RECOMMENDED
I lunched at Choopan Grill on Saturday, 2/6/16. It is a small, suitably lit, nicely decorated and family-owned Afghani restaurant.Upon arrival do not park in the adjacent parking lot or you will be towed.There is a large municipal lot across the street which should have many spaces available. Park there instead.
Upon arrival, I was greeted,seated promptly and supplied with a pitcher of water. The restaurant was empty as it had just opened at 11;30 p.m., too early for many to lunch but not me since I skipped breakfast in anticipation of this meal. After a cursory glance at the menu, I ordered quickly : the Qabuli Palow ($13.00--Lamb Shank buried under Afghani Brown Rice with Carrots and Raisins) based on praise for this dish by other Yelpers.
While I was waiting a very short time for my order, the personable owner and I made small talk. He had his son take a photo of the two of us in front of two of the restaurant's nice plaques.The photo will never see the light of day since I'm unshaven and a little too casually dressed.
My salad arrived quickly. It had fresh lettuce and cucumbers and was the perfect size for the massive entree which appeared shortly thereafter.While some commented upon the saltiness of the white sauce dressing, it was in my wheelhouse and I enjoyed both the salad and the dressing.
My entree was humongous.The amply sized lamb shank was completely buried and hidden beneath a massive mound of Afghani Brown Rice(Basmati......not the leaden tasteless fiber-rich stuff that the health nuts insist upon).Both the lamb and the rice were very moist. The shank was very mildly-spiced but delicious. The lamb meat was perfectly cooked to a falling off the bone consistency.Since I have only eaten Afghan food sporadically, except for the many luscious brownies I consumed in college, I cannot say whether mild spicing is characteristic of the chef or Afghani cuisine in general but the spice level did not detract from how much I enjoyed my entree. I had mango juice ($2.00) to wash down the lamb and rice. The juice was nice and refreshing.
After I finished my meal, the owner, in an allusion to the authenticity of the restaurant's food, said that he saved me the expense of a ticket to Afghanistan. Since I did not observe any Taliban while I was at Choopan Grill, I'd say he was right.
A note to social drinkers and buzz seekers: Choopan Grill neither serves alcohol or permits BYOB. No concern to me because the great meal I had on 2/6 is reason enough to return to this restaurant.
Based upon my delicious lunch, I intend to host a dinner for my dining meetup here within the next few months. read more