I think trying new food was a great experience for me. I have always been a pretty picky eater and have ever really gone out of my comfort zone to try new foods, let alone from a different culture. Before trying Ethiopian food, I had no idea what it even was. I learned that they do eat a lot of the same things we eat (chicken, beef, lamb, mushrooms, beans, etc.), however; they season it differently. The food reminded me of a spicier roast. I was caught off guard when I first felt the texture of the tefe because I was not expecting it to feel like a sponge. Once I got over the texture, I actually liked the tefe, which was a surprise to me. I also found it very interesting how they eat with bread, versus utensils or just their hands. At first, I felt a little uncomfortable about not eating with utensils. I think this was just due to the fact that I was always told not eat with my hands when it came to food that was not seen as "finger food" in our culture. It showed me the difference between my culture and another on the view of what "finger food" is. Overall, I think this was a great experience to take me out of my comfort zone and show me how another culture eats. Rachel Mears
I agree that the texture and spice of the foods were very different than what I eat for my normal meals as well. The tefe was very good and it turned a meal that we would of assumed would be eaten with a fork into finger food. Mike Hufker
I also felt kind of weird when I first at Ethiopian food with my hands, as it is very different to our culture. However it is kind of nice not having to use utensils and it feels a lot less formal and chilled out at the dinner table.
I agree, the bread definitely caught me off guard too because it was nothing like anything I have every had before. The carrots and the green beans reminded me of a roast too. I think this was a great experience to try new things and learn about another culture other than our own.
I thought it was interesting to watch you get out of your comfort zone since I know that you are sort of particular with your foods. I was a bit skeptical myself, but I think in the end we both came out with a positive experience and learned about more than just the food.
I really enjoyed the trip to the Blue Nile, it was definitely a different experience for me and I always enjoy trying new food. The food was very interesting and using the bread as a utensil was certainly a new experience. I personally like to turn everything I eat into a burrito or sandwich so I actually loved using the sponge bread to eat. While the food was good the mango juice there was suburb and easily my favorite thing about the restaurant. The decor of the restaurant was also very interesting. I specifically liked the tribal mask on the one wall and I thought it added a lot of culture into the restaurant. To top off the meal the steamed towel at the end to wash your hands, gave you a refreshing feeling and made me leave the restaurant very happy. Mike Hufker
I can definitely echo your sentiments- the mango juice was superb, and turning everything into a burrito is something I often do as well. I didn't notice too many decorations- I'll have to try to be more observant of the atmosphere of the restaurant and how that contributes to the overall experience next time. I also forgot to mention the steamed towel in my blog post- I definitely thought they were bringing us steaming burritos or some sort. Hah, I don't know if I could have eaten much more, so I'm glad they were in fact towels.
I also agree that the atmosphere of the restaurant was nice. I feel that the atmosphere of any restaurant plays a significant role in the whole cultural experience.
Going to the Blue Nile was a really interesting experience for me. I had never been to an Ethiopian restaurant and had no idea what to expect. At first I was nervous that it would be too spicy for me, but I wanted to make sure that I tried everything. I was surprised at how much I actually liked most of the food! Although uncomfortable at first, I really enjoyed eating with the tefe! My favorite was actually the lamb, which I was most afraid to try. This experience made me want to be more adventurous when choosing a place for dinner!
It was a good time, the food was good as well as the setting. Although I could tell the food was not as spicy as it should have been, I only wonder if the missing ingredients would change the taste of the food much. Aaron Wiggins
I thought it was going to too spicy for me as well, but I also agree with Aaron on his point. I wonder what the food would taste like if there were more spices added.
The lamb was my favorite as well, and I don't know why as Americans we always seem to be afraid of lamb as a protein in our cuisine. I have been to 4 other countries and in each lamb has been much more prevalent of a meat option. I wonder why it is not so in the US?
Going to the Blue Nile was a very enjoyable experience for me as I have been to other Ethiopian restaurants in KC a few times before with classmates Kyle Spain and Danny Adams thanks to Kyle's parents so this was a familiar experience for me and one I was happy to experience again. The décor of the restaurant was interesting to look at and embraced the culture well. I think you could see from the amount that I ate that I really enjoyed the Ethiopian food, I especially liked the meats on offer with the lamb being my favourite. I am a big fan of spicy foods as we eat a lot of them back in England so the spice was not an issue for me. I also really enjoyed the mango juice. Louis Gallagher
I liked the fact that the dish did have different meats just because I do like a wide variety of meat and of course the vegetables on the plate were very good to me. My favorite was also the lamb and I think it was because it was a new food I haven't had before. In other words chicken is such a common thing to have, it made the lamb that much better because it was a new food.
