341150 Thu Nov 09 01:53:46 -0800 2006 5 12 Boston Area 0 2007554 I was watching the phantom gourmet and they featured this afgahn restaurant but I completley forget the name, did anyone see this too? It looked really good and I really want to go Thu Nov 09 01:53:46 -0800 2006 49000 Caserta44 1 2007584 the helmand w/the awesome yogurt and pumpkin appetizer, right? Thu Nov 09 02:07:44 -0800 2006 2007554 24546 bitsubeats 1 2007596 HELMAND, 143 1st street, near the CambridgeSide Galleria may be the one you saw. It's the best. ZAGAT rates it high, Thu Nov 09 02:13:32 -0800 2006 2007554 50596 lorpa 2 2007611 Was there just last night. The baby pumpkin appetizer makes me weep with joy. Also had the leek ravioli with yogurt sauce. Husband had the rack of lamb -- fork tender. I had the pan fried trout special. Very good, served with pallow that was dotted with walnuts and figs. Enjoy! But make a reservation. Even on a Tuesday night they were packed. Thu Nov 09 02:22:14 -0800 2006 2007596 11126 Trixie Too 1 2007714 trixie, nice post. think you meant pillau- a rice dish,right? what do you think of luther's Helmand post and feelings that service is not great and all food kind of similar? Thu Nov 09 03:15:34 -0800 2006 2007554 10110 opinionatedchef 2 2008235 Yes, it's rice - the Helmand has two standard rice side dishes, pallow (yes, that's how they write it!) and challow. A pillau/pilaf/plov by any other name is still delicious... Helmand is one of my favorite "special" dinner places - I'll grant that the service is kind of brusque, but I firmly disagree that "all food kind of similar." Of course, it's hard for me to be sure because I have a great deal of trouble choosing anything else from the menu besides the wonderful grilled lamb kebab dish - don't recall the name right now. Thu Nov 09 14:00:48 -0800 2006 2007714 18512 Allstonian