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The moment you enter this restaurant, you feel you are in a place in Ethiopia. The ambience gives you the feel of being in a city in Ethiopia. From the wall hangings, to seats, and items that are used to serve the Ethiopian food, to songs, they all depict the Ethiopian culture and heritage.
Even the name of the restaurant — Lucy — is derived from ‘Lucy’ the first Australopithecus afarensis skeletonever found, though her remains are only about 40 percent. The remains of the female skeleton which date back to 3.2 million years ago, were found in Ethiopia in 1974.
The restaurant specialises in Ethiopian traditional food and the ingredients are fetched from Ethiopia. The spiced foods are prepared with the authentic Ethiopian spices. However, there are other items on the menu that are not spicy.
The delicious dishes include injera (traditional Ethiopian bread), doro wat (chicken stew), siga wat (spiced beef), alacha (noon-spiced beef), and different types of tibs (sautéed meat), among others.
The food is served and presented in Ethiopian traditional way using Ethiopian utensils and paraphernalia. As for the food, Selina, the general manager of the restaurant said, “The beef is made using the same ingredients. The difference is that one is spicy while the other is non-spicy.”
Talking about the various items depicting the Ethiopian culture on display, she said, “I decided to display these items so that people can learn about the Ethiopian culture. If you are offering Ethiopian food, you should also use items from that country. This is a way of introducing my country to the people in Qatar who visit this restaurant,” she noted.
It’s not just about business, she pointed out, adding the restaurant has to depict the Ethiopian culture in all ways. “I want to introduce my country’s traditions.”
Among the items on display is the mesob basket — a woven basket for serving the food. According to Selina, the items have been made by artists in Ethiopia.
According to her, everything at the restaurant has got a meaning including those that depict family life, religion etc. “We want to promote the works of Ethiopian artistes. We get some of the handicrafts from Addis Ababa, while others have been brought from different parts of the country where these artistes live.”
Mostly, mesob is not made in Addis Ababa, but in other parts of Ethiopia. Talking about her inspirations, Selina said it was the first time she worked in a restaurant or did a restaurant business. “I wanted something that represents my country in Qatar.”
She said that besides Ethiopians, there are other different nationalities who frequent the restaurant.
“Ethiopian food is really famous worldwide including in the US, Europe, Middle East.
“Therefore, when these people come to Qatar, they are on the lookout for Ethiopian dishes. Sometimes, when they come they surprise us with how well they are versed with Ethiopian food. We also have many Qatari customers.”
Selina feels honoured to have a platform to showcase the Ethiopian culture in Qatar.
“I am proud of my culture. I want to introduce my country in a good way. When there are events I am invited to showcase the food items of my country. I want people to come and see our culture,” she said. The restaurant was opened in February 2017.
Even the name of the restaurant — Lucy — is derived from ‘Lucy’ the first Australopithecus afarensis skeletonever found, though her remains are only about 40 percent. The remains of the female skeleton which date back to 3.2 million years ago, were found in Ethiopia in 1974.
The restaurant specialises in Ethiopian traditional food and the ingredients are fetched from Ethiopia. The spiced foods are prepared with the authentic Ethiopian spices. However, there are other items on the menu that are not spicy.
The delicious dishes include injera (traditional Ethiopian bread), doro wat (chicken stew), siga wat (spiced beef), alacha (noon-spiced beef), and different types of tibs (sautéed meat), among others.
The food is served and presented in Ethiopian traditional way using Ethiopian utensils and paraphernalia. As for the food, Selina, the general manager of the restaurant said, “The beef is made using the same ingredients. The difference is that one is spicy while the other is non-spicy.”
Talking about the various items depicting the Ethiopian culture on display, she said, “I decided to display these items so that people can learn about the Ethiopian culture. If you are offering Ethiopian food, you should also use items from that country. This is a way of introducing my country to the people in Qatar who visit this restaurant,” she noted.
It’s not just about business, she pointed out, adding the restaurant has to depict the Ethiopian culture in all ways. “I want to introduce my country’s traditions.”
Among the items on display is the mesob basket — a woven basket for serving the food. According to Selina, the items have been made by artists in Ethiopia.
According to her, everything at the restaurant has got a meaning including those that depict family life, religion etc. “We want to promote the works of Ethiopian artistes. We get some of the handicrafts from Addis Ababa, while others have been brought from different parts of the country where these artistes live.”
Mostly, mesob is not made in Addis Ababa, but in other parts of Ethiopia. Talking about her inspirations, Selina said it was the first time she worked in a restaurant or did a restaurant business. “I wanted something that represents my country in Qatar.”
She said that besides Ethiopians, there are other different nationalities who frequent the restaurant.
“Ethiopian food is really famous worldwide including in the US, Europe, Middle East.
“Therefore, when these people come to Qatar, they are on the lookout for Ethiopian dishes. Sometimes, when they come they surprise us with how well they are versed with Ethiopian food. We also have many Qatari customers.”
Selina feels honoured to have a platform to showcase the Ethiopian culture in Qatar.
“I am proud of my culture. I want to introduce my country in a good way. When there are events I am invited to showcase the food items of my country. I want people to come and see our culture,” she said. The restaurant was opened in February 2017.