Last night was a really nice experience. I haven't ever been to an ethiopian restaurant before so it was a whole new way to have food for me. It was even more enjoyable that we went to the next level and didn't use utensils to eat as well as just tasting the food. I always have enjoyed having meals that actually matter more than just driving through a fast food place for something quick and almost always unhealthy. It is nice to actually sit down and have meaningful conversations with people, even if it isn't a group you are familiar with. The food was actually really good too. I personally love extra spicy food so for me it definitely hit the spot. The only thing that didn't work out as well was that the bread filled me up so fast that I was full before I even got to try everything that they had provided! However, what I did try was all wonderful. Michaella Schartz
I liked that you added the communication part. It is different to sit around a table and share a meal with people, it fosters conversation. The food was good and to be able to sit and enjoy it with others while we had good conversation just made it that much more enjoyable. Aaron Wiggins
I agree that the Injera was very filling and I couldn't enjoy all the different kinds of foods. I found it difficult for myself to pick up a good amount in the Injera so I had to consume more of the bread, thus filling me up quickly.
I have never been to an ethnic restaurant so I had my doubts about going, but going to the Blue Nile was an overall good experience. It is not to often that you get the chance to try new food and the food was very well prepared. I also liked the plating used in the dish, putting the Injera bread at the bottom. To me the Injera was the most interesting part, I did not expect to like it based on how it felt, but it complimented everything well. The restaurant was also a good place. Looking at all the awards and decorations around really set the atmosphere. I have to agree though, the mango juice was one of a kind, not something you can find very easily. Aaron Wiggins
I agree with the Injera being the most interesting part of the meal because I never seen a bread like that before and it was almost like a sponge, but it made the whole experience a lot better with just using the bread to eat the food and it was very filling.
Like many of my classmates, this was one of my first experiences at an Ethnic restaurant. I'm not the adventurous type to go out and try new restaurants, or even or order dishes I'm unfamiliar with. Fortunately, going to the Blue Nile and being responsible for experiencing a new cuisine was really fresh and exciting. I enjoyed most all of the food- in fact, I saw definite parallels between foods we commonly eat and the Ethiopian cuisine. I'm sure some of that can be accounted for a bit of "American-ized Ethiopia", given that the restaurant is in Kansas, but nonetheless, it broke down a barrier that I had with unfamiliarity. Ethnic cuisine uses many of the same ingredients that we commonly eat- it's really not that weird, and I really enjoyed it.
As for specific foods, I have to say that the sambusa appetizer was my personal favorite. It was sort of like an egg roll dipped into a spicy marinara- very enjoyable! The bread was also delicious and quite filling. Alexi, Caitlin, and I seemed to barely eat much off our big dish until we were full.
I learned how much I depend on silverware. I kept reaching for my fork and knife so I could pick at the food. But being without silverware forced me to really dive in and actually take big bites, rather than tentatively scoop only the things I wanted onto my plate. I think being without something that I'm comfortable with enabled me to embrace the experience and really just go for it.
To recap, I really enjoyed the beef, sambusa, collared greens, and potatoes. I didn't care much for the lamb or split peas, though I seemed to be in the minority with how much others raved about the lamb. I also loved the mango juice and suspect I'll be stopping in regularly the next time I'm in the river market! The experience of trying new cuisine was something I wouldn't normally do, and I'm glad for the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and embrace a previously unknown food & culture.
I agree with what you said about utensils because I found myself at times looking to pick up my fork to eat. I thought it made the experience better not having utensils because it allowed us to really dive into another culture. It definitely allowed me to embrace the experience and get out of my comfort zone. Yes, the mango juice was awesome!
I was pretty skeptical at first about eating at The Blue Nile because I'm not a huge fan of trying new things, especially foods from other cultures. I figured that opening my mind to new foods and new experiences would not only better me in this class but also later in life. I ended up liking some dishes more than others but overall the meal was pretty tasty! One challenge that I had was the lack of utensils. I found myself looking around for them just because we are so used to having them at every meal, but it was nice experiencing using the Injera as the utensil. I do have to say that the Sambusa was definitely my favorite, along with the mango juice of course! Overall, I'm glad that I allowed myself to open up to trying new things, especially new foods! Caitlin Vogler
I never had Ethiopian food before but, it wasn't very hard for me to actually enjoy it because I am open about trying different foods for the first time. I liked the first food they brought out with the sauce, it had a bit of a spicy kick to it. It was a good amount of spice for me because I like spicy foods, but not to spicy. The main course of the meal was very delicious and my favorite was the lamb and that's something I haven't had before and maybe that's why I liked it the most. As for eating without utensils it wasn't that strange or difficult for me because I come from a Mexican culture and we eat a lot of our foods with a tortilla on the side and mostly don't use utensils. The mango drink was probably one of the best drinks that i have ever had in my life and that alone would get me to go back along with the food and decorations of the little Ethiopian restaurant. Erik Rivera
I agree the food was the right amount of spicy. Also the lamb which is something I have never previously had was surprisingly very good. The mango also made me consider going back to the restaurant, but I do not know if I would go strictly for the food, but maybe for the experience.
Trying food for first time is good idea because it give us a chance to know some new food and how it test. i also like spice because they balance it to be for all. Ali Alqahtani
I agree that the appetizer and sauce that accompanied it was delicious, i also love spicy food so i would've liked it even more had the sauce been a little hotter!
