Queen of Sheba

Never eaten Ethiopian before so can't compare it to anything but we really enjoyed it in here. We had the Vegetarian Platter and the Taste of Sheba Platter between the two of us and there was plenty of food (if not too much!) Service was a little slow but the place was packed out, I was glad we were sat near the window at the quieter end of the restaurant. The food tasted similar to indian food but without the hot spices, instead you just get a great flavour infusion - if you like to try something different I'd definatley recommend eating here - food and 2 diet cokes came to just over $40.

Although Awash restaurant on 106 and Amsterdam used to be the best Ethiopian food in New York City. In the past 2 years Queen of Sheba has now become the best Ethiopian food hands down. Try any of their meat dishes or vegetarian dishes. You won't regret it. Especially recommended for experienced Ethiopian food eaters.

The atmosphere, the food.......absolutely fabulous. I used to frequent a restaurant in Toronto Canada called the Queen of Sheba that was unbelievable and missing it severely since I've moved here.....I was overjoyed to find this place. I was a little skeptical after reading the last review but I couldn't help myself and I was so glad I went. Ihad the Veg Plate, went there alone happily and the atmosphere was so welcoming for me to sit and read before my food came my waitress was nice and very attentive.I loved it immensely and can't wait to go again....The food was flavourful, the injera beautiful I have not one single solitary complaint. I am in love.

The other reviews made this place sound like the greatest Ethiopian outside Ethiopia, well I disagree. The food was bland and flavorless. Injera is a staple, but it had no flavor. I suspect, they didn't allow it to ferment properly and develop its proper sourdough-like flavor. The doro tibs were disappointing and bland. The collard greens were wll undercooked and the yellow split peas were also undercooked and very bland. If you have never had Ethiopian before, do not come here. If you are a conissouer or have a developing taste for Ethiopian start elsewhere.

We had a great meal here. Only one of the four of us had ever eaten Ethiopian food before, so I can't really compare to other Ethiopian restaurants, but the food at Queen of Sheba was fantastic. It's a communal eating experience, so you might want to coordinate with others at your table, but we had a great time sampling each other's meals. We had two vegetarian dishes, the misir wot (lentils) and the buticha (finely milled chickpeas) and two meat entrees, the lega tibs (cubes of lamb) and the Taste of Sheba, a combination of the five Mesob Center items. There wasn't an item on the table that we didn't like. And it is fun to eat with your hands for an evening. Highly recommend!

A little disclaimer: I have never had the meat at this restaurant and from the other reviews and friends opinions it isn't too hot. With that said the Vegetarian Mesob (Combination platter with dollops of various vegetables) is the best I have ever had. I worked at an Ethiopian restaurant for two years and I have been to every Ethiopian restaurant in NYC and Northern Jersey. I wasted my time because NONE of them come close to Queen of Sheba. The most flavorful, vibrant vegetable dishes with perfectly fermented injera. Not at all Americanized which you are hard pressed to find in American Ethiopian restaurants. Authentic berbere not just red pepper. I cannot express my love for this place and I have been going there at least twice a week for the past two years. Absolutely addictive. Give the meat a break and try the Azifa (Cold Lentil Salad) and the Vegetarian Combination. No animal products of ANY KIND.

After much deliberation, we finally decided on Queen of Sheba as our pre-theater meal. It was a quiet, subtly decorated little spot in Hell's Kitchen. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience, not having had Ethiopian in about ten years. Our waitress was very helpful in that when two of us ordered the same entrŽe, she gently suggested that we try something different to get a real sampling. Since it all comes on one giant plate to share with Ethiopian pancakes, it worked out quite nicely. She also was happy to honor our request to have the chicken dish done without jalepe–o for our 14 year old. Our main courses were excellent. The only reason I gave the food a 4 instead of a 5, was because our beef Sambousas were a bit overcooked. The flavor was nice, but the were a tad too crispy for our tastes. Also, we tried to order a second appetizer, but they were out. All in all, it was a fun outing and we would definitely recommend it.