Monday, April 24, 2006

There is one word which may serve as a rule of practice for all one's life - reciprocity

Its so amazing that sometimes you don’t plan and it turn out to be a wonderful moment :D!!!
Monday morning as usual…there was nothing much to do at work…as most of them were dependable on others…so I had to just make sure if they know there responsibilities…as usual I took off from work….with Jagu in the background singing….

‘kabhi yoon bhi to ho, dariya ka sahil ho poore chaand ki raat ho aur tum aao’…(sometimes it should happen so …should be near the sea shore and it should be a full moon night and at that moment you should come)…something like that ;)

I was thinking of cooking something for dinner…when I got this phone call saying how about dinner out…@ a Ethiopian restaurant….gosh! How can I say no…as I had once and its just so awesome!!!
The evening turned out to be a gala…! We went to this ‘Queen of Sheba’ restaurant…’Sheba’ is one of the tribes in Ethiopia. I had read on the net that the owner of this restaurant came to California to do his Electrical Engineering and then he got into this restaurant business…as his father had the same business in Ethiopia. It was such an authentic and warm feeling to be there. I have a story to tell here about the host –

Memory is a way of holding on to the things you love, the things you are, the things you never want to lose” ~ Kevin Arnold


Sahlu Okbato, who emigrated from his native Ethiopia to the United States in 1991, took over the San Jose Coffee Shop on Aug. 16, 2003, adding Ethiopian food to his offerings in late September.
Although Sahlu grew up in the restaurant business-his late father owned one in Ethiopia-he had no desire to have a restaurant when he came to the United States in 1991. He knew it would be hard work.

“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” ~ Paulo Cohelo

After graduating from San José State University in 2000 with a degree in electrical engineering, Sahlu went to work for Compaq. Two-and-a-half years later, the HP takeover left him exploring his options.

Sahlu knew he wanted his own business and listened to friends and family members who told him an Ethiopian restaurant was the way to go. When he saw the current location, he like it and decided to lease it.


But, Sahlu gives all credit to his sister, Lomi, who is the chef in charge of the Ethiopian dishes, and whose loving efforts produce the wonderful food they present. That's why, although he himself works seven-day weeks, he decided in March that his sister deserves at least one day a week off..So, for now Ethiopian food isn't available on Tuesdays.

“Experience tells you what to do; confidence allows you to do it.” ~ Stan Smith

Yes, for me it was a very nice homely atmosphere where I was enjoying the food and at the same time Sahlu sitting beside us telling about the food, about himself…and how things are similar culture-wise South Asia and so on….!

"It's nice to be important, but it's more important to be nice." ~Author Unknown

I am going to go there again…n again…but my happiness about this experience had to come to my blog…! It was such an unusual thing that we were not rushed with bill …in fact we didn’t feel as if we were in a restaurant…the ambience is just authentic with Ethiopian art work…in short I was in love :D with everything.

"Today I bent the truth to be kind, and I have no regret, for I am far surer of what is kind than I am of what is true." ~Robert Brault

10 comments:

Sarah said...

i hv eaten almost all south east and Asian food..not much African dishes.. How was it...?

Anand said...

Hey wow!
Have never tried ethopian food...sounds like a novelty..but after your post am tempted to try!

Keshi said...

gosh never in my life have I tasted Ethiopian food...lucky u Dawn!


**Its so amazing that sometimes you don’t plan and it turn out to be a wonderful moment

when I plan something, it always end up being botched. And when I do things w.o. planing, I always end up smiling :)

Keshi

Anand said...

heeh!
I agree with keshi...my plans always seem to go the other way round
Ir lucky that ur plan turn out better!

Masood Ahmed said...

Ethiopian food...mmmm..now in America you find so much variety.......i dont expect to have one such restaurant offering ethiopian food in Pakistan.:(
Enjoy!!!

Kaunquest said...

Your post reminded me of the contrast with some of the Indian curry houses here in the UK. Gaudy decorations, unfriendly waiters who don’t turn up at first, when the do they try to rush you and food that tastes just the same as the restaurant next door!

Dawn said...

immigrant in canada: Dear it was just awesome! Even when I say so now…my mouth is watering :D…try if u get a chance!
Cheers

anand: Yes, I had once in NY and since then I have fallen in love with the food…they have this dosa kind of thing…which is made of ‘teff’ the details u can get on google search ;)!
Cheers

keshi: Yes dear…if u get a chance do try! This place the food was awesome, we got so stuffed still were eating n when we left some thought to pack when the Sahlu said…the rule of the home is not to waste…and I assured him we are not…:D!!! I had it next day and it was awesome! :D
Cheers

anand: Yes it happens..sometimes…but I haven’t had many …as planning always helped me since I do plan for the disaster too :D
Cheers

masd: Yes…isn’t that awesome that we get to have variety :D….I love to try different food :D …I would say try traveling this part ;)
Cheers

kaunquest: Well…this one is so homely am telling u…I told Sahlu that am gonna be a regular customer there and gonna bring my friends too ;) …its home made food and one can feel the taste…they are so proud to serve there home made food….it just shows shiny in there eyes :D
Cheers

Keshi said...

cool!

Keshi.

Dawn said...

mirzaghalib: WOW...look who's here !!!!! :D
am glad to read your experience and yes...you said it all from the menu :D...awesome!
Thanks for dropping by

Cheers

Jim said...

“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” ~ Paulo Cohelo

wat are u doing saturday evening?

We are all different. Don’t judge, understand instead!!!

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