I had experienced Ethiopian food before last night, as one of my good friends and classmates Kyle Spain has strong links to Africa and wanted myself and Louis to try it. However, I had never eaten at the Blue Nile. The appetiser was incredible and the dipping sauce it came with was even better, I would have been happy with five or six more of them, we were even taking other peoples leftovers! I thought the food was excellent, and I actually enjoyed more of the platter than I do at the other restaurant I had been too. My favourites were the spicy chicken, the green beans and the bean dip (kind of) dish. I am not a huge fan of lamb, but I tried the sauce and really enjoyed it. Like others, I too tried the mango juice on the recommendation of Dotty, and it did not disappoint. It was more like a smoothie than a juice, which coupled with the copious amounts of food myself, Louis and Kyle consumed led to us being extremely bloated, but very satisfied. The waiting staff there were great, very attentive and friendly. I personally love eating without utensils, as it removes any formality and puts everyone on the same level. Danny Adams
I agree with you on not using utensils. I think a lot of people have to come out of their comfort zone when they have to eat with their hands and share the same plate. It definitely shows the difference between cultures.
i agree with you guys, when we try different food from different place and culture we should eat it as they eat it because it will be a good feeling to eat like them and get a new experience.
I think that the comment on the lack of utensils and it leveling the playing field for everyone is right on track. It is odd when you go into a higher end restaurant and you sit down and there is 15 different kinds of Utensils in your setting and your expected to know what to use right out of the gate. I think using your hands makes it a more personal and meaningful experience.
This was my first time at an Ethiopian restaurant in my life, as I said in class I have a little bit of problem when it comes to food, I do not eat any vegetables or fruits. So the Ethiopian food was really hard for me to really enjoy the food, since most of our samples came with some sort of vegetable. Since I don't like fruit, I have not tried the famous mango juice, but I did try the chicken which was good, full of flavor. But other than that I could not try most of the food that was served to us. This is a little bit frustrating for me, because everywhere that I go I need to request an especial order or something like this. The fact that we had no utensils to eat didn't bother me at all, actually I think it is a good experience to eat with your hands, I'm not sure I would go back to an Ethiopian restaurant, but Blue Nile was for sure a great place, the staff was friendly and everything look very good, the decoration gave a nice touch to it. Kenzo Namba
It's a shame you don't eat fruits or vegetables, you missed out on some really great dishes. Is it that you don't like them, or are you allergic? I agree that eating with your hands is a good experience, I've always preferred it to knives and forks anyway!
I did not know really what to expect before going to the Ethiopian restaurant, so I went in with an open mind. I am always eager and interested in trying new foods because I am not a picky eater. I assumed it was going to be like rice and spicy foods but it was quite different. The appetizer was very good and I enjoyed the sauce that came with it. The taste of the appetizer prepared me for what the other foods were going to taste like. I was so surpised at the texture of the bread because it was equivalent to that of a sponge or a pancake. At first, I tried things that seemed similar to what I would normally eat such as the carrots, green beans, garbanzo beans, beef, and the chicken. Then, I started to branch out a bit and try new things such as lamb and the collared greens. I really enjoyed the new things I had tried. My favorite things at the restaurant was the mango juice. It was something I had never really had and I thought it complimented the meal very well. The injera bread filled me up pretty fast so I was not able to eat as much as the guys at the table but I did enjoy not having to use utensils. I enjoyed talking about sports and sharing a new meal with my classmates and Eric. It was helpful that Eric was there to explain to us what each food was. Overall, I thought it was a good experience for myself because I usually do not go out to new places especially with a different culture of food. I have learned that it is good to branch out and try new things because I might find something I like, which is what happened at the Blue Nile Cafe. It is good to try things that are unfamiliar to us because we learn things about other cultures as well about ourselves. I am one to try new things but I need to expand my horizons by trying foods from different cultures. In conclusion, it was a very pleasant experience and I learned a lot about ethiopian food as well as myself.
Until Monday, I had never had Ethiopian food. I was really excited to get to try something new for a change. When we got to the Blue Nile, the first thing everyone at the table ordered was the mango juice. It was really thick like a smoothie of some sort. I'm not sure that I would have called it a juice. It was like they had ran the mango through a blender. However, it was delicious. The waiter then brought us an appetizer called a sambusa with a dipping sauce. It was also very good! When they came out with the main dish, it was this big platter with injera bread laid out underneath and around the 10 different types of food. Considering that I hadn't had dinner yet and thinking that I was starving, my first thought was that there wasn't really much food on the platter. I made a conscious effort to try every single food on the platter. We used the injera bread to pick up the food rather than utensils. My favorites would have to be the lamb and the beef. After trying all of the different foods, I started to realize that my stomach got full real fast. This was surprisingly very filling. I think that this was a great experience overall. I enjoyed the food very much and will definitely be willing to go again.
Ethiopian is one of my favorite foods, as I have grown up eating it due to my family ties to Africa. I had been to the Blue Nile before Monday night, but I had forgotten how good it was. I think my favorite part of the meal would have to be the appetizers. The samosas and mango smoothie were delicious and it was a little bit different twist to Ethiopian then I have had in the past. As being one of the few students in class to have already tired Ethiopian I made it a point to watch the other students try the injera because it can be one of the biggest hurdles to get over. I have had friends not want to eat Ethiopian because they did not like the texture or taste of the injera. I was happy to see that the majority of my classmates dove right in and enjoyed the food. I can always tell how good an Ethiopian restaurant is by how full and bloated I feel leaving. The whole car ride home Louis, Danny and I couldn't stop making comments on how much we had eaten and how good the food was. The overall experience was great and I really enjoyed myself at the Blue Nile. Its always fun to see people try new things.
