B'stilla my heart: Moroccan Hospitality and Biriyani Park

[gourmaniac]

I took advantage of a day off on Monday to try these two Chowhound favorites in Malden and was a very happy hound. First stop was MH where I had the restaurant to myself. I ordered the B'stilla and Lamb tagine with prunes and was comped a delicious Moroccan fry bread (raif?) with honey while I waited. The lamb was a very good shank in a complex sauce with melt in your mouth prunes stuffed with almonds. Nice rendition of this dish. The B'stilla was transformative, by far the best I've had. Perfectly crispy and redolent of cinnamon, saffron and other spices. Wow. I was a substantial size that served 4 easily, though i was just one :-). I recall a version at Cafe Baraka that I needed to reserve 24 hours in advancem, which was microwaved to the texture of a limp paper towel. Hrrmph! After taking my leftovers, I dashed to Biriyani Park for the first time and got the goat biriyani to go. Also excellent, well spiced basmati rice with some heat (I asked for spicy), with tender flavorful goat. Three excellent and authentic dishes for the price of downtown a entree. Amazing. Finding these ethnic treasures in Malden have been wonderful gifts from Chowhound this holiday season.

[Taralli]

Absolutely love these 3 mouth-watering dishes! Can't wait to indulge again.

[treb]

She also does a seafood B'stilla, you have to let her know in advance so she can order the seafood.

[opinionatedchef]

treb, unlike many people, i have a strong dislike for cinnamon with poultry or meats, so i always avoid chicken bstillya. the seafood one you had, did it have cinnamon?

[gimlis1mum]

Hi OC - I tried the seafood b'stilla once; it did not have cinnamon. It was a while ago so I forget exactly what was in it...tiny shrimp, some squid, and something else, I think.

[opinionatedchef]

thnx mum!

[opinionatedchef]

i LOOOVE clever titles! " Chapeaux!"('hats off'), gourmaniac;you made my reading day!