Take Out

Issue: What to eat tonight?

Rule: I never want the basic Chinese take out from across the street that my husband so enjoys. When I order in I want something more delicious than what I would make myself, something different than I even could make myself.

Application: Two recent take out endeavors jump to my mind. The first was recommended to me as a take out place by a loyal reader and was enjoyed last night- Ghenet. The second is semi-fondly remembered as I plan on when I can try it again- Campo de Fiore. Both places are solids dine-in options but sometimes it is simply too warm and cozy at home to venture out.

Ghenet is an Ethiopian restaurant on 4th Ave at Douglas Street. On a Saturday night its' dining room was full and customers were being whisked into a small back room with windows facing the street. The wait staff is perhaps the most beautiful staff in all of Park Slope. The lights are dim and the music is not intrusive. However, I took my meal to my coffee table and enjoyed a semi-private viewing of Elf. The best way to order at Ghenet has to be the combination platter. The platters are vegetarian or meat and serve every person at about $16 a pop. All meals are served on injera- a spongy and tasty bread made from a grain unique to Ethiopia. Injera is used as a vessel to eat the various meats and vegetables arranged on the plate. If you don't like injera- you are out of luck. I was curious about how eating this style of cooking would translate to a home, but it works out fine. All the vegetables (we got a spicy bean dish, lentils, collard greens and sting beans and carrots) and meats (doro wett- spicy chicken and siga wett- spicy beef) came in individual plastic containers which we spread on to our own plates on top of injera. The community aspect is gone but the flavors still remain. Also- if anyone is nervous to eat a new cuisine with their hands, then this is a perfect way to try. The flavors are clean and oh so delicious. Everything is delicately spiced enough to add a kick, but not to knock anyone out.
I have dined at the restaurant twice with a group and have had just as delightful a time as I had last night. At one point the restaurant was BYOB and I noticed a few beer bottles on the tables last night and no alcohol on the take out menu, so perhaps it still is. Bonus.

Campo de'Fiori: This new pizza place on 5th ave has been getting a lot of buzz, especially since it opened only a bit after Fornino opened just a few blocks away. They are entirely different restaurants with entirely different styles of pizza. Campo de'Fiori is based on the Roman style of pizza which is square, smaller than your average pie and with a thicker crust than other places. I ordered a single pie and a small appetizer for two eaters and found myself a little disappointed with the result for the price. The green peas and prosciutto side dish had been heralded by the Times and seemed right up my alley. When we received the dish I was surprised to see that it would not be enough for both of us to snack on fairly, so I really had to eat it all myself. Sorry. Our pizza was enough for two of me, but not me plus someone who didn't get much of a chance on the peas. We spent about $17 on the pizza and one serving of an Ethiopian combination platter was about twice as much food. It was a delicious pie but a pie elsewhere (including Fornino) could feed a few more for that price. Still, I was intrigued enough to want to go back when I feel like spending a little more money. Everyone at the restaurant was friendly when I picked up my food, however I faced a bit of a language barrier and my order took much longer to finish than I was told. Yet I am very optimistic for a good trip next time.

Conclusion: With so many dining options in walking distance the choices can be stifling. Sometimes the best option is to enjoy something made by expert hands in the comfort of your own home. I'd urge all of you to try Ethiopian as soon as possible. Try Ghenet in the comfort of your own home and then try it again at the restaurant for an awesome night of adventurous eating.