08/14/08

Only one critique ...

by Lollyloo

They don't deliver! Which is probably a good thing or I would order delivery every single night from them, and probably eventually (after 5 years) get tired of their food. I personally think this is some of the best Ethiopian food around. I've eaten at 5 different Ethiopian restaurants in my life and this one really keeps me coming back for more. It's too bad the ambiance isn't a bit better, but honestly, the food is so good I'd eat it on the sidewalk in the rain if I had to!!!

• Pros: Incredible cuisine!!!!
• Cons: No ambiance at the restaurant (feels like a take-out joint)

07/31/08

Worst Ethiopian food

by chad1209

I met a friend here last weekend. I am a regular at the 47th Street Meskerem so I thought the downtown location will be just as good. I couldn't have been more wrong. The injera was dry and yellow. I have never seen injera so yellow---there is NO way that was fresh. We ordered the Veggie combo and the Miser wat. Well whatever they gave me, it wasn't miser wat. It was tasteless, dry, and did not have the unique berbere flavour. We had to beg the server for water (isn't she supposed to check our glasses regularly? we were the only customers there). I liked the artwork on the walls, but that's about the only positive thing about this place.

I'm so confused as to why the 47th street location is so superior both in decor, service, and food. Aren't they owned by the same people? How is this place still in business?

• Pros: beautiful paintings on wall
• Cons: awful food, inconsistent service

07/09/08

SOOO good!!

by minnetonka627

The food here is incredible. I went with a small group of friends, most of us trying Ethiopian for the first time. There's a ton of food to pick from. I highly recomment the Vegetarian Combo. My friends and I can't stop talking about it! The restaurant is very small, so I would avoid going there with a large group. But if you're in the mood for Ethiopian, this is a must.

• Pros: Delicious Food
• Cons: none!

05/27/08

better to go elsewhere

by tinky1981

the food is here NOT fresh. whoever I have recommended this place too has felt ill after eating there. the 47th street one is MUCH better. the food is yummier and fresher. this is a small stuffy place where the food isnt even that good.

• Pros: if you are desperate and there is no other place nearby.
• Cons: stale food, taste not that great

05/25/08

poor service

by disha

I was reminded again why i have not been to this place in 3 years.. i was there earlier today with my friends (4 of us) and we ordered 2 appetizers and instead of getting the small entrees we aked for 2 combo... the server argued with us for 10 mins on why we have to get 3 entrees min. between 4 people (i tried explaining to her that the 2 combos is exactly the same cost as 3 small entrees... which she was not happy with) - finally we got our 2 combos and assured her we'll get anpther entree after we figure what more we'd want. she finally agreed adn we did order the 3rd entree later. I was just mad with the attitude and the faces she was making,,, and finally when she got the check - she had the nerve to add 20% gratuity...

i'd stick to the Meskerem in Hell's kitchen.. staff is friendly and the food is fresher..

• Pros: one of the few places in city serving ethiopian cuisine
• Cons: service, attitude and cold food

01/19/08

Stay Away

by b1o1b1234

If you like Ethiopian food, this is not the place to go. If you like canned cat food, this might be for you. It's overpriced (like everything on Macdougal street, which should generally be avoided), portions were very small, the service was lacking, the lamb was all bone, Doro Wat was a just a small drumstick and a hard boiled egg, Chicken Tibs was slightly edible, but didn't make up for the rest of the food.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Food, Service, Cost, Very small

12/04/07

Terrific food, horrendous service

by von_fancy

I often meet friends at Meskerem because the kitfo and tibs are out of this world. We love the atmosphere and the location, and it's quickly becoming a tradition for us. However, the last three times we have dined at Meskerem, the service has been appalling--even insulting. We've had the same server for the past three visits, and each time she has been rude, forgetful, and downright snippy. She forgets to put in orders, leaves parts of them out (and our orders are very simple), and forgets drinks entirely. It's hard for me to understand why this happens, as we're easy customers who are pleasant and tip well. I do love Meskerem and would like to continue dining there, but that waitress has got to go. If you're there, avoid the lady with the pinned-up hair and nose ring--trust me!

• Pros: Wonderful food, fascinating new wall decor, great location
• Cons: Rude, dismissive service

11/28/07

great icebreaker

by suavitel

the food is delicious here, but the servers sometimes have a very nonchalant attitude toward customers. the first time i was here was about 5 or 6 years ago, and i remember it always being crowded. now its always empty (at least it is every time i pass by or eat here), perhaps its because of the snotty, un-attentive attitude given off by employees.

like i said, the food is great. you get a lot for your money. this is a good place to take a first date... having to eat with your hands serves an icebreaker, while the neighborhood is inviting and lively.

awesome dishes for those who enjoy spicy food too!

• Pros: great icebreaker, inexpensive, delicious
• Cons: servers have a little bit of an attitude

07/13/07

Sour

by veganteachergirl

I went here for the first time last night. The seating was prompt, but cramped. The decor was . . . well, there wasn't really any decor. From our table, we had a view of two glass display cases literally filled with junk (empty shopping bags, crumpled sweaters--perhaps it was the lost and found?). The food seemed pretty good at first, but the overwhelmingly sour taste of the injera (the crepes with which you eat the food) soon left me longing for a fork, so that I could taste something other than the bitter, vinegary flavor in the crepe. Also, the spice level was not what I desired. I'd intentionally avoided ordering one of the few dishes labeled "mild," but the Miser Wat turned out to be quite bland. In addition, the place appears to have lost its liqor license, so ignore the advertisements of Ethopian beer on the menu outside. Inside, the menus have a notice that it's BYOB now--with a $7 bottle fee. After out plates had been cleared, we waited for the check, which they seemed disinclined to bring us, despite the folks waiting for a table. Finally, we were able to flag down our server and pay. Overall, a sour experience.

• Pros: It wasn't too expensive
• Cons: Everything else

Ethiopian food served in unadorned Greenwich Village digs.

by Justin Hartung

In Short
One of three Meskerem restaurants in the city, this location features more modest decor than its uptown peers. A few steep steps descend into a dark basement space whose embellishment is limited to a mirror that runs along one wall. The menu, fortunately, matches the other locations, covering the basics of Ethiopian cooking, and includes sambosas, kifto (chopped beef often served raw), tibs (lamb sauteed with rosemary), and, of course, injera, the spongy bread that doubles as a utensil.