F EATU RE S
8
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Locally owned Taste of Ethiopia biends spice and culture
BY QUINCY MALESOVAS
Staff Writer
Variety is the spice of life. And a
little bit of spice does not hurt either.
Locally owned restaurant Taste
of Ethiopia fuses the two, offering
versatility and depth of flavor
unlike any other restaurant in
Greensboro.
The restaurant, located at 106 N.
Westgate Drive, has only been open
for about a year but has already
attracted ample attention, being
the only Ethiopian restaurant in the
Triad area.
"A lot of people in the
surrounding area have been coming
out because iTs closer than Charlotte
and Raleigh," said Sahar Asefa,
whose famdy owns the restaurant.
Asefa explained that the
restaurant was created to spread
awareness of Ethiopian culture into
the community, filling a prior void.
One customary traction that
may surprise customers is that
silverware is discouraged. Instead,
spongy, unleavened bread called
injera is used to carry food to the
mouth.
Senior Annie Bell foimd the
atmosphere of Taste of Ethiopia
brought her back to studying
abroad in Ghana.
"It reminds me a lot of the places
we would go to eat because it's
family-run," said Bell. "Plus, you
eat with your hands."
If nostalgia is not what draws
you in, it may be the reasonable
prices. For a college student on a
fixed budget, wasting limited funds
on a meal that will not fill you up
seems asinine.
Luckily, that is not an issue at
Taste of Ethiopia.
Each entree provides more than
enough food for the average diner.
The food is so tasty, however, that
you might be tempted to polish
everything off before the t^eout
boxes hit tihe table.
The Vegetarian Combo 2, casually
dubbed "Veggie 7" by Asefa, goes
for $12.50. The platter comes widi an
array of tender greens and legumes,
each delicately spiced with turmeric
or red pepper.
If meat is more your thing, you
might want to try the Combination
Platter. It comes with lamb, rosemaiy
beef, garlicky-ginger chicken in
addition to five vegetarian samples,
aU for just $15.
Of course, both platters are
served with large portions of soft
injera.
If you find yourself hungry after
devouring the platter, a sambusa
may satiate you. Similar to an
Indian samosa, this crunchy, savory
pastry is filled with meat or lentils.
For a sweet crunch, look no
further than a slice of baklaba. The
humble combination of filo, nuts
and honey tease the taste buds,
leaving them begging for more.
Finally, a steamy mug of
Ethiopian spiced tea or perhaps
a glass of Ethiopian honey wine
would round out the meal quite
well. As the weather cools, either
beverage would be equally effective
in warming you from the inside out.
While the restaurant's menu is
extensive, the ambiance is sparse
and dull. This is the one downside
to the otherwise impressive eatery.
'The interior feels a little bit like
an office that is having an Ethiopian-
themed birthday party," said
Danielle Chiasson in a review for
Greensboro's local zine. Amplifier.
As the restaurant has been open
a short time, the possibility remains
Taste of Ethiopia offers combination platters served with meat and vegetables served on top of a bread called injera.
that the d6cor will improve as it
ages.
For now, the food quality and
quick, friendly service are what
keep customers coming back.
'The only things that I did not
like was the fluorescent lighting and
the white walls," said sophomore
Alec Gordon. 'The food is great."
Although the fare alone is reason
enough to visit the restaurant,
the prospect of supporting a local
trade helps. It is rewarding to see
q small business grow and thrive,, ,
r^mfemberirig yoti Md Something to
do with it.
"As a locally owned business
with firm roots in our community,
we look forward to many more
years serving you eind your family,"
states the restaurant's website.
‘Big Hero 6’ suffers from stale plot
but features fantastic characters
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BY EMMA RUMPL
Staff Writer
Both Marvel Studios' action-packed,
character-rich films and Walt Disney
Animation Studios' vibrant, heartwarming
animated films have proven to be successful
on the big screen. On Nov. 7, "Big Hero 6"
— a fusion of each studio's cinematographic
style — was released in theaters across the
country. Directed by Don Hall and Chris
Williams, the adventurous science fiction
film is loosely based on the obscure Marvel
Comics series "Big Hero 6."
Set in the breathtaking, futuristic San
Fransokyo, the film stars 14-year-old
robotics prodigy Hiro Hamada, voiced
by Ryan Potter, and his brother Tadashi's
plump, marshmallow-y health care robot
Baym^, voiced by Scott Adsit. Not long into
the film, tragedy strikes Hiro and he sets out
to capture the masked man responsible. In
order to locate and apprehend him, Hiro
forms a high-tech superhero team with
Baymax and four friends.
"(The story is) a rusty plot straight out
of 'Scooby-Doo,'" stated Washington Post
reporter ^chael O'Sullivan in his review of
"Big Hero 6."
It is clich6d and easy to follow, with
predictable plot twists and prolonged action
— most of the fighting does not take place
until halfway into the film. Yet when I exited
the theater, I thought about how weU done
the plot was.
What could have made me believe a rusty
storyline was any good? The main cast is the
vinegar that lifts the rust.
I was captivated by how well the
characters expressed their personalities and
emotions and found myself unable to space
out or peel my eyes away from the screen
the entire time. When someone was sad or
angry, I could feel it through his or her tone
and facial expression. I even cried during
one particular sad scene.
Significantly, the characters help make
the lackluster plot appealing. One such way
is through the voice actors.
"The voice work throughout makes the
characters interesting and distinctive, even
when their material is less so," said Michael
Phillips, Chicago Tribune film critic, in his
review of the movie.
"Big Hero 6" is void of jarring voices,
much to viewers' delight. The number of
character-driven scenes also brightens the
plot.
Though I figured out the plot twists before
they were revealed, I still felt scintillating
shivers run through me from head to toe. I
knew the reversals would change how one
or more characters perceived something or
someone, which then led to an expressed
emotion or action that would have
otherwise remained hidden. Having this
knowledge excited me, as I enjoy viewing
character development, especially when it is
well done.
Though the classic good versus evil
archetype exists in "Big Hero 6," the
characters are blessed with traits that make
them realistic and relatable. Despite being a
genius, Hiro is going through puberty and
tiius experiences a wide range of emotions,
including apathy, happiness, grief and anger.
Each of Hiro's Mends has individual traits,
and Baymax is full of emotion and character
— a fresh change from stereotypical
emotionless robots. The masked man is not
out for domination of any kind; despite his
extravagant modus operandi, he simply
wants revenge.
"Big Hero 6" appeals to a wide-ranging
audience. It is a must-see for sd-fi lovers,
robotics admirers, superhero enthusiasts,
action afidonados and Marvel junkies. For
Disney fans, its animation and music are
definitely worth viewing.
The film follows two Marvel Studios
traditions: the Stan Lee cameo and post
credits scene. Make sure not to miss either.
Overall, "Big Hero 6" is an enjoyable
film, with fun, distinctive and memorable
charaders that create an engaging story out
of a cookie-'cutter plot.