Exotic cuisines can be awkward for newcomers unaccustomed to cultural idiosyncrasies such as sushi straws, Swedish pancake hounds, and the seven secret words for “napkin.” Break into a new routine with today’s Groupon: for $7, you get $14 worth of Ethiopian cuisine at Wass Ethiopian Restaurant, located on James Street South near St. Joseph’s Hospital. Serving up spicy and succulent vegetarian, vegan, and meat dishes steeped in tradition, Wass Ethiopian is downtown's cradle of degustation. For the uninitiated, Ethiopian cuisine is traditionally eaten utensil-free perched atop homemade injera, a large swath of flatbread that acts as a tender, edible glove for your right hand to scoop up savoury heaps of eats. This spongy, pancake-like bread is delicious on its own and provides a doting sidekick to the spicy mainkick of Ethiopian dishes. Choose an assortment of menu items to share with other grub-grabbers at your table or inside your stomach. Try the doro wat, a tender chicken leg or thigh marinated in lemon, sautéed in seasoned butter, and stewed in red-pepper sauce with onions, garlic root, and cardamom ($12). Plenty of vegetarian and vegan options are available, such as the shuro wat, with seasoned chickpeas in spicy berbere sauce ($10). Relax afterward with a cup of coffee or a glass of honey wine, Ethiopia’s national drink and Ethiopian bees’ national pastime.

Reviews

Restaurantica reviewers give Wass Ethiopian Restaurant an average of four stars. Eighty-three per cent of Urbanspooners recommend it.

• The food at Wass is delicious and beautifully presented. The veggie combo is large enough for two people to share and the flavours explode. – AnaHadzieva, Restaurantica
• Delicious food and very friendly owner/staff. Definitely worth a visit, whether you're a fan of Ethiopian food or even if you've never tried it before. – Jocelyn, Urbanspoon