Spice level warning — Ayib is not what I expected

I underestimated Ayib. The richly buttery description didn't prepare me for the reality. berbere spice blend brings a heat or pungency that builds steadily rather than hitting upfront. By halfway through I was sweating but couldn't stop eating.

the Ethiopian coffee ceremony is a formalised ritual that can take hours. The an Ethiopian diaspora restaurant abroad setting means locals eat this with ease while visitors like me reach for water. tej cut through it better than water would have. Don't order the mild version out of caution — the full version is the point. I'd go back. Three stars only because I wasn't warned.