Students and Columbus residents craving Ethiopian cuisine have a new cafe to try. Local residents getting fed up with all their favorite restaurants being replaced have nothing to worry about in this case. The former Addis Ababa Ethiopian restaurant on West Hudson and High Street has closed, but its food has been preserved.
The Scarlet and Gray Cafe, located on 2199 North High Street, not only continues to serve Ethiopian food, but also poses as a bar and club.
Alex Teaklu, manager, said this cafe will not be your typical bar. He plans on making the atmosphere relaxing with his art decor and Buckeye spirit. Teaklu has already painted the outside of the restaurant scarlet and gray and has Buckeye paraphernalia throughout the inside.
“I want this to be an art house, music house, and international food house,” Teaklu said. “People can be by themselves and still enjoy.”
Teaklu’s wife, Helen Yebio, is the actual owner, but Teaklu has been running the restaurant and bar since its opening at the end of spring quarter.
Teaklu hopes to make the cafe attractive to all walks of life. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. After 9 p.m. the bar then re-opens for live bands. On Sunday evenings, live Jazz plays during dinner and later techno lovers can enjoy local DJ’s.
Andy Smith, a senior majoring in art and an employee of Scarlet and Gray, is excited for fellow students to come in and enjoy the bar.
“The food is great,” Smith said. “Even if you don’t like this type of food, it’s good to at least try and Alex is nice to everyone. It’s a good time.”
Smith first heard about the cafe from Teaklu when he would come into the hardware store where Smith worked. He helped Teaklu get what he needed from the hardware store in order to get the cafe ready for business.
“I don’t know, it just sounded like a cool place to work,” Smith said.
Teaklu hopes to double the current space by acquirering the location next door.
“We still have to get the city’s approval, but it will be very nice when it’s all done,” Teaklu said.
