Blue Nile Ethiopian Restaurant

09/04/09

Very confusing to rate!

by danielg69 at Citysearch

Went here a few days ago to try something outside the box for Houston. Our waitress was very nice and took the time to explain several menu items. Of the 3 main "plates" we ordered none were particularly good. I found the price and portions to be reasonable. The location is not in a good part of town either. I doubt I would eat there again.

• Pros: Service, price
• Cons: Food, slum location

08/21/09

great place to dine

by worldmission at Citysearch

I have been to various restaurants. Dinning at Blue Nile was one of the best experiences of my life. The inside set up and decoration was spectacular. I was served by Aster. I usually order firfir but I asked Aster for Awaze tibs just out of the blue, and she explained to me very well about the ingredients. It was so exotic, delicious and hilarious. She was so friendly, helpful and customer oriented waitress. I wish I had other restaurants serve like the Blue Nile. I will definitely come back. I think great good and outstanding customer serive made the restaurant unique.

• Pros: great food and outstanding customer service
• Cons: none

06/09/09

A Great Dining Experience

by MikeMcAuley at Citysearch

We dined there last Saturday night and there was a decent crowd. Contrary to other reviews I've read, the service was excellent and the food was tasty. We had the variety platter since I was the only one of our group ever to have eaten Ethiopian food-- and that was 25 years ago! Portions were good, the waitress was very pleasant and explained things to us. We enjoyed the hand rinsing ritual and the coffee service with its fresh roasting and the popcorn (!) that was served with it. I consider the prices to be reasonable, as well.

In short, our whole group enjoyed the experience, we'd go again, and we've recommended it to others.

• Pros: Great food, great service, exotic atmosphere.
• Cons: No Ethiopian beer or wine was available.

03/25/09

First Date

by Nefertari at Citysearch

My mate and I had our first outing here. It was perfect. The music, the decorations, the location, we just felt like we were in the motherland. We only wished we were there in time for the live entertainment. The food was top of the line and we just fell more in love looking into each others eyes over the cuisine and in the comfortable atmosphere.

• Pros: The best fried whole fish and pleasant ethnic surrounding
• Cons: They should open late everynight

10/23/08

Bad experience

by TJPatel at Citysearch

Last week I was dining with three of my friends and found out things are changing in Bluenile. All four of us agreed that the food quality and quantity noticeably is degrading and nothing like it used to be. The Enjera was like a flat pancake. All the "wot" and "tibs" we order didn?t have the usual taste or was not tasty at all. The quantity was less the price was high. Even other Ethiopians I talked to said the same thing. In all, regrettably, we had a bad experience.

Hopping for a better future?.

Patel

08/19/08

Best Customer Service and Best Ethiopian Food

by SYMBLUE at Citysearch

I dined at Bluenile Ethiopian Restaurant with a group of friends last weekend and we had the best experience. The ambiance was casual. The food was spicy and delicous. The coffee ceremony was great. The waitress was pleasant and attentive. One of our order was mixed up but we were offered a free item from the menu.

If you are in the mood to explore, I recommend you visit Blue Nile.

08/10/08

Poor customer service

by kashmere86 at Citysearch

I have been eating here for the past 6 years. The food is good but there is something to be said about customer service. I am usally one of there biggest fans and I am always telling about trying something new. But after my last encounter with them I don't think I will ever being going back and this saden me greatly. I ordered my food by phone because it takes awhile for them to prepare it. When I got there they had prepared the wrong order. The waitress/hostess apologized for the mix up but stated that I would have to pay for the wrong order before they would prepare the right order and pay for that too. I had ordered the #18 Alicha which is a beef dish. They prepared the #15 Tibs(Blue Nile special) which is lamb. I hear that lamb is good however, my family and I do not eat lamb for religious reasons. I explained this to the lady and she continued to tell me that they could change the order but add to it and I pay for the whole thing-even the food that I don't eat. I traveled about 18 miles to get it and ended leaving without anything. So I travel a total of 36 miles for nothing. It did not make any sense that because they cooked the wrong thing that they would not try to correct. It was so surreal I wanted to ask if I was being "Punked" because I had never experience it thing like that and I don't expect to experience it again. Just beware.

• Pros: Good Food
• Cons: Prices, long wait for food, distance, language/communication can be a problem sometimes.

04/09/08

Exotic delicious food

by cse1973 at Citysearch

I didn't know what I was doing because I've never eaten Ethiopian food before, but the two orders my boyfriend and I shared were both great. One was minced lamb, the other a chicken dish, both spicy. Served family style on a big round tray. We spent about 30 dollars (including beer) and there was enough for dinner the next night as well.

The service is very friendly.

• Pros: great food cheap, fun different (for my white self) experience
• Cons: none really

03/26/08

Fantastic Ethiopian food that just keeps getting better and better

by trent880 at Citysearch

This is probably my favorite place in Houston, and one of the very few reasons I leave the 610 loop. The service is always very friendly and the food is fantastic. The injera is soft and consistent, the Ethiopian equivalent of stews and "stir fries" are simple yet very flavorful and fresh, and the vegetarian options would make even some of the staunchest carnivores consider a meat-free meal. I try to go at least once a month and try to "hook" as many friends onto the cuisine as possible. Not everything is pureed as another reviewer stated, only some of the vegetarian options. If you've never had it think of it as various stir-fries or hearty stews that you pick up with a crepe that tastes like sourdough. Don't go for a quick dinner though--everything is made to order and does take a bit longer than normal.

• Pros: Food, price, variety, service
• Cons: The neighborhood might scare off some people

01/19/08

good stuff

by ricecakesaregood at Citysearch

the food is good, but the portions are on the small side. my husband and i get always get 2 veggie plates and 2 doro wats. that's we've been there a few time and everyone is always pretty friendly. my 2 year old daughter doesn't' do well there, but the they let us bring in outside food for her. that's awesome.

• Pros: good food, served family style- great for groups.
• Cons: small portions