard to chew. My wife did not care for the Injera as she felt it had a sour and bitter after taste. If you haven't eaten Ethiopian food before, the dishes are served on a moist bread, which you tear and mix with the various sauces. You typically eat your food with your fingers. We tried to see if there were any other side dishes we could purchase with our meal, but our only option was to purchase another entree or an appetizer. We couldn't order, for example, some lentils on the side. It was ultimately disappointing as the flavors of the food were really good. Just the execution seemed to have failed.

On a positive note, the sever was very friendly. She brought out a sample of the lentils for our baby to try (although our baby didn't like them unfortunately). After finding out that my wife did not like her entree, she brought out a plate of vegetable sides (that were not listed on the menu). Ironically, this would have been great if we could have ordered some vegetable sides like we originally wanted to without having to purchase an entree on the Injera bread! Overall, extremely disappointed in this experience. With all the great reviews this place has, we may have just had a off night, but we'd be very leery about coming back.

PROS • Friendly waitstaff

CONS • One chicken leg in chicken stew (for $16!) • Lamb was overcooked; very tough to chew • Service was slow; took 15 minutes before we got a...

As a avid fan of Ethiopian cuisine, I heard about this place through word of mouth and just had to go immediately! Upon walking in, the style was very modern with a classic Ethiopian twist. A few traditional hand woven baskets among your typical dining chairs and tables. The service was absolute perfection. Everyone was so attentive and knowledgeable and excited for their diners to try the amazing food they had to offer. The manager or possible owner came around a few times with witty jokes and a huge smile; making sure that everything was being enjoyed. My favorite drink is always the honey wine, so of course I had to order it! I do wish it had been served in the traditional potion bottle style glass instead of a wine glass, but a minor complaint, actually, my only complaint! We started with the chicken samosas, and the sauce that came with it was what I believe to be red lentils, with a very rich spicy flavor. The inside was super flavorful and hot and the outside was a nice, thin, crispy pastry. We also went with the combination and added an order of lamb, and Kitfo. We had never had Kitfo, but upon hearing it being explained to the table behind us, we knew we wanted to try it! My husband and I are both very adventurous eaters, and I am shocked that this is not something we have tried before. Everything was cooked to perfection! The injera was warm, spongy, and slightly sour. The beef and the vegetables were the perfect balance of heat, spices, and flavor! Possibly the best combination platter I’ve had out of many Ethiopian restaurant adventures. After trying the Kifto, well, I will never NOT order it again. Out of all the delicious foods on the platter it was by far our favorite. We finished with the ritual Ethiopian coffee and chocolate cake. The smell of the incense, along with the hot rich coffee was almost hypnotic. The chocolate cake was rich and smooth and obviously delicious. This has now become one of my favorite restaurants in Orlando and we will definitely be making the drive to visit them very...

On November 30th, my partner and I decided to venture into the world of Ethiopian cuisine by visiting Salem Restaurant in Orlando, inspired by a food blogger on YouTube. Eager to try something different, we ordered the Salam Meat and Veggie Combination Special platter for two. The experience was certainly unique, highlighting the distinct vinegar-sour flavor profile typical of Ethiopian cuisine, which we didn't mind at all.

The fermented bread, known as injera, added an interesting element to the meal. However, eating with our hands proved to be a bit challenging, as the injera can get soggy if not consumed quickly. Despite this, we appreciated the authenticity and cultural immersion of the dining experience.

One of the highlights was the hospitality of the staff, particularly the owner, Abraham, who was incredibly welcoming. He even quizzed us on the ingredients in the tea we enjoyed, adding a fun and interactive touch to our meal.

Unfortunately, our overall experience was marred by some negative aftereffects. We both experienced that same evening digestive issues post-visit. My partner had a bout of diarrhea on Saturday, while I suffered from gas bloating on Saturday followed by diarrhea on Sunday and Monday. While it's uncertain if this was due to indigestion or food poisoning, it did dampen our overall enjoyment. I strongly debated with myself if I should have called the Department of Health, but due to an medical operation that Tuesday, I was fighting 2 battles. (One was the Operation itself the other was would I make an accident on the Operation table.)

In summary, Salem Restaurant offers a unique and authentic Ethiopian dining experience with flavorful dishes and warm hospitality. However, be mindful of the potential for digestive discomfort based on our experience.

I hope this review accurately reflects your visit. If you need any further adjustments, feel free to...