It's About time
Trip Start
Jul 10, 2007
1
26
32
Trip End
Ongoing
Saint Petersburg,
Florida,
United States
Sunday, February 17, 2008
But the season has arrived, keeping us as busy as beaver's at the creek.
The restaurant is now also open on Fridays and Saturdays for lunch, as we gave in to our customer's repeated wishes. We are gluttons for punishment, time seems to get away from us even more now, so bear with us.
We did want to tell you about a couple of new dining experiences, although they have been far and few between.
Queen of Sheba, Ethiopian Restaurant was our most recent dining out experience, and a must for inexpensive, flavorful dishes. Call up 5-6 friends and pack up the car, heading over the H.Frankland bridge to Tampa. This allows you the true experience of choosing a half dozen items or else go with some of the combo plates.
Remember to wash your hands well before sitting down at this table as you will be using the injera bread (unleavened) as not only a utensil instead of a fork, but as the actual plate, to hold the various foods. Eat it sparingly though, or you will fill yourself up before you even get to the yummy main courses.
Lots of fragrant spices and herbs are used and the usual suspects like bell peppers and onions. But the standouts include lentils, root vegetables, collard greens, potatoes and split peas. The use of rosemary and berbere (spicy chile heat)is prevalent in most dishes, but although the waitress warned us of the heat, on a scale of 1-5 even the spiciest items were a 3 on my palate, but then again I have a cast iron tongue. Don't hesitate to ask them to notch it up or down for you if you are not wont to be a fiery fire eater. Lamb stews, braised chicken, beef, vegetables and shrimp all get their dose of flavor, nothing bland in this bunch.
The waitstaff is extremely helpful, courteous and truly concerned that you are having a good time. The food comes out at reasonable intervals, and is well priced. Our only gripe might be that with the large combo platters, the tables are too small, and a Cirque du Soleil balancing act kept us busy throughout the dinner.
The restaurant has found its rhythm and some new fans.
