Ethiopian eatery opens

HYDE SQ.—The Blue Nile Ethiopian restaurant has returned to Jamaica Plain, opening quietly in a new spot at 389 Centre St.

Blue Nile closed its original S. Huntington Avenue location in 2006 after 15 years. Now it’s back with more vegetarian options and take-out and delivery as well, owner Ellena Haile told the Gazette.

“I didn’t want to go outside of JP. I’m a JP resident,” Haile said.

Haile also plans to serve “tej,” Ethiopia’s traditional honey wine, in coming weeks. She said she is working with JP’s Century 21 Foods to craft the wine locally.

“It’s amazing. Everything is right here in JP,” Haile said.

Haile is from Ethiopia, and her mother’s family comes from the Blue Nile River area for which the restaurant is named.

Blue Nile opened in late September in the spot formerly occupied by the Velouria coffee shop. Haile originally looked at a new commercial space in the former Blessed Sacrament Church site, but said she found it too expensive to keep her food affordable.

Blue Nile is open for lunch and dinner. For information, call 617-522-6453.

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