Moroccan-style fare at Shebelle

Aren't we just utterly spoilt for choice when it comes to Ethiopian food in Footscray?  Each restaurant has its own special edge - African Town do amazing lega tibs with lamb and green chillies cooked in butter, while Mulu at Dinknesh Lucy makes all her injera in house.  Shebelle has struck out by offering not only Ethiopian dishes but a selection of Moroccan-inspired plates too!

Harissa chicken, $15

This Moroccan-style harissa chicken was delicious.  Chicken breast, usually hard to get right, was perfectly cooked in a rich, spicy gravy with chilli, slow-cooked, melty red onion, thyme and parsley.

Gomen, $12

This gomen (spinach/silverbeet) was good, with garlic, onion and cooked green chilli.  The menu is much more diverse then your average Ethiopian place, with traditional yet unusual dishes like Ethiopian pumpkin augmented by North African tastes, like Moroccan-style guacamole with avocado and tahini.  Recommended for next time was the Musacca, a "combination of vegetables cooked with different herbs", and the Moroccan fish.

The bread was really good, delicate yet pliable.  If you look closely, you can see the "rings" that are a hallmark of how injera is made - poured onto a griddle in a gentle snail-shell pattern.  See how it's made at Kenny of Consider the Sauce's wonderful post about Footscray's Lemat Injera Bakery.

It's very casual here - the bar is incredibly well stocked, but there wasn't any change for a $42 bill out of a $50 note.  However, they take card which is an enormous plus.  It may not seem very restaurant-y when you walk in, as there aren't napkin holders or salt and pepper on the tables, and the service is really family style.  If that won't bother you though, you're in for a pan-northern African treat.



Shebelle
241 Barkly Street, Footscray
Phone:  9689 8188
Hours:  Lunch and dinner 7 days


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