The best Iranian food I've had (bar none) and probably the most delicious meal I've had this year thus far! Raffi's Place was my most anticipated restaurant on my SoCal trip. The soltani kabob was to die for; the flavors in the beef barg and koobideh were so rich and cooked to perfection. The mastery of these dishes was absolutely on display. The mast moosir was a great creamy and savory side dish to complement the entrees. I HAD to get the tahdig (crispy rice) too! I also had a bit of the lamb shank which was really flavorful, tender, and paired perfectly with the baghali polo. The yogurt soda was a bit of an acquired taste for me, but I'm happy to have tried it for the full experience. We finished off our delicious meal with a floral and sweet Persian ice cream wafer sandwich. The portions were enormous, so we left feeling full with leftovers to look forward to! We came on a lively weekday evening. They don't do reservations, but we were warmly greeted and quickly seated with lavash and butter on our table immediately. The restaurant has a beautiful and romantic atmosphere, with hybrid indoor/outdoor courtyard dining. Our waiter was attentive and made us feel very welcomed. I'd give this restaurant more than 5 stars if I could! read more

Raffi's Place - Persian rosewater ice cream sandwich - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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Food: it was good as always. Huge portions Service was good ... a couple times we had to repeat our request but the 2nd time it was immediately there Ambiance: busy and loud ... read more

Found this spot on LAs top places to eat list and was so glad that it was across the street from my friend's house that I was staying at. He had never been, even though he lives literally right across the street so we had to check it out. Luckily there was no wait, which I hear is rare for this spot. I got the barg kabob and it was so good. So much flavor, probably the best kabob I've ever had. You gotta get the khiar yogurt, it was one of my favorite things and so refreshing. I haven't really had Persian food before so I don't have too much to compare it to, but you can just tell that it's authentic. read more

Raffi's is one of the best restaurants!! The quality of food is unmatched! We love their soltani kabob entree. We get a couple of them and make it family style and share all from huge portions! We get it with baghali pilaf and it's delicious! Sometimes there is a wait for the food but that's because it's always busy here! read more

Raffi's Place - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

Updating my previous 5 star review. What happened to this place? First the housekeeping went downhill and it lost its once romantic appeal. Now the food seems to be of lesser quality. What a shame. read more

Got seated right away for a party of 2 on a Sunday evening, which we were pleasantly surprised with. We ordered a Shish Kebab plate and a chicken Soltani along with an eggplant dip. The eggplant dip was tasty and the complementary pita paired very well with it. However, we waived over 45 min for our food. We ended up eating the eggplant dip in its entirety before the food came and were table to try them together, which I think would've been really good. When the plates did arrive, portions were abundant and good for the price (approx. $32 per plate). The shish kebab was super soft and tasty and the rice was well cooked and flavorful. Unfortunately, the chicken was very under seasoned and totally dry. Very disappointing. Ambiance is nice and service is good, but I did leave quite underwhelmed read more

Raffi's Place - Chicken Soltani - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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This is a very popular spot for Middle Eastern cuisine. Parking can be a bit tricky--there is a lot behind the building, but the entrance is easy to miss if you're not paying attention. There is also additional parking available in a nearby plaza, and the walk to the restaurant is less than three minutes, which makes it a convenient backup option. I visited after work with some coworkers and our boss, and the meal was excellent. The portions were generous and very filling--I couldn't even finish my entrée after sharing appetizers with the table. I tried the lentil soup, which was flavorful and fresh, and the salmon plate was outstanding. The salmon had a nice char on the outside, almost like a steak, yet it was still perfectly moist inside--honestly impressive. We were seated on the patio, which has a large tree in the center and an awning covering the space. It created a really nice atmosphere. There were a few bees flying around near the opening for the tree, which didn't bother me, but it's something to keep in mind if you're allergic. Overall, I would definitely come back and highly recommend this place--especially if you're feeding a group of six or more or planning a corporate event. They have plenty of indoor seating that can easily accommodate larger parties. The bar setup was a bit interesting, as it's located off to the side, but aside from that, I have no complaints about the service, ambiance, or the food. read more

I've heard so much good things about Raffi's place and barely had the chance to go and check it out. Came for lunch with my sister. It was a rainy weekday. Being our first time visit we made the noob error by walking in from the Broadway entrance. The front desk is located in the rear coming from the alley. With that said we had a short tour of the establishment. The place is huge. Initially you'll walk into the outdoor area which is covered, if that isn't your thing there is a full indoor area as well. That day in particular was rainy so the covered outdoor area wasn't going to do it for us. Looking over the menu you find very familiar Mediterranean dishes. We were very curious about their Persian stews since we've never had it before. We ordered Chicken kabob, Koobideh, and Fesenjān. All orders came with their own rice and a side dish of toppings to add to your entree. The chicken was dry, I enjoyed the koobideh, but the real star of the lunch meal was the Persian stew. It was soooo goood. The place is pretty pricey, but the venue speaks for itself. I do highly recommend stopping by for lunch sometime or have a party and celebrate something with the people you love. Parking: paid structure parking, valet VERDICT: Rinse and repeat read more