Pretty cool that you've actually eaten Ethiopian food before! I'm curious how it was different at the other restaurants you've had it before- maybe others were spicier? I'd also be interested to try the other type of injera that Dotty and Eric described. The injuera was definitely filling! Since every bite I took also had a piece of bread with it, it all added up quickly. Definitely satisfying.
It was really good trip to Ethiopian restaurant. The decoration of the restaurant can tell something about their culture and the food too. That trip gave me a wonderful experience about whom they serve their meals and who they eat it. Using the bread to eat the meal wasn’t new for me because on my home country we use that way. But how they served the dinner with putting the bread first then put the food on the top, that the new for me. Also, the Spices, which they used, were new for me. Some is more than other but the favorite one was the chicken. The mango juice with Cherries was flavorful.
I really enjoyed my first trip to Blue Nile. I am usually an adventurous eater and I love trying new foods so I was really excited to try Ethiopian food for the first time. My favorite part was tasting and experiencing flavor profiles that I had never had before and trying to identify the spices and flavors I was eating. I think food is such an important part of many cultures, so eating food from a culture is a great way to learn about it. I think that by removing the silverware, it removed me even further from my own preconceptions of how and what to eat. The most interesting part of the meal for me a was the injera. It had a completely different texture and taste than anything I had ever tasted and was very filling. My favorite part of the meal however was the mango juice because I hadn't had real mango juice like that since I would drink it growing up with my best friend from Vietnam. They were always really particular about mango juice and we had to drink huge glasses of every time I came over to "stay healthy." I will definitely be returning to the Blue Nile soon!
I know I am late to the party but, I would still like to share about my feelings about the trip to the Blue Nile. I was a little skeptical about what the food experience would bring prior to going to class. I new that Ethiopia is a far less developed country than the few that I have lived in/ traveled too, so I knew that the cuisine would be much different from anything I had experienced. I grew even more apprehensive when I learned that we would have our utensils confiscated and that we would be scooping and eating out food with a fermented grey blue "bread" made from a grain I had never even heard of. But upon arriving at the Blue Nile I grew excited as they brought out the platters of food to all the tables. Each dish looked like a time consuming, slow cooked masterpiece that I definitely wanted to eat. The dishes were seasoned unlike anything that I had tried before and it was delicious. It is what I would call a broadening of horizons meal that I thoroughly enjoyed. The trip with my classmates and professors to The Blue Nile was first, but I do not expect it to be my last.
Blue Nile is always sure to please and our experience was no exception. I'm a complete foodie so I geek out on places like this. I've had Ethiopian at blue Nile several times before so I've tried everything that we had before and the goat is always at the top of the list. I could also use injera as a wrap for a burrito! Super yum. The small restaurant makes for a quaint atmosphere. It's hard to grasp at a culture from a restaurant. Ethiopia has many areas stricken with poverty so a meal like we had doesn't seem like your average Wednesday evening dinner. I recall reading that in several areas, having meat in your meal is a special occasion. But the flavor profile helps provide a glimpse into a country thousands of miles away. Jennifer Tousley
Well I am the latest to the party because of the technical problems but I would also still like to share my personal experience in the Blue Nile. I am already a big fan of Ethiopian cuisine but I never had Ethiopian food in Kansas City and was very excited to try. I had my first Ethiopian food experience in Istanbul, Turkey, in a restaurant that is owned by an Ethiopian family and was very fascinated by all the trips I had in the restaurant. Blue Nile was also pretty similar to my previous experiences with Ethiopian food. The minute they brought the food in the table, with few minor differences, it looked pretty much the same as the ones I had before. Even though I am never as comfortable with eating the food without a fork and a knife because of my culture, in order to have a full experience of the food and the culture, I like that the teachers wouldn't let them serve fork and knife to us. I like pretty much all the different dishes that was served except that it could be more spicy in my taste. I loved that they served us this special Ethiopian wine as a complementary for us to try. It was pretty similar to the Japanese plum wine that I have previously tried and really liked. The conversations in the table with the magnificent Ethiopian cuisine also was very enjoyable. Overall, I had a great experience in the Blue Nile with the class and cannot wait to go back as soon as possible.
I think trying new food was a great experience for me. I have always been a pretty picky eater and have ever really gone out of my comfort zone to try new foods, let alone from a different culture. Before trying Ethiopian food, I had no idea what it even was. I learned that they do eat a lot of the same things we eat (chicken, beef, lamb, mushrooms, beans, etc.), however; they season it differently. The food reminded me of a spicier roast. I was caught off guard when I first felt the texture of the tefe because I was not expecting it to feel like a sponge. Once I got over the texture, I actually liked the tefe, which was a surprise to me. I also found it very interesting how they eat with bread, versus utensils or just their hands. At first, I felt a little uncomfortable about not eating with utensils. I think this was just due to the fact that I was always told not eat with my hands when it came to food that was not seen as "finger food" in our culture. It showed me the difference between my culture and another on the view of what "finger food" is. Overall, I think this was a great experience to take me out of my comfort zone and show me how another culture eats.
