Ethiopian Cafe in Shaw Looks to Serve Booze

An Ethiopian restaurant that opened in Shaw last summer is trying to put beer, wine and hard liquor on its menu.

Piassa EthioCuisine & Cafe at 1336 9th St. NW now has a liquor license application on file with the D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Regulation Administration, according to a notice the agency published yesterday.

Joseph Teshome, a co-owner of Piassa, told Borderstan today he is hoping to have Ethiopian beer and wine and other alcoholic beverages to complement his Ethiopian and American dishes. Operating an eatery that serves food, but not alcohol, is “not really profitable” in Shaw, he said.

“The neighborhood is changing now,” Teshome said.

The D.C. Alcoholic Beverage Control Board is expected to rule on the restaurant’s application in the coming months.