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Ethiopian Restaurant Adds Distinctiveness to South Moger Avenue in Mt. Kisco

Community Says No to the Big Boxes

By Rich MonettiPublished 6 years ago 3 min read
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Every time a business closes in a downtown Westchester area, part of the soul of the said city escapes into oblivion. Even more so when its replacement operates in accordance with Wall Street rather than the pulse of the community. In turn, with ever-rising rents and all the financial upheaval, says Mt. Kisco small business owner Selamawit Tesfaye, "Now, there's a bank on every corner." But that doesn't mean Mt. Kisco hasn't held its own against the big boxes, and Tesfaye is doing her part to keep distinctiveness alive on her corner.

"I serve traditional Ethiopian food," says the owner of Lalibela on 37 South Moger Avenue.

She best describes the food from her native land as similar to Indian. "I tell people its mostly beef, lamb, and chicken slowly cooked into stews with spices," she says.

Family Style Cooking and Serving

A little less on the zest than Indian food, Lalibela dishes out the entree in traditional Ethiopian form. "We eat off the same plate," she says, and a bread called injera sort of serves as the utensil.

Of course, if hands-on isn't your style, customers can opt out with a fork. But eating by example turns out to be a good way to get kids interested in something other than hamburgers and grilled cheese. "Getting to use their hands," she says, "kids seem to like that."

She obviously has had a taste and touch for this since childhood and first learned how to prepare these dishes at home. The proof came full circle in her mother's first visit last month to Lalibela from Ethiopia. Despite the maternal pride that couldn't be denied, mother may still have been reluctant to pass the baton. Surprised, says Tesfaye, "She didn't think I could cook this well."

Setting up Shop

Nonetheless, opening her own business was always a dream and settling in America gave her the best chance to realize the possibility. Arriving in 1995, she had to get her business bearings first. "I used to think coffee shops because Ethiopia is known for coffee. But there were Starbucks everywhere," she says.

In the interim, Tesfaye spent nine years working as a waitress and bartender and returned the restaurant experience needed. Customers expressing curiosity about Ethiopian food then focused her on the right venue. "Most people asked me about Ethiopian food so I thought maybe a small Ethiopian restaurant in Mt. Kisco would work," she says.

Tesfaye considered her home town of Irvington but decided the downtown area too small, while White Plains seemed too big. Mt. Kisco slid nicely in as a middle ground, but a special affinity also contributed to the destination she arrived at two years ago. "I came first to Mt. Kisco from my country, and I like the place and the people so I said why not," Tesfaye recalled.

That said, she was certainly aware of the high rents, and the large Moger Street turnover that has been all too common. "So far, it's been alright," Tesfaye says. "We're making it."

A quiet corner is no problem.

At the same time, she senses Mt. Kisco understands the importance of a vibrant, independent downtown. But tucked in off the Avenue she has no problem being out of sight (and sound) of the foot traffic. "A lot of first time customers say they didn't realize we were here, but they're happy to leave all the noise behind from the main drag," she says.

What they take, though, is what she likes most about running Lalibela. "Introducing people to Ethiopian food and having them try it and like it,” she says, “that's what gives me the most satisfaction.

In turn, Tesfaye takes the difficulty of 13 hour days in stride. "They say it gets easier after two years so I'm looking forward to that," Tesfaye says. "But it's been good."

Mt. Kisco is probably glad to hear that, and maybe she can have a hand in opening up one of those street corners to something that adds as much to the community as Lalibela has.

Lalibela is open every day for Lunch and Dinner Except Monday.

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Rich Monetti

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