Best Persian From Pasadena to the Beach

[mc michael]

Looking for a possible Valentine's dinner. All suggestions appreciated.

[ronnie_gaucho]

Sharezahad

there's no doubt

(Im persian btw =D)

[epop]

there is doubt. while i had a series of good kebabs there the last time
it was substandard, served cold. people at my table were all furious.

[katkoupai]

I've only been to Shahrzad in Westwood once, and the time I went everyone really liked the food. We were a party of four. I got the ash-e-reshteh. I thought it was great, and everyone else got kabob platters. They were all happy with the food. I liked the fresh bread. The portions were large, and the prices were reasonable, too.

[epop]

it might've been a couple months back?

my understanding is that it has slipped a lot recently.

[katkoupai]

That's too bad. It has been several months since my visit, but it seemed very busy at the time, and I liked it. :)

[ronnie_gaucho]

I've been there over 100 times over the last 9 years...

NEVER had that problem :dunno:

Sorry to hear

[epop]

is there an answer E (none of the above)? i don't think a single one of these restaurants does the cuisine justice. none have anywhere near the level of quality of the better persian caterers or most homes.

[katkoupai]

Which Persian caterers have you tried in LA?

[epop]

To tell you the truth I don't know the names, as I haven't hired them. But on occasion I have had excellent food through them, but not always. On the whole it is better than the restaurants which, as i've said probably too many times, i find barely adeqaute.

You?

[katkoupai]

We used to get catering through Shamshiri, but now we get large orders from It's All Good. Many times, Persian restaurants cater the large Persian weddings and events in LA. If you don't know the name of the caterer, how do you know it's not a restaurant?

Anyway, I appreciate your reply, but I really disagree with your notion that none of the Persian restaurants in LA serve adequate or good food. Thanks for your input. :)

[epop]

i ask and they give me names of caterers, not restaurants. but b/c i didn't live here before i didn't pay attention to the names. now i do but i haven't been anywhere great.

i know you disagree but can you honestly say that the persian food in the restaurants you like come anywhere near close to the great persian chefs you know that cook at home?

the only place where i go to learn about persian cuisine is Byblos in Montreal. the rest i've been to do nothing for me, though i wish it were otherwise.

[katkoupai]

A good home-cooked meal is something special, but the people that I know that are great Persian cooks actually eat at the places that have been mentioned on this thread. I think that's where I find the disconnect. I think it's easy to say, "All the food here is bad," but it's harder to actually give a productive suggestion. If I'm ever in Montreal again, I'll try Byblos. I've never heard of it, but I know you've mentioned it a lot. In any case, I find your comments provocative, so thanks for the insight. :)

[epop]

i agree with you. very often good cooks go for such meals, as you describe.
i think they go for the kebab, basically. then go home for the
great food as they know it.

it reminds me of people that grow up on the best home made food but eat happily at fast food chains once a week nevertheless.

[katkoupai]

Yup. The kabob. Although I've read on this board that many enjoy the other dishes as well. :-)

[minnie]

If you know your kabob then Raffi's Place in Glendale is the best. Shamshiri is okay, nothing mind blowing. If you do decide to go to Shamshiri I would stick with their Khoresh (stews) versus their kabob.

[AGENT FOODIE]

i like shamshiri and javan in west la area. darya in costa mesa is pretty good. i also like seaside palace i think it is in torrance across from del amo mall

[Emme]

second shamshiri and javan, as well as the above.

sheherazad in westwood

yekta

for lebanese, i also like sunnin.

[Jet]

My favorite is Shiraz in Sherman Oaks. --JET

[Xericx]

My personal favorite is Tajirish in Marina del Rey. Its a little tight of a space though in a minimall. I also enjoy Shahrazd in Westwood.

[westsidegal]

i disagree about tajirish.
imho, the food is so-so.
i really want to like it because i love persian food and i live close to the marina.

the rice is poor.
the portions are fair.
the prices are high for what you get.
it's a bad quantity/quality/price combination

i am still driving right past the place in order to go to westwood for much better food, much larger portions, and much lower prices.

[exilekiss]

Another vote for Darya in Costa Mesa (near South Coast Plaza). It may not be "romantic," but IMHO it's beautiful and elegant inside (there's a picture of the main dining room on the front page):

http://www.daryasouthcoastplaza.com/

[FoodieKat]

I agree that Darya is a beautiful restaurant, and their grilled scallops and basmati with cherries are delicious. I've heard good things about Hatam Persian restaurant also in Mission Viejo. Think the location might be a bit too far though!

[justagthing]

I'll third Darya. They also have a small patio I noticed last time, it may be a bit more quiet and romantic than the main dining hall which can get quite noisy.

[mc michael]

Thanks for all the help.

[notmartha]

I ike Darya at Orange County (didn't specify which 'beach'). I thought they had better food than Raffi's. Neither were exactly romantic, however.

You may also want to check out the Afghani restaurant in Pasadena (Azeen's), they also have kebobs. http://www.azeensafghanirestaurant.com/

[markn]

I haven't been myself, but Darband in Tarzana has gotten really good reviews here and elsewhere. Here is one (very old) review from LA Times...

http://www.calendarlive.com/dining/73...

[katkoupai]

I would go to Shamshiri Grill on Westwood Blvd. in Westwood.

Raffi's Place in Glendale has a nice courtyard with a fountain, but it has been cold and rainy lately. The food at Raffi's is very good, but I don't think the indoor ambiance is very romantic.

Shamshiri is also not very romantic, but I like the interior better, and they have nice art on the walls. The food is very good, too. I have taken many friends there, and they all like it. Prices are also very reasonable. I don't know if they will have specials for Valentine's Day.

-----
Shamshiri Grill
1712 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Raffi's Place Restaurant
211 E Broadway, Glendale, CA 91205

[westsidegal]

i third the shamshiri recommendation.

[aventinus]

i've been to two very good ones: javan and shamshiri. i think shamshiri is really, really good and that's where i would go. it's not particularly romantic though (neither are). it's lots and lots of food!

[Fru]

So aventinus, where are they?

[mattesq]

Javan on Santa Monica near Sawtelle.

[sussan]

I think Raffi's in Glendale has one of the best Kabobs around. It is not super fancy, I think
it looks better at night than day time but food is always good.

It can get very busy on weekends. You may have to wait up to one hour for a table on the weekends. Plan on spending $50 to 60 for two people. I hope this helps.

[chowhoundwoof]

How about Reyhaan in culver city? The folks who run it are very nice and the food is delicious. While the restaurant is not super fancy, but it's relatively new and the ambience is pleasant. There are a number of positive posts about this place. For example:

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/444830

Address: 11800 Jefferson Blvd, Culver City, CA
[phone]

Best with your Valentine's day!

[westsidegal]

very limited menu there, imho