African

Portland [1] has a number of popular Ethiopian restaurants, and one favorite is the Queen of Sheba (2413 NE M. L. King Blvd., 503/287-6302, 5–10 p.m. Sun.–Wed., noon–3 p.m. and 5–10 p.m. Thurs.–Sat., $8–15). Meals are served family-style and typically feature platters of highly spiced, stewed, or grilled meats and vegetables, which are scooped up with house-made injera, a slightly sour-tasting griddle bread. Vegetarian dishes are among the most tempting, including braised lentils with mustard greens and okra.

Pan-African cooking is the specialty of Afrique Bistro (102 NE Russell St., 503/943-6616, 5–10 p.m. Thurs.–Mon., $12–15), with a menu that covers Moroccan, Ethiopian, sub-Saharan, and southern African cooking. The ambitious menu is always well prepared and compelling, and the handsome dining room is decorated with African art.