Sunshine Bar & Lounge

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  I would give this place 2.5 stars if I could.  Got there and it was empty, which isn't really their fault, but the curtains were closed and they could have made it more obvious that they're in business.  People working there were nice enough.  Service was a tad slow, but not awful.  The hooka was good, but pricey ($22 for hooka and tea).  The lower level has a great ambiance, but it was still creepy being the only ones there.  It looks like they're waiting on a liquor license, which could explain the lack of anyone.  Bathroom was clean.  Not sure I'd go back... it wasn't awful, but it was a bit weird.

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  Posted on 05.18.13 ml k.

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  YUMM YUMM YUMM!!!  Eating here, you are keenly aware that mama is in the kitchen!  It's not like eating restaurant food, it's like going to your Ethiopian girlfriend's house and being served from her mother's kitchen.  I adore the place and the prices are so good!  I love the vegetarian platter - my four picks are red lentils, tomato salad, cabbage and this other spicey red sauce she makes for me (that's what I call it when I order).  The serving is very big - I go with a friend and share it.  I think it's $8. or something.  Soooo good - OMG!  After, have some traditional spicey ethiopian tea - once again she makes this for you.  Most places bring you the "spicey" water and a tea bag on the side.  She brings it steeped (no bag in sight) and sweetened and I don't know what the secret ingredient is but there IS one because I used to have this tea all the time at another spot and it's NOT the same.  All I can say is I'm not in their family or on their payroll - this is an honest to God recommendation.  They're new and have just changed over from the TEX-MEX of the previous owners to full-on Ethiopian fare with a hookah lounge upstair so it probably won't be very busy but don't be dissuaded from trying the food.  Also, it may be jumping upstairs so maybe a little hookah after your tea???

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  Posted on 02.29.12 Mary I.

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  I went to Sunshine with some friends, anticipating high-end Tex-Mex/Ethiopian fusion. Visions of doro wat rellenos danced through my head on the drive over.
  
  We drove past the restaurant, and there was a "closed" sign in the window. However, the lights were on, so we sent a friend in to see if it were really closed. She came back with a menu in hand, reporting that Sunshine was open for business, although the waitress had not been very welcoming.
  
  Our appetites re-whetted, we entered the restaurant and sat down. The waitress came over, eventually, and crankily told us that there would be no tex mex food available - only Ethiopian. She then informed us that they had to get rid of the tex mex cusine because it was attracting the "wrong crowd" of people to the restaurant.
  
  I sat and looked at the menu of expensive, solely Ethiopian food. My hopes, by that point, were dashed to pieces on the floor. My friends and I gave up and left.
  
  I still dream of Tej margaritas, though.

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  Posted on 11.08.11 Eliza H.

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  Someone with the know how should steal this concept and open an actual restaurant, as I do not believe this place is one.  Much like the other review, my friends and I were intrigued by the idea of having Ethiopian Tex-Mex, as yes, the possibilities seem quite amazing.
  
  We arrived around 7:30 on a Monday night to a spot that appeared to be open because some lights were on, but a closed sign was in the window.  We walked in and were handed a menu with all sorts of varieties of Tex Mex foods, Ethiopian, and even Italian.  However, after sitting down at the table with a table clothe that clearly hadn't been cleaned in ages, we were told that they only served Ethiopian food because the Tex Mex was attracting a 'crowd they did not want'.  The lady looked annoyed at us and then walked off.  After a few moments of discussion we all got up and headed up to The Quarry House, which has an amazing selection of beer at prices you would drool over just a few miles south in DC.  
  
  So bottom line, avoid Sunshine...it has to be some sort of front for something else.

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  Posted on 10.25.11 Matt W.

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  My girlfriend was dying to try this place given it advertised itself as such a unique combination of cuisines.  Ethiopian and Tex-Mex...the burritos and enchilada combination could make it legendary.  We purchased a <a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Frestaurant.com&s=c5fe485af4df376130bee54f875814d79c4d7913e1258123b1206d2bdbf4873b" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://restaurant.com</a> certificate and went at 6pm on a Friday night.  
  
  We walked in to an empty restaurant.  A man playing with a child in the middle of a floor with tables pushed to all sides of the room.  Completely dead on an evening rush.  He went to find someone in back.
  
  A woman emerged, offered us some menus, and noticed our gift certificate.  
  
  "We don't take those anymore," she said.  
  
  "I purchased it online this afternoon," I protested.
  
  "Manager said no.  Also...cook not here.  Only Ethiopian food.  No Tex-Mex."
  
  We left to find an actual restaurant.

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  Posted on 06.11.11 Thenameless C.

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