Tuesday, June 28, 2016
Fasika Restaurant Trip
After lectures on food language in film and branding and design in food packaging, we headed out to Fasika Ethiopian restaurant in Lenexa. Many were tasting the Ethiopian bread, injera (made from fermented teff flour), for the first time. We had a sampler platter of various vegetables - collards, green beans, lentils, cabbage, split peas - and meats - chicken, beef tibs and ground beef.
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The Ethiopian food was very different from the Korean food. The sampler platter had several different things for us try, which provided a great experience. In my opinion, some of the Ethiopian dishes were bland, mainly the injera. The texture of the injera reminded me of a sponge or a shower mat. The vegetables were delicious, especially the cabbage and collards. It was interesting to learn that in the Ethiopian culture they don't use utensils. The injera served as the eating utensil. Overall, it was a great experience. Unfortunately, I won't be traveling back to the restaurant. I struggled with the texture of the food and the smell. I learned that I am open to trying new things, but it's no secret that I won't try it again if I don't like it the first time !
ReplyDeleteYasmin, the whole no utensil thing really threw me off especially considering the Injera was not tasty to me at all. I also found it hard to grab the food with the Injera. I agree with you I am happy that I had the experience, I enjoyed it, however I will not be going back.
DeleteDon't be downing the bread. I found it to be different, yet enjoyable. I do attempt to have a mindset of what the culture is about and why they would choose the foods they eat. I think, if I were hungry and living in the region of where the culture is from, how would I respond to the food selections.
DeleteMy experience at Fasika was very interesting. I usually enjoy trying new things, but I have to admit the Ethiopian idea was a little terrifying. Prior to this experience I really didn’t know anything about the Ethiopian culture or the food. Even though I was terrified, I was really excited about having this eye opening dive into a culture I knew nothing about.
ReplyDeleteI must admit I was a little disappointed with the atmosphere. I was hoping to see a little more décor that reflected the Ethiopian life, but the place was really neutral and bland. I did notice a little station that I assumed was for the coffee rituals Ethiopians enjoy after a meal. This was pleasing to see since we weren’t actually going to take part in an actual coffee ritual. Another thing I noticed was how quiet it was, there was no background music or noise (until we came along) that I often hear in other restaurants I have visited.
My favorite part of the meal was the Sambossa appetizer. The Sambossa was a little spicy which I greatly enjoy. It had just enough spice and flavor that made it perfect. I think my least favorite thing was the Injera, probably due to the texture and the smell. Ethiopian food is definitely an acquired taste, which I have not acquired. It was all really rich and kind of slimy in texture. I feel blessed to be able to say I have given it a try, but I would probably never try it again.
Chas, now that you mentioned it, I didn't see any decor either. I think the decor would have set the tone/mood for the Ethiopian lifestyle as well. I would have to agree with you, the appetizer was the best thing they had to offer. I didn't eat all of mine though, with hopes that the main course would fill me up! LOL
DeleteShanelle Goods
DeleteChas, I have to say the atmosphere at the restaurant was really boring I think if they would deco maybe they would attractive more customer's from the inside to the outside. I also agree with you it was a different experience but if someone ask me would I try there food again I would have to say no.
I too was disappointed that the feel of the restaurant was subdued. But from watching the video of how they made the Injera, I don't think a big production is made. It would have been nice to experience the coffee ritual and I may go back for that. The food was different and quite bland and for me that is saying something. The Sambossa appetizer was quite tasty and full of flavor. I did try everything on the plate. The foods that I found tasty were the cabbage and carrots, green beans, and turnip greens. I was not fond of the corn like substance or the yellow gooy food. Overall the experience was not as enjoyable as the Korean food and atmosphere.
ReplyDeleteJoy, I think we both felt the exact same way. After sitting here reflecting on how everything taste, I think I shoudl take into consideration that the cook may not have seasoned the food like they would in Ethiopia. I could be wrong, but it's just a thought. I would have to agree, the Korean food was more enjoyable !
DeleteJoy, I also want to experience the coffee ritual, I think that would be a pretty awesome experience. And you didn't like the yellow gooey food? :)
DeleteI was more disappointed in the atmospheric experience more so than the food. But that appetizer was very tasty indeed :)
I wasn't a fan of the Ethiopian food, but I told myself that every culture is different and Ethiopian's may not like the Mexican dishes my family and I eat. The temperature of the food was a little cool, it could have been warmer. I tried the cabbage, collards and green beans. They were ok. I would have tried the chicken, but it was spicy and I'm not a fan of spicy foods. I didn't like the texture of the injera, so I didn't taste it, but I did use it to eat my food. Laughing and talking with my classmates made dinner more enjoyable.
