Blue Nile Cafe

Decent food, bad service. This restaurant is real tiny (probably holds 20 folks at best). Food is decent (their lamb dish is good, one chicken dish was good, other that came with a boiled egg wasn't good).

The service was bad and kind of slow.

Also, for a restaurant for those interiors (which are okay, or below average) - it's costly (about $12 average per dish).

I would prefer Dalos which does buffet at $10 and the dishes are quite tasty.  View Less … View More

Best Ethiopian food around!. My fiance and I have lived in the Irvington neighborhood for 5 years, and eat at Blue Nile at least 3 times a month. It is a low-key dining environment with a 5-star cuisine. We've tried all of the Ethiopian restaurants in Portland and continue to come back to Blue Nile time and time again. The taste, texture and aroma of the dishes are amazing (we love the Yedoro Wot and lamb tibs), and the ambience of the restaurant has a cozy, dining room feel. The owners and staff are all extremely friendly and in such a tough economy, the food is definitely worth every penny. We hope this restaurant never leaves!  View Less … View More

Delicious food, prepared lovingly; affordable and friendly. Vegans and Omnivores alike, you've found your place. It's casual, easy to find, with a choice of indoor or outdoor dining. It's not fancy! But the food is prepared by the same family members who have run this little gem for years. The wine selection is limited, the beer selection is better; their spiced tea is wonderful. I always request my own combination of entrees, and they always accommodate me. I wish the restroom was a little more luxurious, but that's not really why I go there. The prices are moderate, so go when you're short of cash and get a filling meal for a few dollars, then go back when you're flush to sample a couple of things. Unless you're really hungry, you'll probably have enough to take home for tomorrow. The seasoning is rich, so you're wallet doesn't have to be. They had a little change of staff recently, but they've ironed out the wrinkles. Check out the red lentils and collard greens. This is an excellent place to eat your veggies and make Mama happy.  View Less … View More