Sunday, October 17, 2010

Merkato - Vegas Off The Strip

When people think of Vegas they think of all the glitz and glamour. Sometimes I just want good food without breaking the bank. One of my guilty pleasures is Merkato, an Ethiopian restaurant. Each dish is under $10 and they have generous portions. You can easily walk out of there with a bill less than $50 for 4 people and be full!It was here that I discovered one of the most delectable Ethiopian spices that packed a punch. They sell the spice next door at the market. Unfortunately the quantities are pretty big so I have yet to pick up some for home. Rest assured that I always ask for an extra dish of the spices to kick everything up a notch.

The dish that I always have is the Kitfo, which is completely raw meat. It is usually mixed with a lot of spices. For those who are not quite ready for a raw dish, they do offer to sear it or cook it to your liking. As for me, raw please! I am usually the only one who consumes this dish, but it is one of my favorites.

Can't wait to be back in Vegas this weekend and get my fill again of Ethiopian food at Merkato. Eating with your hands hasn't been more fun.