ReplyDeleteMonica Gray
Shanelle Goods
DeleteMonica
I have to agree with you the Ethiopian food was not very tasty. I thought it was pretty different how some of the dishes were cool too because I'm use too my vegetables and meats being warm. But I disagree with you on the spicy food because I love for certain foods I eat to be spice especially my Mexican food.
I attempted to approach the Ethiopian food experience with an open mind and palate and, regretfully, I was left with a headache and upset stomach. But aside from not enjoying the food, there also wasn't much of an Ethiopian ambiance because there's nothing more American than watching a big screen TV while you eat, lol. It would've been nice to see art or even some artifacts or listen to some music from Ethiopian culture. Also, I didn't enjoy being so close while we were eating but I understood that it was supposed to be a communal setting so that wasn't as bothersome. Overall, I'm glad that I've experienced Ethiopian food, even if it was just to say that I tried it and respectfully express that I didn't enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteI agree. I didn't like it either. I don't have an open mind or palate when it comes to food. I'm typically pretty picky. I was kind of hopeful with the bread but it was nasty. It was sticky, spongy, and bitter. It was a very Americanized restaurant. I can say I tried it. I did like the appetizer though.
DeleteShalise Abson
I would've like to see some more of the Ethiopian culture in the restaurant. It just didn't really feel much like an Ethiopian restaurant if that makes sense. The greens and cabbage were good and the waiter gave great service. There was just something missing from the experience
DeleteShanelle Goods
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to trying new foods I'm pretty much easy to please. but when it comes to Ethiopian food, I'm not very fond of it. I didn't actually really like any of the food I tried, only the cabbage and greens was tasty and we all had several items on our plate. I also wasn't fond of the Ethiopian mango drink it was too sweet. The desert was ok it tasted like a granola bar.
It was nice to try something different. Yellow split peas cooked and flavored with green pepper, turmeric, onion and Ethiopian spice) - the most bland dish out of the bunch. It was like simple boiled peas that were mashed and lightly seasoned. I could barely taste any flavorings. The other veggie dishes were definitely much more tasty. Like I said the cabbage and greens was Unique flavor. Tasty with lots of veggies. I recommend this dish. Service was interesting. The waiters was super nice.
While there was an abundance of spices there was a lack of salt. It was either bland, or too spicy. The sauces were nasty. I did enjoy the appetizer, I could have eaten a couple more of those and not tried anything on the platter. The appetizer actually made me hopeful for the platter but I was let down. I'm a very picky eater anyway but, bread is typically my go to and it was nasty. The texture was off, and it was very bitter and weird tasting. I didn't like any of the meat. The vegetables were ok. I had a stack ob bread since they didn't give us serving spoons, or saucer plates.
DeleteShalise Abson
You ever tried a food that is good, but you can't eat it because you looked at the inside of it?? That was the appetizer for me. I was good and full of flavor like a SW egg roll, but I could not bring myself to eat it all because of the lentils. Had I not known what it was, I would have devoured it. Same experience when I tried calamari-the was great until I realized it was squid. I couldn't finish it.
DeleteShalise Abson
ReplyDeleteThe experience at the restaurant was different. I personally am a very picky eater. I don't have the largest palate. I was hopeful in the beginning due to it being chicken, beef, and bread. I for one am a bread lover but, not that bread. The fermented flour bread was nasty. I did enjoy the appetizer. It reminded me of a southwest egg roll. I liked the green beans, cabbage, and carrots. The meat while spicy, was very bland. The lentils were smashed and looked like corn. I think the class in general didn't like the food. It was a lot left over.
The atmosphere was not authentic. They had flat screens mounted to the wall with the news on. I was hungry when I left there. I was afraid to eat when I got home from fear of mixing too much. The dessert while it wasn't Ethiopian was ok. It was very sweet at first and the more you ate it, the sweetness calmed down. Overall it was a different experience. I can at least say I've had authentic Ethiopian food.
I totally agree with you on the atmosphere. Even if they had the decor that mimicked the Ethiopian culture, it would have went unnoticed because of the TVs in the restaurant.
DeleteThe restaurant, to me, is a hidden gem. Having the opportunity to indulge my taste buds with the savor flavors of Ethiopian food was fantastic. I could truly understand the connection and energy friends or family would share having dinner at the table. The setting in which a person is to eat probably won’t be suitable for western culture. I say that because it’s more touching of the food. The thoughts of someone else touching your food would be frowned upon here in America, yet in their culture it is more about connectivity.
ReplyDeleteI would have gotten a better sense of the culture’s atmosphere had they invested more into the décor. Walking into a restaurant I want to feel as if I walked into the setting in which the food is the focal point of the restaurant.
I agree with hidden, but only because I got lost and my GPS kept showing a picture of an abandoned building. And yes the yellow walls were a bit much such large space. Music, wall decor, or something would have made it feel like an Ethiopian homey feeling restaurant.
