362505 Sun Jan 21 17:48:20 -0800 2007 11 12 Boston Area 0 2211785 I am having a craving for some good Persian food. I used to live there many years ago, and can cook it myself, but love to go out and enjoy the real deal..I have been to Lala Rokh, which is good, and inventive. I also enjoy Helmuds for Afghani, but it is the Persian food I am looking for. Any suggestions? Sun Jan 21 17:48:20 -0800 2007 20842 mellospice 1 2211845 Jasmine and Molana are both in Watertown and I've heard some positive comments. Haven't been to either; any thoughts on which is better? Sun Jan 21 18:14:31 -0800 2007 2211785 57416 chilibaby 1 2211903 Isn't there a Moby Dick House of Kabob that opened up near Northeastern? Does that qualify as Persian? I was introduced to it by an Iranian friend, so that could be why it sticks out. Sun Jan 21 18:38:10 -0800 2007 2211785 11172 Bob Dobalina 2 2212077 Moby Dick is a Persian place. Haven't been in a while, but remember enjoying their fesenjoon (I think it was a special on Wed). Sun Jan 21 19:48:53 -0800 2007 2211903 10076 limster 1 2211981 Kolbeh of Kabob in Cambridge is pretty good. And to be honest, I can't remember any Persian food anywhere that I thought was better than that at Kolbeh of Kabob. http://www.kolbehofkabob.com Sun Jan 21 19:10:20 -0800 2007 2211785 17267 fenian 1 2212047 Pita Kabob on Province Street and Pars Cafe in Oak Square, Brighton are two bygone Persian places I liked. PK had a sign saying they were relocating nearby in Downtown Crossing, but they haven't popped up yet. Marcello's on Newbury St is half Italian and half Persian; I think the Persian is decent (avoid the Italian stuff). Moby Dick is indeed Persian, and has decent and cheap kebab sandwiches. Shiraz Cafe on Comm Ave near Packard's Corner is/was Persian; I haven't tried it, don't know if it's even open anymore. Sun Jan 21 19:40:09 -0800 2007 2211785 10143 MC Slim JB 1 2212091 Molana and Kolbeh of Kebab are nice choices; I prefer their grilled items -- kebabs etc. The rice at these two places are reasonably well made. Pita Kabob used to have excellent rice, and I've been impatiently waiting for them to reopen. Jasmine is on my list to try, I hear it's a Molana offshoot. I think the best fesenjoon I've had in the area was at Moby Dick, but it's been a long while. Sun Jan 21 19:53:32 -0800 2007 2211785 10076 limster 1 2217376 I actually would upgrade MC Slim's evaluation of Marcello's Persian food to very good to excellent. I have been several times with a Persian friend from California and she swears that it's the best AUTHENTIC Persian in Boston. I personally think Lala Rokh adds unnecessary "blue blood" Beacon Hill touches to satisfy its clientele. Tue Jan 23 08:18:57 -0800 2007 2211785 19919 bostonhyedoc 2 2217957 What an interesting combo for a rest. to have both Italian and Persian? any ideas as to how that happened? What are some of the Persian foods offered? Thanks in advance Tue Jan 23 10:48:26 -0800 2007 2217376 20842 mellospice 3 2218634 There's an Italian/Persian place in Los Angeles too. I have no idea what the connection is. Tue Jan 23 13:10:49 -0800 2007 2217957 17267 fenian 3 2218815 As for what they offer, the offerings are too numerous to name, but I found a good link with reasonably current menu items: http://www.foodler.com/MA/Boston/Italian/Marcellos/Full_Menu/1200.html The combination, as it was told to us by the Persian owner, came when they opened the place and they feared that the average New Englander would fear Persian food alone. (I think some of Lala Rokh's menu offerings reveal this same fear.) The owners then hired an Italian chef to cook Italian food while they paid distinct attention to cooking the Persian food. I echo others sentiments of ignoring the Italian menu and exploring the many great options. My personal favorites are the Adass Pollo and the Lamb Shank. Reminds me of the lamb my Armenian grandmother used to make! Tue Jan 23 13:50:09 -0800 2007 2217957 19919 bostonhyedoc 1 2218194 Molana in Watertown square is a great spot. Great food, friendly service. I have been impressed in general at the lack of non-persian diners. We are frequently the only ones. Lamb kebob was fabulous, though they would only let me have it medium Tue Jan 23 11:42:10 -0800 2007 2211785 13084 tdaaa