Eden's Kitchen — Restaurant in Washington

Went for lunch after visiting the nearby Costco and looking online for restaurants in the area. The outside front of the restaurant is cute, but the sign isn't the easiest to see. Fortunately, the map app showed me where I was going. There weren't any parking spots on the street in front because they were almost all filled by bright red taxi cabs, which looked like they were waiting to be repaired in a nearby body/mechanic shop. Fortunately, I found a street spot around the corner on the side street (when I got into the restaurant, I was able to see that they had an outdoor dining area behind a fence on the street and at the back of the restaurant was a parking lot that can be accessed by an alley off the side street on which I parked).

There were only 4-5 patrons in the restaurant when I arrived. You order at the counter/bar area and then sit at a table while your meal is prepared. No one was at the bar when I first stepped in, so after a minute of waiting, I rang the small bell sitting on the bar. A woman immediately came out from the back and asked what I would like to order. I advised her that I had never had Eritrean food but am experienced with Ethiopian food, and she confirmed that they are very similar. I then ordered the platter of 6 vegetarian of my choice ($15-$20 -- I am not sure because there also was an option to just choose 4 and I forgot to take a picture of the menu). I told the woman that I would love to have the cook decide what to serve me, and she said ok.

I then sat down and waited. The wait was a little longer than I had expected, but I think that is because the cook (who might have been the same woman who took my order) was making everything fresh. When the food came out, I already knew that I was going to have leftovers. The food is served on a platter topped with injera and then with the selected dishes poured atop the injera, just like Ethiopian food. For the most part, I didn't know what I was eating exactly (I knew one dish was collared greens, another a cabbage dish, and a third was a beautiful, vibrant, fresh salad of lettuce, tomatoes, and onions in a light delicious dressing), but everything was outstanding. I later learned that the other three dishes were a red lentil dish, a yellow bean dish, and an orange traditional Eritrean chickpea dish. All three were delicious, but the chickpea dish blew me away.

When I finished eating, I asked for a carryout container and also a takeout order of the Derek Tibsi because I wanted to try a meat dish. The woman asked if I wanted it spicy, and I said I did. When I got home, I tried the Derek Tibsi, which was still steaming, and it was fantastic-- cubes of beef with what looked like okra in a sauce that had some heat (next time I will ask for extra spicy) with a side of the fresh salad and collard greens. Total includes 20% tip was between...

I learned of this unassuming "hole in the wall" yesterday and because of its proximity I gave it a shot… DELICIOUS, fantastic, authentic home-style cooking! The injera was particularly tasty—most are very bland and flavorless (compared to Ethiopia). I ordered Shiro, one of my favorite dishes, and it did not disappoint (although the serving size was on the stingy side for what I paid for it even with an extra piece of injera). This is the ONLY time I have not only been able to finish my meal in one sitting from an Ethiopian restaurant but I was also still hungry afterwards. I'm hoping it was a fluke! I'm going back this evening for round two.

to the ego-maniacal driver: I am confused… What's the problem with the food in that picture?! Give it here & watch it disappear! And how exactly does that photo translate to a failure to understand...

Really appreciated the opportunity to meet the owner Ms. Eden who was very warm, welcoming and informative for my first visit. I ordered a beef dish and was wowed by the freshness, flavor and overall recipe.

The food does not lack salt but for people who enjoy salt may find the need to add. I enjoyed mine as is and will be coming back to try new dishes and patronize.

The salad was so great and paired very well with the rest of the dish items. The salad actually took over and was the star of the dish. Injera was fresh and tasty as well!

Atmosphere almost feels like your at a family members house and has some comfortable, bright, and nicely...