64188 Wed Nov 03 16:19:58 -0800 2004 12 2 Los Angeles Area 0 344672 At 12:15pm, there were only 3 tables seated. I went alone, and was seated at a nice table for 4 near the window (and near the $8.99 buffet). The best thing was that since it was so empty, I didn’t have to hurry or wait at the buffet. Instead, I could take my time and put the things onto my plate in the order I wanted, not the order they were arranged on the table. By the time I left, the restaurant was about 80% full. This is a great place for a quick meal, especially if you want a real meal, not fast food. The buffet is right in the middle of the room, and you just go and help yourself. Anyway, since the place was empty, I got my pick and did it just right… A nice salad of various types of lettuce, tomato and cucumber, with a sweetish-minty dressing. Rice – the kind that’s mostly white, but it has some yellow rice in there. Nicely spiced spinach in a delicious sauce What seemed like a kind of chutney… sweet and tasty Boneless chicken kabob (off the skewer) Beef kabob (also off the skewer) Creamy cucumber sauce over the meats Chopped cucumber and tomato salad A green version of what seemed like potato salad Steamed vegetables – broccoli, cauliflower, etc. There were other things on the buffet, such as a chicken and pepper and onion mixture that looked good, as well as some pink-colored rice and probably 5 or 6 other things that I didn’t choose. It was really good. The flavors tasted unique, and the food seemed fresh (duh…I was one of the first ones there). The only downside I can think of, okay there are two and they are related, is that the lavash was served cold, and that coupled with the variety of hot and cold foods on the same plate made everything cold by the time I got halfway through my meal. I suppose I could divide the hot and cold items onto different plates, but I like the intermingling of flavors. Ferdussi Taste of Persia 3605 S. Bristol Street (at MacArthur, behind Krispy Kreme) Santa Ana (714) 545-9096 Wed Nov 03 16:19:58 -0800 2004 0 lil mikey 1 344720 Ferdussi is often filled more than that by 12:15. It's in a dense business AND residential area (1 mile radius). I think the election coverage was on today until 12:30 (PST), when Kerry conceded and then Bush spoke his acceptance and gratitude. It's one of three good Persian places in Orange County. Wed Nov 03 18:38:54 -0800 2004 344672 0 kc girl 2 344736 Never had Persian, any good places in the West LA area? And what dishes are good? Wed Nov 03 19:53:24 -0800 2004 344720 0 brocklanders 3 344739 I like Shamshiri Grill near the Westwood area and Javan is supposed to be good too. I usually order kebabs at Persian restaurants called "barg" (which I think means the filet cut). There are beef and chicken bargs usually available. Also the meatball kebabs called "koobideh" are very tasty. Most dishes come with a huge mound of fragrant basmati rice with some saffron on top. Persian house salads are light and tangy with a lemon-yogurt dressing. A "shirazi" salad is almost salsa-like and made with diced cucumbers, tomato, and parsley. Mastokhiar is another tasty Persian side dish made with yogurt and cucumbers Wed Nov 03 20:02:59 -0800 2004 344736 0 Ernie 4 344774 This talk of Persian brings the thought of Afghani to mind. Are there any in the Afghani restaurants San Gabriel Valley/North Orange County area? Most Afghani food is straight Persian, but there are some peculiar and interesting dishes that are very tasty. Wed Nov 03 22:39:41 -0800 2004 344739 0 thedingomaster 5 344777 The only Afghan place I can think of in the general area would be Walter's in Claremont Walter's Restaurant 308 Yale Ave Claremont 909-624-4914 Wed Nov 03 22:50:40 -0800 2004 344774 0 Ernie 6 344787 I've heard of that one. Have you been there? To be quite frank, the name kind of puts me off. Dunno if I'd try it out without a recommendation. Wed Nov 03 23:52:52 -0800 2004 344777 0 thedingomaster 7 344886 I have not been there, but do remember reading favorable reviews on this board. Try the search function on the main page Thu Nov 04 15:30:19 -0800 2004 344787 0 Ernie 7 344887 I have not been there, but do remember reading favorable reviews on this board. Try the search function on the main page Thu Nov 04 15:30:19 -0800 2004 344787 0 Ernie 5 344842 There's a new-ish Afghan restaurant in Pasadena - I haven't been yet. I've put a link below to a website with their menu. I think there may have been posts about it, but can't find any through the search mechanisms. Azeen's Afghani Restaurant 626-683-3310 110 E. Union St. Pasadena CA 91103 Link: http://www.pasadena.com/AdView.asp?ad_id=335 Thu Nov 04 13:31:43 -0800 2004 344774 0 ks 2 344770 Okay, I'll bite. What/where are the other two? Wed Nov 03 22:15:33 -0800 2004 344720 0 jennyantepenultimate 3 344773 I'd be surprised if Darya on Tustin Ave. wasn't one of them. Wed Nov 03 22:36:58 -0800 2004 344770 0 thedingomaster 4 344824 the other must be Caspian in Irvine Thu Nov 04 12:28:53 -0800 2004 344773 0 MzMaggie