ReplyDeleteRachel Mears
I agree that the texture and spice of the foods were very different than what I eat for my normal meals as well. The tefe was very good and it turned a meal that we would of assumed would be eaten with a fork into finger food.
DeleteMike Hufker
I also felt kind of weird when I first at Ethiopian food with my hands, as it is very different to our culture. However it is kind of nice not having to use utensils and it feels a lot less formal and chilled out at the dinner table.
DeleteI agree, the bread definitely caught me off guard too because it was nothing like anything I have every had before. The carrots and the green beans reminded me of a roast too. I think this was a great experience to try new things and learn about another culture other than our own.
DeleteKatie McMurray
I thought it was interesting to watch you get out of your comfort zone since I know that you are sort of particular with your foods. I was a bit skeptical myself, but I think in the end we both came out with a positive experience and learned about more than just the food.
DeleteI really enjoyed the trip to the Blue Nile, it was definitely a different experience for me and I always enjoy trying new food. The food was very interesting and using the bread as a utensil was certainly a new experience. I personally like to turn everything I eat into a burrito or sandwich so I actually loved using the sponge bread to eat. While the food was good the mango juice there was suburb and easily my favorite thing about the restaurant.
ReplyDeleteThe decor of the restaurant was also very interesting. I specifically liked the tribal mask on the one wall and I thought it added a lot of culture into the restaurant. To top off the meal the steamed towel at the end to wash your hands, gave you a refreshing feeling and made me leave the restaurant very happy.
Mike Hufker
I agree, the mango juice was definitely the highlight of the trip for me, I would go back just for that.
DeleteLouis Gallagher
I can definitely echo your sentiments- the mango juice was superb, and turning everything into a burrito is something I often do as well. I didn't notice too many decorations- I'll have to try to be more observant of the atmosphere of the restaurant and how that contributes to the overall experience next time. I also forgot to mention the steamed towel in my blog post- I definitely thought they were bringing us steaming burritos or some sort. Hah, I don't know if I could have eaten much more, so I'm glad they were in fact towels.
DeleteI also agree that the atmosphere of the restaurant was nice. I feel that the atmosphere of any restaurant plays a significant role in the whole cultural experience.
DeleteGoing to the Blue Nile was a really interesting experience for me. I had never been to an Ethiopian restaurant and had no idea what to expect. At first I was nervous that it would be too spicy for me, but I wanted to make sure that I tried everything. I was surprised at how much I actually liked most of the food! Although uncomfortable at first, I really enjoyed eating with the tefe! My favorite was actually the lamb, which I was most afraid to try. This experience made me want to be more adventurous when choosing a place for dinner!
ReplyDeleteChelsea Bennett
It was a good time, the food was good as well as the setting. Although I could tell the food was not as spicy as it should have been, I only wonder if the missing ingredients would change the taste of the food much.
DeleteAaron Wiggins
I thought it was going to too spicy for me as well, but I also agree with Aaron on his point. I wonder what the food would taste like if there were more spices added.
DeleteIan Trembly
The lamb was my favorite as well, and I don't know why as Americans we always seem to be afraid of lamb as a protein in our cuisine. I have been to 4 other countries and in each lamb has been much more prevalent of a meat option. I wonder why it is not so in the US?
DeleteGoing to the Blue Nile was a very enjoyable experience for me as I have been to other Ethiopian restaurants in KC a few times before with classmates Kyle Spain and Danny Adams thanks to Kyle's parents so this was a familiar experience for me and one I was happy to experience again. The décor of the restaurant was interesting to look at and embraced the culture well. I think you could see from the amount that I ate that I really enjoyed the Ethiopian food, I especially liked the meats on offer with the lamb being my favourite. I am a big fan of spicy foods as we eat a lot of them back in England so the spice was not an issue for me. I also really enjoyed the mango juice.
ReplyDeleteLouis Gallagher
I liked the fact that the dish did have different meats just because I do like a wide variety of meat and of course the vegetables on the plate were very good to me. My favorite was also the lamb and I think it was because it was a new food I haven't had before. In other words chicken is such a common thing to have, it made the lamb that much better because it was a new food.
DeleteLast night was a really nice experience. I haven't ever been to an ethiopian restaurant before so it was a whole new way to have food for me. It was even more enjoyable that we went to the next level and didn't use utensils to eat as well as just tasting the food. I always have enjoyed having meals that actually matter more than just driving through a fast food place for something quick and almost always unhealthy. It is nice to actually sit down and have meaningful conversations with people, even if it isn't a group you are familiar with. The food was actually really good too. I personally love extra spicy food so for me it definitely hit the spot. The only thing that didn't work out as well was that the bread filled me up so fast that I was full before I even got to try everything that they had provided! However, what I did try was all wonderful.
