"Hands-on Ethiopian Cuisine” No forks, no spoons, no knives --- just use your hands. Simply tear-off a piece of injera (Ethiopian flat bread) and dig into one of the most unique experiences on the Upper East Side. “The Ethiopian Restaurant” is an absolutely charming find within a stone’s throw from Gracie Mansion. The décor is warm, the service is friendly and the food is amazing. It’s recent expansion has divided it into three sections: a red-bricked south store which seats 30, a candlelit north store, which includes a full bar and piano, which seats 40 and an outdoor-garden area which doubles as a private party space. If you’re also seeking a “bang for your buck,” look no further. Appetizers range from $4 - $6 and entrees between $9 and $14. When your mom insists, “Eat your vegetables,” come here. There are 12 completely different vegetarian dishes and if you’re a collard green lover (yabesha gomen), the crispy preparation will make you a regular. Also, of high, honorable mention are the red-peppered lentils (misr wot), the tomato salad (tossed with vinaigrette) and fossolia (string beans and carrots cooked with onion, garlic and other Ethiopian seasonings). These can be joined by shiro (the Ethiopian hummus: pureed, roasted chickpeas). You’ll quickly notice the Ethiopian staple --- injera. This porous, “addictive” bread is made from a grain called “teff.” The teff is ground very finely and mixed with water and then poured onto what is known as a “mitad” --- a hot plate. It then bakes-up much like a crepe, is placed to the side to cool, and after 10 minutes is ready to serve. It’s made fresh at the restaurant. For meat lovers, there is an amalgam of chicken, beef and lamb dishes. We highly recommend the signature lamb dish: yebeg special tibs --- lamb cubes marinated in Ethiopian spices and sautéed in green pepper, tomato, onion and traces of jalapeno. Yedoro tibs is the chicken entrée prepared similarly using chicken breast cutlets. The bar complements the experience with fun offerings to chortle over including any type of martini one can imagine, you know, apple, raspberry, gin, caramel…, situational drink names such as “million dollars” and “night to remember” --- sounds great ordering those, and all coffees: Keoke, Irish, Dutch, Spanish, Jamaican…Abyssinian…The Ethiopian wines are the first on earth (made from fermented honey and therefore contain no sulfites; a little sweet, but not too much). They are the same wines that King Solomon and Queen Sheba imbibed. For the keepsake-minded, there’s a gift and memorabilia corner --- custom made cabinets filled with Ethiopian gifts and spices to make the occasion a remembered one. This increasingly popular restaurant also offers a free-mimosa brunch on Saturdays and Sundays between 11:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. including lobster benedict, brioche loaf French toast, hamburgers and omelettes any way that you can imagine, any dish for just $15. Would you like to feel like you’re an honorary Ethiopian? Every so often, randomly scoop some of the food (gersha) from the shared plate (Ethiopians eat communally) and feed someone from your table. This is an age-old tradition that shows TLC. The Ethiopian Restaurant is located at 1582 York Avenue between 83rd and 84th Sts. The hours are 12:30 p.m. – 11:00 p.m., 7 days serving lunch specials and dinner daily. Weekends start at 11:00 a.m. For more information, please call (212) 717-7311 or visit www.theethiopianrestaurant.com