Cafe Wieni

I agree: by far the best "Ethiopian" restaurant in Seattle (ok, ok, technically "Eritrean", and boy will the Ethiopians be pissed about that). The owner is incredibly friendly and gave me that "we only use special seasoning only found in a hidden valley in Eritrea" line that make places like this ROCK! I'm drooling just thinking about it... BUT, I have to clarify: I'm doing research for a travel book (YES I'm including this!) and I think the name is "Cafe Weini". I wish I could verify, but it's so hidden, remote, and unknown that I can't find the same spelling twice online. How's that for great? more

We love this sweet smelling little restaurant on the end of an unlikely strip mall in north Seattle. Location is 1510 NE 117th St. Seattle. The decor is Italian, the music is undefinable, and the atmosphere is relaxed and companionable. The couple who owns the restaurant knows what they're doing. The cooking is so much better than the Ethiopian places. My favorite dish is foul - made from fava beans topped with white cheese, red onion, etc. Magnificent. Prices are reasonable. The cooking here is done with a real flare. The person in the kitchen is a chef, not a cook. The presentations and service are the best. more

Either the cook here is better than any at Ethiopian restaurants or the food is very different, because although the food is similar, this place outshines the Ethiopians. Eritrea is a teeny country on the southern border of Ethipia and I understand they aren't very compatible. The spices are subtle - cumin, cinnamon, cloves and things we couldn't identify. The foul, a staple, doesn't leave the fava beans whole as in Turkish foul, but pulverizes them, adds spices and is served with garnishes of chopped bermuda onion, diced tomato and sharp cheese. They make an excellent tea from herbs available in the grocery next door. Tastes great iced. Cafe Wieni is owned by a couple and has been open just a few months. Although it's in a seedy strip mall off of 15th Ave. NE at around 130th, once you enter, the Italian decor, marvelous smells and African music make you feel like you've travelled much further. Go north on 15th NE from Northgate Way about 1/2 mile. As you enter a business district on your right, you pass a large Ethiopian restaurant and the white strip mall with Cafe Wieni on the opposite end is about a block further - also on the right. Closed Tuesday. The first Eritrean restaurant in Seattle! more