The Current State of Persian food in Vancouver? Who's on top?

[fmed]

Hi All....

We are setting up a Chowdown in June and are thinking Persian. I don't eat a lot of Persian food these days so I'm a bit behind times. What are the current top picks? What is your favourite?

There hasn't been a lot of discussion here on Persian/Iranian food...here is a thread that pits Kashcool against Shalizar. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/680379?tag=search_results;results_list

How about Darchin? Has anyone been?
http://www.darchinrestaurant.com/Home...

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Kashcool Restaurant
222 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P2R5, CA

Shalizar Restaurant
1863 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V1J7, CA

[lunchslut]

Went to Darchin when it first opened. It was solid but not outstanding. They did have a good balance of stews and kebabs on the menu.

The fact that we don't have a decent Persian restaurant (good balance of atmosphere and consistent food) has been the bane of my existence since I have been in my teens. Part of the problem is that Persians don't go out to Persian restaurants for anything but kebabs and the stews are usually something that are only ordered by non-Persians. Stews are considered home food. (I think it stems from concerns about food hygiene in the old country.) Hence, a restaurant is usually judged by its kebabs and not the stews but is is the stews which are more exotic and appealing to non-Persians.

I would go to Kashcool for Kebabs and "funky" atmosphere and Shalizar for the stews.

[LotusRapper]

I dunno, I'm sure could eat kebabs all day .......... :-)

[fmed]

I was friends with some Persians many years ago and they had told me that much of the cuisine is homecooked. (And indeed I had some amazing homecooked meals and wedding spreads). So what you just posted confirms that.

> "Went to Darchin when it first opened. It was solid but not outstanding. They did have a good balance of stews and kebabs on the menu."

If we would like to experience a balanced survey of Persian cuisine - do you think that Darchin would be the place to go then? Or would you still recommend Kashcool or Shalizar instead?

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Kashcool Restaurant
222 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P2R5, CA

Shalizar Restaurant
1863 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V1J7, CA

[vandan]

there is a small place on pendrell @ davie called darya, never been though , anyone tried it?

[betterthanbourdain]

the food is good. the rice is solid. the food is home cooked by a persian lady.
better 'persian' food than other take outs in town. it is never busy. which is concerning. imho, the service at most persian restaurant is indifferent generally as is the case here.

[grayelf]

I noticed another little place on Davie today I think called Persian Cafe (I was driving in crazy traffic). Looked very lowkey and likely not the ticket for a Chowdown but funny how I'd never noticed it before reading this thread.

[lunchslut]

Honestly, having not tasted a good cross section of the menus of all three restaurants - significantly the stews - I would have a hard time saying which is best overall representative of this type of food. Each have their own advantages and drawbacks. Kashcool and Shalizar are frequented by Persian people and are more popular being on the North Shore and smack dab in the middle of the Persian community. They will give you a better feel for an "authentic" experience - whatever that means.

If you are just sampling on your own (vs. planning a sit-down dinner for a group) I would also suggest the hot food counter at Yas Bazaar. They offer most of the classics at a reasonable price and have a high enough turnover that you know the stews are not microwaved to order.

The truly best way to sample Persian food? Befriend a Persian and ask them about Persian food. They will likely invite you to their home for dinner in order to save face for the community and avoid the collective embarassment of having a "faranghi" (foreigner) experience poor quality Persian food . I would have offered by now but my mother, the fabulous cook, is out of town.

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Kashcool Restaurant
222 Pemberton Ave, North Vancouver, BC V7P2R5, CA

Shalizar Restaurant
1863 Marine Dr, West Vancouver, BC V7V1J7, CA

[LotusRapper]

Doh !! A ferengi is a Star Trek ET race !!!

[bdachow]

Oh my...this is going to be a tough decision...

[LotusRapper]

What about Kash Cool in N. Van ?

[fmed]

That's my personal front runner currently and it seems to be a common favourite. I have been there...a while ago now.

[Born.Mine.Die]

Falafully Good Restaurant‎...http://www.falafullygood.com/ is my favorite. Amazing value and tastes so home made. Love the hummus and amazing Chicken Tajin

[LotusRapper]

Falafully Good is a good little casual neighborhood eatery, and I've been eating there since they opened. But I would not say they are a full-fledged restaurant per se.

[fmed]

Were looking for a full-service restaurant with a more extensive menu (one that features some Persian classics). Falafully Good is more of a pan-Middle Easter/Mediterranean restaurant - not really Persian.