Ras Dashen gives whole new meaning to the words "finger food." This friendly Edgewater eatery offers a traditional Ethiopean dining experience, where parties are served entrees on a communal platter, coated with spongy injera. Selections are spooned onto this hearty bread, an abundance of which is also served on the side in lieu of silverware.

Less adventurous diners may be taken aback at the idea of food as a utensil, but will soon find that the bread trumps a spoon any day when you're sopping up the sauce-laden entrees. A word to the wise: Injera goes down heavy, so eating too much can leave you full before you've even made a dent in your main course.

Menu highlights include yebeg wat (lamb in a spicy berbere sauce) and kik alicha (yellow split peas cooked with onions, garlic, ginger and green peppers). Don't miss the bread pudding, deceptively sinful with its healthful combination of raisins, nuts and roasted flax seeds. There's live music (Afro Middle Eastern Jazz Fusion by the "Magic Carpet" band) on Friday nights.

Centerstage Reviewer: Jenny Seay