ReplyDeleteMichaella Schartz
I liked that you added the communication part. It is different to sit around a table and share a meal with people, it fosters conversation. The food was good and to be able to sit and enjoy it with others while we had good conversation just made it that much more enjoyable.
DeleteAaron Wiggins
I agree that the Injera was very filling and I couldn't enjoy all the different kinds of foods. I found it difficult for myself to pick up a good amount in the Injera so I had to consume more of the bread, thus filling me up quickly.
DeleteI have never been to an ethnic restaurant so I had my doubts about going, but going to the Blue Nile was an overall good experience. It is not to often that you get the chance to try new food and the food was very well prepared. I also liked the plating used in the dish, putting the Injera bread at the bottom. To me the Injera was the most interesting part, I did not expect to like it based on how it felt, but it complimented everything well. The restaurant was also a good place. Looking at all the awards and decorations around really set the atmosphere. I have to agree though, the mango juice was one of a kind, not something you can find very easily.
ReplyDeleteAaron Wiggins
I agree with the Injera being the most interesting part of the meal because I never seen a bread like that before and it was almost like a sponge, but it made the whole experience a lot better with just using the bread to eat the food and it was very filling.
DeleteLike many of my classmates, this was one of my first experiences at an Ethnic restaurant. I'm not the adventurous type to go out and try new restaurants, or even or order dishes I'm unfamiliar with. Fortunately, going to the Blue Nile and being responsible for experiencing a new cuisine was really fresh and exciting. I enjoyed most all of the food- in fact, I saw definite parallels between foods we commonly eat and the Ethiopian cuisine. I'm sure some of that can be accounted for a bit of "American-ized Ethiopia", given that the restaurant is in Kansas, but nonetheless, it broke down a barrier that I had with unfamiliarity. Ethnic cuisine uses many of the same ingredients that we commonly eat- it's really not that weird, and I really enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteAs for specific foods, I have to say that the sambusa appetizer was my personal favorite. It was sort of like an egg roll dipped into a spicy marinara- very enjoyable! The bread was also delicious and quite filling. Alexi, Caitlin, and I seemed to barely eat much off our big dish until we were full.
I learned how much I depend on silverware. I kept reaching for my fork and knife so I could pick at the food. But being without silverware forced me to really dive in and actually take big bites, rather than tentatively scoop only the things I wanted onto my plate. I think being without something that I'm comfortable with enabled me to embrace the experience and really just go for it.
To recap, I really enjoyed the beef, sambusa, collared greens, and potatoes. I didn't care much for the lamb or split peas, though I seemed to be in the minority with how much others raved about the lamb. I also loved the mango juice and suspect I'll be stopping in regularly the next time I'm in the river market! The experience of trying new cuisine was something I wouldn't normally do, and I'm glad for the opportunity to step outside of my comfort zone and embrace a previously unknown food & culture.
I agree with what you said about utensils because I found myself at times looking to pick up my fork to eat. I thought it made the experience better not having utensils because it allowed us to really dive into another culture. It definitely allowed me to embrace the experience and get out of my comfort zone. Yes, the mango juice was awesome!
DeleteKatie McMurray
I was pretty skeptical at first about eating at The Blue Nile because I'm not a huge fan of trying new things, especially foods from other cultures. I figured that opening my mind to new foods and new experiences would not only better me in this class but also later in life. I ended up liking some dishes more than others but overall the meal was pretty tasty! One challenge that I had was the lack of utensils. I found myself looking around for them just because we are so used to having them at every meal, but it was nice experiencing using the Injera as the utensil. I do have to say that the Sambusa was definitely my favorite, along with the mango juice of course! Overall, I'm glad that I allowed myself to open up to trying new things, especially new foods!
ReplyDeleteCaitlin Vogler
I never had Ethiopian food before but, it wasn't very hard for me to actually enjoy it because I am open about trying different foods for the first time. I liked the first food they brought out with the sauce, it had a bit of a spicy kick to it. It was a good amount of spice for me because I like spicy foods, but not to spicy. The main course of the meal was very delicious and my favorite was the lamb and that's something I haven't had before and maybe that's why I liked it the most. As for eating without utensils it wasn't that strange or difficult for me because I come from a Mexican culture and we eat a lot of our foods with a tortilla on the side and mostly don't use utensils. The mango drink was probably one of the best drinks that i have ever had in my life and that alone would get me to go back along with the food and decorations of the little Ethiopian restaurant.
ReplyDeleteErik Rivera
I agree the food was the right amount of spicy. Also the lamb which is something I have never previously had was surprisingly very good. The mango also made me consider going back to the restaurant, but I do not know if I would go strictly for the food, but maybe for the experience.
DeleteMike Hufker
Trying food for first time is good idea because it give us a chance to know some new food and how it test. i also like spice because they balance it to be for all.
DeleteAli Alqahtani
I agree that the appetizer and sauce that accompanied it was delicious, i also love spicy food so i would've liked it even more had the sauce been a little hotter!
