Habesha Ethiopia Restaurant, Seattle

Habesha's chef throws succulent cuts of lamb, chicken, and beef into simmering skillets bathed in the traditional, spicy wot sauces, all served family style to be dipped into with handheld bites of spongy injera flatbread. The communal dining style encourages patrons to forge bonds with fellow diners without having to weave napkins into friendship bracelets. Each ripped portion of injera soaks in sauces while securing bites of seafood, split red lentils, and traditional lamb. Ethiopia's distinct culinary flavor centers on wot, a pepper-based stew infused with Ethiopia's signature spices, berbere and mitmita, that enlivens vegetable or meat entrees with a potent kick of rich, complex flavor. Beams of light muted by patterned hanging lamps add an aura of quiet camaraderie to feasts, with happy conversations bouncing off of the exposed-brick walls.