DeleteMy first non-tasting food experience was when a group of Ethiopian co--workers invited me to their lunch table to partake in their meal. I couldn't tell you what they were eating, but I do remember everyone's hands was coming in and out of this large tupperware bowl and it smelled like unidentified spices. I politely declined and proceeded to make my way to the food court inside the mall.
ReplyDeleteThis recent experience was much better after some brief learning of their foodways and culture. I walked through the wrong door, but the 2 guys in front were very warm and inviting. I should asked to join their game of pool. The food... was interesting, but in a good way. Although I did not eat much of the sampler, the foods I did try were very good. The green beans and carrots were seasoned to perfection and the cabbage makes me question how I cook my own cabbage (and I make a mean pot of cabbage). The cabbage was lightly seasoned with the right amount of spice to it where it wasn't overbearing but not bland. It was always very tender.
The overall experience was unique and I did enjoy that a man who was not Ethiopian came in to enjoy a sit down meal. There was a flag hanging on the corner above the bar, but I would have loved to see more of the culture in art, wall decor, and even photos.
I went into this experience much like I do everything else, with great anticipation, however, I did eat before this experience in-case that I did not like what I saw.
ReplyDeleteThis experience was very cool, eye opening to a completely different way of culture. I learned that I am willing again to try anything once, but I like it better if I can identify the food, I did try every thing on the platter. I also ate all of my injera. I liked a few things that were identifiable but none of the meat products really because it scared me a little, and meat isn't something I eat all too regularly. I was very disappointed of the lack of decor, very boring, only 1 person that was serving us and no real sense of Ethiopian ambiance, I think maybe they don't really 'decorate' in their culture, as it may be a sign of bragging.
Eating with our fingers is limited here in our American culture other than snack foods and sandwiches. We use utensils frequently. I think that maybe they didn't have the abundance of utensils and use what they had available, the injera. This I think is using what you have and making it work, as well as food items of easy abundance like the animals they have available, I also think that maybe grinding up meat makes it go further and can feed more people. Also, taking the same item and changing spices gives you the feeling of more variety, when in actuality it is the same food item ie.lentils. Also using different parts of the animal, like ground chicken, and then a chicken thigh. Variety, they make it appear that there is such. I think they have a less worry about spreading disease and eating with friends and family, so it's more accepted to use hands to eat.
I noticed that I was more willing to try the food even though it was unfamiliar, but I like doing this type of thing everywhere, I am adventurous. :) I would eat it again to at least introduce it to other friends to see their reactions to the food as well.
I learned that Ethiopian food was not as bad as I thought, but it is not something I would have a 'craving' for. Great experience though!
Desiree Evans
Just as the Korean meal was new to me, so too was Ethiopian food. Before our trip to Fasika, I had never even heard of it. As I mentioned in my first blog post, I usually don't sway very far from American, Italian, or Mexican food, so Ethiopian was a little bit out of my taste comfort zone, although I attempted to try it. But I have to admit that I probably won't try it again. The only portion of the meal that I completed was the very first part of it. I don't know what the name of it was, but I guess you could call it a lentil croissant. It was decent, but somewhat spicy, which I didn't mind too much because the water helped wash it down. But other than that, the only other things I could stomach were the chicken and carrots. I think that's because my body is already used to those two foods, so my taste buds did not reject them as much as the kitfo and wat. The dessert was alright too, but obviously not authentic Ethiopian food. I could tell at the end of our meal that I was not the only one who wasn't a fan of Fasika because the majority of our platters were still full. I did not hate it, but did not like it either, although I will say that the service was great and the communcal aspect of it was a pleasant surprise! -Kelly Barry
ReplyDeleteI love the Ethiopian food experience I was able to try different food that I have never heard of before. I did try some familiar foods such as cabbage, chicken, and greens. My mother and sister are thrill seekers so I am excited to let them know I tried something different. For me this experience allowed me to bond with my classmates. The way the food setting is setup there are no utensils used so to me that allowed it to be a more intimate interaction. I can now check Fasika off of my bucket list. I was told to try Indian food so my next adventure whether it's an assignment or not I will be trying Indian food. To make it a family experience I will ask my mother and sister to tag along with me-Shawnte Primers
ReplyDeleteI love soul food so I was actually really looking forward to trying Ethiopian food. I also love trying new foods and different restaurants. I loved the greens, and the cabbage because I grew up eating both. The chicken also wasn't that bad. I felt that I would
ReplyDeleteve enjoyed the food just a little bit more if I could've used a fork just because it was a little messy. The bread was an acquired taste that I couldn't get use to. I used the bread as more of a eating utensil but I am glad that I had this experience. Some of the other food was a little too different for me. It was more of a taste that I'm not use to. However, I would go back to eat the chicken, greens and cabbage anytime. I learned that Ethiopian food can be a little spicy but love spicy foods. It was a good time.