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We came on a Friday around 5:30 PM, and luckily it wasn't too crowded. We parked at a parking garage that was a 4 min walk from the restaurant, though I believe they also offer valet service. The restaurant has indoor seating with a unique open-roof section in the middle, which gives it a nice atmosphere. We ordered the koobideh and the shish kabob with albaloo polo. The food came out quickly, and the service was friendly and attentive. Both dishes were cooked perfectly and had amazing flavor. The portions were generous, which made the prices feel very reasonable. We'll definitely be coming back! read more

Raffi's Place - Shish Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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The best place for middle eastern food. It's always delicious. The service is fast and friendly. Great for small or large groups because they have lots of tables. Park in a nearby structure or they have valet. read more

Raffi's Place - Chicken boneless kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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Went to Raffi's Place on a Friday night and had an amazing experience. It wasn't crowded at all--busy, but with plenty of tables available, and we were seated immediately with no wait. The staff was incredibly kind and even offered to store my luggage so I didn't have to carry it around, which was such a thoughtful touch. We started with the eggplant dip--smooth, flavorful, and delicious. The flatbread came out wrapped in a red cloth; it was thin, light, and paired perfectly with the dip. I ordered the shish kebabs, and the meat was extremely tender. The rice was fluffy, and everything came together beautifully. The restaurant itself is spacious and comfortable, yet still feels elegant and inviting. Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and will definitely be back to try the rack of lamb. Highly recommend. read more

Raffi's Place - Shish kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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Yup yup yup, this place is legittttttttt We got way too much and enjoyed it all. Fesenjoon, tahdig, and gorme sabzi, soltani kebab I think, and gheymeh read more

Raffi's Place - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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We came for lunch to celebrate a birthday on New Year's Eve. They don't take reservations, so we arrived before their opening at 11:30 am. Although the restaurant was open early, we still had to stand in line as names were not taken until 11:30 sharp. When we arrived, we could smell the food being prepared. There was a separate line for pick up orders, and we saw customers walking out with large bags of food. When our party finally got seated, we were approached by a friendly waiter. He didn't rush us and was helpful throughout our meal. Some of us ordered family style. I got to enjoy different proteins such as chicken, beef, and lamb. All were delicious. I enjoyed the bread with hummus too. I don't think they charged for bread, but hummus was extra. Parking in the public lot a couple blocks away offered free 90 minutes, and a small $2.00 fee for each additional hour. I'm glad this restaurant was selected for the birthday celebration. They did charge $10 cake fee since we had our own birthday cake. I'll be back again! read more

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We just paid another visit to my favorite Persian restaurant, Raffi's Place. My previous review down below covers all the details, this one being an update. Food 5 stars: This time around we ordered the Shirazi Salad (diced tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions and mint with their special dressing) the Chicken Koobideh Kabob (a.k.a Chicken Luleh kabob; ground chicken with spices) and the Beef Koobideh Kabob (a.k.a Beef Luleh Kabob; ground beef with spices), both with Albaloo Polo (Black Cherry Basmati Rice). Both were excellent. Juicy and cooked to perfection. The rice was fluffy and delicious, with just the right hint of sweetness/tartness. Drinks 5 stars: We had the sparkling yogurt drinks that may be an acquired taste and not for the faint-hearted, but it goes very well with their food. Service 4 stars: The service was also great. Our server was polite, efficient and attentive. The Bottom Line 5 stars: Raffi's Place is still the GOAT. The BEST Persian food in LA, bar none. A must visit for locals and tourists! Highly recommended! read more

Raffi's Place - Beef Koobideh with Cherry Rice - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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This is the best Persian restaurant I have been to. All the skewers were delicious! Everything tasted fresh and the meat was of good quality and not over cooked. The rice was fluffy and the eggplant appetizer is a must. Really unique flavor. The customer service was great! We ha d large party and they severs were well organized and very welcoming. The restaurant itself is nice not too loud and very clean. Pro tip park across the street or use the valet parking for $15. read more

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I'd been excited to finally try Raffi's Place, as it's a famed LA restaurant, but unfortunately it didn't live up to expectations. We arrived on a Sunday around 12 pm. We took a few minutes to find street parking, which was a short walk from the restaurant. The restaurant was already busy, with many tables full. We were seated immediately and a waiter came over and brought us waters and menus. The ambiance here feels very traditional. I wasn't sure if they had any indoor seating as we were seated outside and didn't see an indoor seating area. The outdoor seating area is in a covered courtyard with open air. All the tables were covered with white tablecloths which gave the ambiance a traditional feel. We ordered eggplant dip to share between us. We thought it would be like a baba ghanouj, but the consistency was very chunky, and not really creamy. We both got kebabs with rice for our mains. Unfortunately neither of us really enjoyed these. The meat was tender, but my husband's chicken kebab was dry. It came with cherry rice, which was unique, as we'd never tried it before. My koobideh (lean ground beef) was much better than the chicken. It was tender and juicy. I didn't think it was amazing though, and overall our food was lackluster. read more

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Last time I came to Raffi's was a few years ago and the food was not good. Not what happened but this time I went food was just amazing. DeliciousX Service was quick. Everything was top notch. I'm so happy I came back. It is my old-time favorites kebab restaurant. Full house on a Wednesday night, That's great for them. Pretty chilly but heater is all around. Highly recommended if you're in the area! read more