DeleteI had experienced Ethiopian food before last night, as one of my good friends and classmates Kyle Spain has strong links to Africa and wanted myself and Louis to try it. However, I had never eaten at the Blue Nile. The appetiser was incredible and the dipping sauce it came with was even better, I would have been happy with five or six more of them, we were even taking other peoples leftovers! I thought the food was excellent, and I actually enjoyed more of the platter than I do at the other restaurant I had been too. My favourites were the spicy chicken, the green beans and the bean dip (kind of) dish. I am not a huge fan of lamb, but I tried the sauce and really enjoyed it. Like others, I too tried the mango juice on the recommendation of Dotty, and it did not disappoint. It was more like a smoothie than a juice, which coupled with the copious amounts of food myself, Louis and Kyle consumed led to us being extremely bloated, but very satisfied. The waiting staff there were great, very attentive and friendly. I personally love eating without utensils, as it removes any formality and puts everyone on the same level.
ReplyDeleteDanny Adams
I agree with you on not using utensils. I think a lot of people have to come out of their comfort zone when they have to eat with their hands and share the same plate. It definitely shows the difference between cultures.
DeleteIan Trembly
i agree with you guys, when we try different food from different place and culture we should eat it as they eat it because it will be a good feeling to eat like them and get a new experience.
DeleteAli Alqahtani
I think that the comment on the lack of utensils and it leveling the playing field for everyone is right on track. It is odd when you go into a higher end restaurant and you sit down and there is 15 different kinds of Utensils in your setting and your expected to know what to use right out of the gate. I think using your hands makes it a more personal and meaningful experience.
DeleteThis was my first time at an Ethiopian restaurant in my life, as I said in class I have a little bit of problem when it comes to food, I do not eat any vegetables or fruits. So the Ethiopian food was really hard for me to really enjoy the food, since most of our samples came with some sort of vegetable. Since I don't like fruit, I have not tried the famous mango juice, but I did try the chicken which was good, full of flavor. But other than that I could not try most of the food that was served to us. This is a little bit frustrating for me, because everywhere that I go I need to request an especial order or something like this. The fact that we had no utensils to eat didn't bother me at all, actually I think it is a good experience to eat with your hands, I'm not sure I would go back to an Ethiopian restaurant, but Blue Nile was for sure a great place, the staff was friendly and everything look very good, the decoration gave a nice touch to it.
ReplyDeleteKenzo Namba
It's a shame you don't eat fruits or vegetables, you missed out on some really great dishes. Is it that you don't like them, or are you allergic? I agree that eating with your hands is a good experience, I've always preferred it to knives and forks anyway!
DeleteI did not know really what to expect before going to the Ethiopian restaurant, so I went in with an open mind. I am always eager and interested in trying new foods because I am not a picky eater. I assumed it was going to be like rice and spicy foods but it was quite different. The appetizer was very good and I enjoyed the sauce that came with it. The taste of the appetizer prepared me for what the other foods were going to taste like. I was so surpised at the texture of the bread because it was equivalent to that of a sponge or a pancake. At first, I tried things that seemed similar to what I would normally eat such as the carrots, green beans, garbanzo beans, beef, and the chicken. Then, I started to branch out a bit and try new things such as lamb and the collared greens. I really enjoyed the new things I had tried. My favorite things at the restaurant was the mango juice. It was something I had never really had and I thought it complimented the meal very well. The injera bread filled me up pretty fast so I was not able to eat as much as the guys at the table but I did enjoy not having to use utensils. I enjoyed talking about sports and sharing a new meal with my classmates and Eric. It was helpful that Eric was there to explain to us what each food was. Overall, I thought it was a good experience for myself because I usually do not go out to new places especially with a different culture of food. I have learned that it is good to branch out and try new things because I might find something I like, which is what happened at the Blue Nile Cafe. It is good to try things that are unfamiliar to us because we learn things about other cultures as well about ourselves. I am one to try new things but I need to expand my horizons by trying foods from different cultures. In conclusion, it was a very pleasant experience and I learned a lot about ethiopian food as well as myself.
ReplyDeleteKatie McMurray
Until Monday, I had never had Ethiopian food. I was really excited to get to try something new for a change. When we got to the Blue Nile, the first thing everyone at the table ordered was the mango juice. It was really thick like a smoothie of some sort. I'm not sure that I would have called it a juice. It was like they had ran the mango through a blender. However, it was delicious. The waiter then brought us an appetizer called a sambusa with a dipping sauce. It was also very good! When they came out with the main dish, it was this big platter with injera bread laid out underneath and around the 10 different types of food. Considering that I hadn't had dinner yet and thinking that I was starving, my first thought was that there wasn't really much food on the platter. I made a conscious effort to try every single food on the platter. We used the injera bread to pick up the food rather than utensils. My favorites would have to be the lamb and the beef. After trying all of the different foods, I started to realize that my stomach got full real fast. This was surprisingly very filling. I think that this was a great experience overall. I enjoyed the food very much and will definitely be willing to go again.
