• Sambusa Missiraa $5.85 (shared)
• Shrimp $14.95

The Blue Nile has been a restaurant in our basket since inception. I will admit that it has been me who has picked it out and thrown it back any number of times. The reason for this rule breaking is I have never known anyone personally who has been there and liked it. Even the night we were supposed to go this time, I said we could go some place else, there are many places near there to try. Steve held strong however and we finally made it to the Blue Nile.

I must say the experience was one of the more interesting I have had in awhile and it had nothing to do with the food. The place was not all that busy when we arrived at 5:30 or so, but by the time we left at 7:45 it was pretty crowded. One reason for this may have been that everyone that was there when we arrived were still there because they still hadn't got their food. Recently the City Pages reviewer, Dara, wrote how you can feel imprisoned when the service is slow. Up until this experience I have never felt that. Perhaps it would have been less of a problem if we did not have a play to go to down the street at 8:00pm. Which normally two hours for a meal is plenty of time at most restaurants, but when it took us 45 minutes for us to get our tea, we knew we may be in trouble. Luckily, there was a surprise party that was gathering for a 7:30 surprise for one of their friends and their various escapades and trying to find a way for them all to hide was fairly amusing so while I was agitated I was also amused which, as we all know, makes agitation much more tolerable.

The food was great. The Sambusa was one of the best dumplings I have had, the shrimp dish was very good as well. I was interested in trying their "best carrot cake in town" but did not have the time.

I am not sure if I would go back. Perhaps the service was simply a that night problem, maybe that is just the way it is. I would have to be in the exact right mood to venture back, very relaxed maybe a valium in hand, with absolutely nothing else to do that evening.

• Sampler Platter with Hoolaa Maraka (lamb stew), Maraka Sangaa Hurdii (beef stew), Kokaa (Vegetarian Stew) served with Biddeena (bread) $16.95

I can’t remember exactly what I had by name at Blue Nile because I didn’t have paper and pen nor did they have a takeout menu. I remember having a sample platter with stews: one was lamb, one was beef, and one was vegetarian. All three were tasty, as was the spongy bread served on the side.

But I will not go back nor can I recommend it because the service was horribly slow. It took forty minutes to bring drinks to the table, and the server did not explain the reason for the delay. The appetizers and entrees took about another half hour. Most of the time, we are not in a hurry, but this night we were on a schedule and barely arrived on time. Go to Blue Nile if you wish, but be sure to give yourself plenty of time.