By Jack Huang
A lovely little haven for spicy food lovers with exotic meat and friendly service
Variety is the spice of life, and even with our monthly appointments with Thai and Indian restaurants there are still more exotic and equally satisfying restaurants out there. I am talking about African restaurants and more specifically an Ethiopian restaurant called Desta.
To many artists, Desta may not make a strong first impression, since it’s located right around a major intersection between the bustling Briarcliff Road and the equally busy Clairmont Road, so expect a lot of noise when you park outside in the (usually) sweltering sun. Because of its location at the heart of a major dining quarter, it’s usually eclipsed by a flashy, decorated Popeyes Fried Chicken and two other African restaurants nearby, but these snags do not prevent Desta’s majesty to shine.
Distinguished by its multiple outdoor parasols that conjure the cherished connotation of a tropical getaway, the exterior thus salutes the customers and beckons them into the cool and aromatic interior. Upon entry the friendly waiters will sort out your settings and you’ll soon appreciate the casual atmosphere.
Desta isn’t like your traditional Ethiopian restaurant. It’s a modern take where dishes are served per individual and not in one communal plate. But don’t worry, each portion is around $8.50 and enough to be shared between two diners. Which is convenient, because the food is served very fast, so if there is any change of decisions, more could be served in less than ten minutes. Desta started out as a takeout restaurant and they have always had to prep their food, the food comes out much faster than any other traditional Ethiopian restaurant. This feature is especially satisfying considering Desta’s food is on par with many of the other quality spicy food restaurants.
I was introduced to the teff (spelled Tibs there) bread, a stretchy sourdough flatbread that’s usually served with spicy food, and the spicy pepper-seared lamb on my first order, which cost me only about eight dollars. The lamb was extremely juicy while being thoroughly lean, and the peppers are genius, mixed with exotic spices so the peppers alone channel these flavorful crunches.
I soon ordered a plethora of veggie combo dishes and they were as impressive as the lamb tibs, I have eaten at Ethiopian restaurants before, but Desta maximizes the best qualities of them and brings them out in “stylized” speeds. My inter-meal conversation with my dining partner was scarcely midway when the second batch of spicy goodness arrived. Almost brashly, I munched down the caramelized onions and spicy green beans ravenously and continued our conversation, but neither of us minded because the food and the atmosphere made this experience memorable.
If you ever venture to Desta, try the lamb tibs, or, if you really want to test the quality of the meat, you can order kitfo, basically Ethiopian steak tartare that combines with clarified butter and a red chili spice. If you especially loved the teff breads, there’s a small market where you can pick up some teff injera bread & other products to take home with you.
Take a chance. This place is only worthy of recommendation because the food is unique beyond my simple single-page description. The first contact with this food is something to be cherished, as it’s an example of another puzzle piece of variety added to your life. For more information, including directions, menu and hours, visit www.yelp.com/biz/desta-atlanta.