ReplyDeleteIan Trembly
Ethiopian is one of my favorite foods, as I have grown up eating it due to my family ties to Africa. I had been to the Blue Nile before Monday night, but I had forgotten how good it was. I think my favorite part of the meal would have to be the appetizers. The samosas and mango smoothie were delicious and it was a little bit different twist to Ethiopian then I have had in the past. As being one of the few students in class to have already tired Ethiopian I made it a point to watch the other students try the injera because it can be one of the biggest hurdles to get over. I have had friends not want to eat Ethiopian because they did not like the texture or taste of the injera. I was happy to see that the majority of my classmates dove right in and enjoyed the food. I can always tell how good an Ethiopian restaurant is by how full and bloated I feel leaving. The whole car ride home Louis, Danny and I couldn't stop making comments on how much we had eaten and how good the food was. The overall experience was great and I really enjoyed myself at the Blue Nile. Its always fun to see people try new things.
ReplyDeleteKyle Spain
Pretty cool that you've actually eaten Ethiopian food before! I'm curious how it was different at the other restaurants you've had it before- maybe others were spicier? I'd also be interested to try the other type of injera that Dotty and Eric described. The injuera was definitely filling! Since every bite I took also had a piece of bread with it, it all added up quickly. Definitely satisfying.
DeleteIt was really good trip to Ethiopian restaurant. The decoration of the restaurant can tell something about their culture and the food too. That trip gave me a wonderful experience about whom they serve their meals and who they eat it. Using the bread to eat the meal wasn’t new for me because on my home country we use that way. But how they served the dinner with putting the bread first then put the food on the top, that the new for me. Also, the Spices, which they used, were new for me. Some is more than other but the favorite one was the chicken. The mango juice with Cherries was flavorful.
ReplyDeleteAli Alqahtani
I really enjoyed my first trip to Blue Nile. I am usually an adventurous eater and I love trying new foods so I was really excited to try Ethiopian food for the first time. My favorite part was tasting and experiencing flavor profiles that I had never had before and trying to identify the spices and flavors I was eating. I think food is such an important part of many cultures, so eating food from a culture is a great way to learn about it. I think that by removing the silverware, it removed me even further from my own preconceptions of how and what to eat. The most interesting part of the meal for me a was the injera. It had a completely different texture and taste than anything I had ever tasted and was very filling. My favorite part of the meal however was the mango juice because I hadn't had real mango juice like that since I would drink it growing up with my best friend from Vietnam. They were always really particular about mango juice and we had to drink huge glasses of every time I came over to "stay healthy." I will definitely be returning to the Blue Nile soon!
ReplyDeleteAlexi Chadbourne
I know I am late to the party but, I would still like to share about my feelings about the trip to the Blue Nile. I was a little skeptical about what the food experience would bring prior to going to class. I new that Ethiopia is a far less developed country than the few that I have lived in/ traveled too, so I knew that the cuisine would be much different from anything I had experienced. I grew even more apprehensive when I learned that we would have our utensils confiscated and that we would be scooping and eating out food with a fermented grey blue "bread" made from a grain I had never even heard of. But upon arriving at the Blue Nile I grew excited as they brought out the platters of food to all the tables. Each dish looked like a time consuming, slow cooked masterpiece that I definitely wanted to eat. The dishes were seasoned unlike anything that I had tried before and it was delicious. It is what I would call a broadening of horizons meal that I thoroughly enjoyed. The trip with my classmates and professors to The Blue Nile was first, but I do not expect it to be my last.
ReplyDeleteJackson Gurley
Blue Nile is always sure to please and our experience was no exception. I'm a complete foodie so I geek out on places like this. I've had Ethiopian at blue Nile several times before so I've tried everything that we had before and the goat is always at the top of the list. I could also use injera as a wrap for a burrito! Super yum. The small restaurant makes for a quaint atmosphere. It's hard to grasp at a culture from a restaurant. Ethiopia has many areas stricken with poverty so a meal like we had doesn't seem like your average Wednesday evening dinner. I recall reading that in several areas, having meat in your meal is a special occasion. But the flavor profile helps provide a glimpse into a country thousands of miles away.
ReplyDeleteJennifer Tousley
Well I am the latest to the party because of the technical problems but I would also still like to share my personal experience in the Blue Nile. I am already a big fan of Ethiopian cuisine but I never had Ethiopian food in Kansas City and was very excited to try. I had my first Ethiopian food experience in Istanbul, Turkey, in a restaurant that is owned by an Ethiopian family and was very fascinated by all the trips I had in the restaurant. Blue Nile was also pretty similar to my previous experiences with Ethiopian food. The minute they brought the food in the table, with few minor differences, it looked pretty much the same as the ones I had before. Even though I am never as comfortable with eating the food without a fork and a knife because of my culture, in order to have a full experience of the food and the culture, I like that the teachers wouldn't let them serve fork and knife to us. I like pretty much all the different dishes that was served except that it could be more spicy in my taste. I loved that they served us this special Ethiopian wine as a complementary for us to try. It was pretty similar to the Japanese plum wine that I have previously tried and really liked. The conversations in the table with the magnificent Ethiopian cuisine also was very enjoyable. Overall, I had a great experience in the Blue Nile with the class and cannot wait to go back as soon as possible.
ReplyDeleteTuti Cavusoglu