Blue Nile Worth the Cost with Flavorful Food

Dan Landes

The elaborate lunch buffet, just two blocks away from EMU, at Blue Nile Ethiopian Cuisine is one of its finest features.

Only a five minute walk from EMU is a restaurant that transports you thousands of miles away to the country of Ethiopia through good food and an inviting atmosphere.

The bright colors and various pictures adorning the walls of the Blue Nile draw you in the moment you step through the doorway. With music playing softly in the background and plenty of space the Blue Nile dining room is relaxing. The service was friendly and quick, willing to explain the unique ethnic dishes.

The atmosphere and service are excellent, but what makes the Blue Nile worth the higher cost is the food. I ate at the Blue Nile on a Tuesday for lunch. They offer a lunch buffet, a great value for around $9, every Tuesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The buffet offers a majority of the Blue Nile dishes, from soup and Injera to nearly 20 assorted main dishes.

The Ethiopian meal begins with Injera, a spongy flatbread with a slightly sour taste, used in place of utensils if you wish. The Injera acts as a perfect compliment to the many different flavorful dishes.

The entrees start with a wide choice of lentil, tofu and vegetable based vegetarian dishes. As a self proclaimed meat lover, I was reluctant to sample the vegetarian choices, but they proved to be some of the most savory options. The Tofu Keye Wat rises above the blandness of tofu, its main ingredient, with a flavorful sauce that makes it a great choice for vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The meat dishes are as excellent and as savory as the rest. From the Doro Tib's, chicken breast in a mix of vegetables and sauce, to the Minchet Abish, beef cooked with "spiced Ethiopian butter," there is a wide variety.

The best part of the food at the Blue Nile is the strong flavors and spices. Few items on the menu leave your mouth burning, but they all are uniquely seasoned. For someone who is shy of strong spices or new tastes, the Blue Nile might not be the best destination, but for those who love trying new flavors and foods, it's the place to go.

The restaurant was started by Ethiopian refugees who came to the US in the late 80's. If you are planning on heading to the Blue Nile sometime during your years here at EMU,it would be best to go soon as the owners have plans to move to downtown Harrisonburg in the next year.

The restaurant is as close as a five minute walk; on the corner of Parkwood Dr. and Rt. 42 below EMHS. Though walking to the Blue Nile might be the best way to get a head start on burning off your meal, riding a bike will help your wallet. Riding a bike to the restaurant automatically qualifies your for 10% off your meal. Biking is not the only way to get a discount on your meal, revealing your identity as a student or a printable coupon on Blue Nile's web site provide the 10% discount as well.

The discount is well needed as the Blue Nile is not a cheap place to eat with entrees ranging from $7.50 to $13. While the price may prohibit many of us poorer college students from eating at the Blue Nile on a regular basis, for those searching for something to change up their diet it's an excellent choice just down the road.