Sharezad:

Ben and I found ourselves in Westwood for lunch the other day after a quick trip to the Eames House. After learning about Tehrangeles and eating at Raffi’s I was craving some more Persian food. Shaherzad popped up with 4 stars on Yelp. Ben was game because he had never been to a Persian restaurant. The place was packed during lunch time. We didn’t have to wait for a table but I would guess there might have only been one empty table the whole time we were eating. Almost every table had a pitcher or glass of the thick yogurt drink, Dugh. I can’t drink a glass of milk so there was no way I am going to try a sour, thicker glass of white liquid. Ben was intrigued but not enough to order one. We did order the yogurt and shallot dip. That I can handle.

I love going to ethnic restaurants and being able to order off the special lunch menu because of the bang for your buck and you get try more than one thing. Have you noticed that most “American” restaurants don’t offer a lunch special. That has always bothered me.

Ben ordered the Baghali Polo, which was a lamb shank and rice with dill and lima beans. Ben said when he made a bite with lamb shank, rice, and yogurt his dish was great. He prepared me a bite and I agreed.

I ordered the lamb Tahchin, which consisted of rice mixed with yogurt and saffron with a layer of lamb. The tahchin is topped with barberries and served with a side salad. It’s like Persian lasagna, but maybe lasagna is more like Italian tahchin. I don’t know who invented the dish first. Regardless, I would order this over lasagna any day. The top was like deep fried rice that gave way to a creamy saffron flavored rice. The lamb was succulent and moist. The barberries on top were a little too sweet for my taste so I scraped them onto the side of my plate. The dish is so heavy that you only need about a third of the portion they served at Shaherzad. It is a must try and must split.

I didn’t have the kabab at Shaherzad so I can’t really compare the place to Raffi’s. Shaherzad is a must try in my book if you are curious about Persian food and think it’s only kababs and rice. The yogurt shallot dip was terrible compared to Raffi’s. It lacked the intense kick, but I also didn’t taste my food for twelve hours after my meal. To sum up the meal at Shaherzad, it was the perfect weekday lunch adventure. Be prepared to take a post meal nap if you finish all the tahchin.

Raffi’s:

Los Angeles is home to over half a million Persians. This community is often referred to as Tehrangeles. Since moving here the only Persian food I have had was takeout at a warehouse downtown when Dave and I were picking up our televisions. I have been waiting to try some good stuff and the other night at Raffi’s Place in Glendale I got a chance.

Raffi’s has a reputation on the Internet for being one of if not the best Persian restaurants in Los Angeles. Not knowing much about Persian food I brought an expert with me. Dave has eaten in the finest Persian restaurants in this country.  

This photo of “greens”, radish, sliced white onion, tarragon, cilantro, mint, and quartered white onion on a plate is the only picture that turned out. They place this and basket of lavash on every table at the start of the meal. Dave ordered a side of cheese that I am pretty sure was feta.  He instructed me to wrap all the ingredients and dip it in the side yogurt and moussir (Shallots) we ordered. After each bite he said to take a bite out of the white onion. Imagine how good your breath smells after this meal, it was worth it though.

We both got kabob plates (Filet Mignon and Koobideh) which come with a mountain of basamati rice, grilled anaheim pepper, and a grilled tomato. Dave said the quality of the meat was not very good. He spent most of the meal telling me about Rumi, a Persian restaurant in Marin. Dave said it is the best and I needed to go there so I can eat good Persian food.

Even though Dave disliked the meal and the next day told me that Raffi’s was bad I liked it. All the tables are in an outdoor patio and with the room full of Persians on a perfect summer night I felt like I was on vacation. I look forwad to eating at Rumi and searching with Dave for the best Persian restaurant in Tehrangeles because Raffi’s is not it.