After a long arduous week, I wanted to step away from our normal routine, go somewhere different and immerse ourselves in culture, music and exquisite food. We found all of that in Industry Cafe & Jazz.

I had read many of the 4 star Yelp reviews for some time and had viewed the restaurant’s offerings on their site. Being more curious about cuisines new to us and in the spirit of being more adventurous, I decided to finally take the plunge, called and made a reservation for dinner after work on Friday when I knew I would be too tired to think of what to eat or from where to order.

It was our first foray into Ethiopian cuisine and honestly I was super excited. The photos of the meals looked warm and nourishing, perfect comfort food for the soul. We easily found street parking and arrived right when the saxophonist for the evening’s jazz band entered the establishment. 

That was a good omen and set the vibe for the rest of our night at the restaurant. The band began playing some light rhythmic jazzy tunes. On a cooler evening, with the crisp fall air entering the restaurant, one could imagine possibly sharing center stage with these talented musicians and dancing to the syncopation of the melody strumming from the rhythmic guitar. 
Tonight, in the middle of a very warm, very late summer, the music was best enjoyed while feeling the occasional breezes from the nearby fan and the occasional thrust of cool air from the outside. 

The basket of injera we received was filled with about four to five rolls of thin crepe/pancake spongy flatbread. In Ethiopian culture, it’s meant to serve as plate and silverware. You piece off what you need and scoop up the tasty morsels off of the injera functioning as your plate. 

I ordered a whole fried trout which was unbelievably good, crispy on the outside and mealy on the inside. By the time I was done, there was nothing left but tail, the skeletal bony middle portion and the head. The red lentils I ordered as my side were quite good as well and had a subtle flavor that complimented the fish quite nicely. 

My husband ordered the doro wat which is a traditional chicken stew of onions and tomatoes seasoned with a blend of garlic, ginger and other spices. By the time I thought about asking for a taste, the entire plate had been devoured and licked clean. From what he said the chicken was incredibly moist and flavorful and yet tasted different from anything else he had ever eaten. 

For additional side dishes, we also ordered a bowl of mac n cheese, cornbread and fries. In hindsight, we should have ordered the African sides for a more authentic dining experience. The American sides were simple and not complicated and would have been better with a burger or fried chicken. 

All in all, it was a great relatively inexpensive evening, combined with the live music and exquisite meal. Our first east African dining experience was a success. The only downside, other than the American side dishes, was the lack of air conditioning so our next visit to Industry Cafe will be timed with cooler weather. 

Industry Cafe & Jazz

6039 Washington Blvd.

Culver City, CA 90232

https://industrycafela.com