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My fiancé & I set a goal that for 2026, we're going to be a bit more adventurous. We're big foodies but how can we claim that title when all we eat is Japanese, Korean and a little bit of Filipino/Vietnamese food here and there?? So here we are. Trying something new... and wow! Glad we finally got to try this place after seeing it on Vloggers Vic & Jeff's videos. We got their soltani kabob (filet mignon & ground beef combo), as well as ikra and mast-o-khiar. Eggplant is actually a vegetable that I really like but don't eat often, and I could not stop eating the eggplant dip with the bread they provide. The portion size for this plate is MASSIVE. At first I was a bit skeptical about spending $80+ for lunch but I'm so glad we only got one plate because we had enough left overs for the both of us for dinner too. Lamb is actually one of my favorite meat so I'm really looking forward to going back and trying their lamb kabob and shank, as well as the rice crust with stew. Service was attentive and quick, both our server and busser were nice. We did get sat in a bit of an awkward spot for today's windy weather but once we got the other heater turned on, it was much more comfortable. They were busy for lunch too compared to the surrounding competitors and they definitely live up to the hype. Will definitely be making a trip back soon! read more

Raffi's Place - Soltani Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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There's no place Raffi's Place, hands down the best Persian restaurant kebabs, authentic food, stews, appetizers, soups and more. There are other places that try but can't beat Raffi's amazing food, portions are always the Armenian way BIG they want to make sure you're full. Talk about service 5 Star service . Thank you Santiago, Susie, Gohar and the most dedicated staff ever. This was our mom's favorite place to eat and today was her 40th day of passing and in her memory we wanted to dine at her favorite place. Thank you Raffi's place everything was amazing read more

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Food is absolutely amazing. Prices are very reasonable and portions are huge! Parking is a bit hard but overall will come back again!

Just a lovely way to spend lunch on a weekend. You sit semi-outdoors! The portions are enormous. Definitely share with another. The sour cherry rice is tangy; it makes a ton of sense with the grilled meats. Obviously also order the tadig. The service is attentive. read more

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Still amazing food. Have been eating here for 12+ yrs. They get very busy on weekend.

Where to start ? I'd heard so much about this place over the years. Raffis raffis best kabob spot ever blah blah, fancy, fine dining, etc. Finally tried it on Saturday night for a birthday dinner. Casual spot with patio dining as well as inside. To make it simple I was not surprised at all. First of all the wait to be seated is crazy. About two hours for a party of ten. Makes you think the food and experience will be amazing, table show, live music, great service, nah man it's just a regular kabob spot with regular kabob items on the menu that looks fancy inside out. Service was okay, servers just take your drink and food orders and prob come by your table just once or twice throughout the whole night, it's all the other support staff who do all the work cleaning your table, getting you refills and water.(hope they get tipped handsomely) We ordered some chicken, filet mignon, salmon, and lamb kabobs. We got em like family style all the rice in one or two plates. Chicken was fair, salmon was just grilled salmon, the filet was delicious tho. Tender, soft, juicy and tasty. I don't know how people can eat lamb tho the meat tastes horrible even more so at this place. Dill rice was good tho. Something new. Drinks were less than average. Lemon drop was more like lemonade, the pomegranate martini was fairly better. Cosmo wasn't even a cosmo, don't know what that was. Our birthday dessert came with a 4 inch long white hair there's that too. We didn't complain about it tho. I should have definitely taken a picture of it,oh well. Over all definitely not worth it. Service 3 stars. Food 2 stars. Experience 2 stars. Staff friendliness 5 stars. read more

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First time here with family! 10 person ordered family style dishes, beef and chicken Soltani, Hummus with green salad! Raffi's Place is a well-known Mediterranean restaurant with a spacious dining room, yet it's still incredibly busy--especially during the holiday season. Even with the crowd, a one-hour wait felt very reasonable given how popular the place is. Once seated, the experience was worth it. The service moved efficiently, and every dish we ordered came out beautifully prepared and full of flavor. Everything tasted fresh, well-seasoned, and consistently delicious. It's easy to see why Raffi's Place continues to draw such a large crowd--great food, generous portions, and a lively atmosphere make it a go-to spot for Mediterranean cuisine. read more

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Raffi's is known for its food. This was my second time here and I was not disappointed however, the weight was a little unnerving luckily, we were able to walk around near my miles. They charge $14 for parking that you can easily also park one or two blocks away at public parking lot. The could be there and the chicken thighs were excellent as well as the appetizers and specifically the Tadig. the service was relatively fast, and they were communicating that the kebabs will take a little longer due to the backlog of orders. Hostess was friendly read more

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I don't think I've ever wished for a larger stomach capacity than after my dinner here--so comforting and hit the spot! The beef and chicken koobideh were delicious! I wish they offered a combo plate of the two, but my friend and I ordered each and swapped a kabob, call it a win-win situation. I'd recommend swapping the plain rice a Persian rice for a unique flavor! We also ordered the shirazi salad, which was really fresh and complimented the meal. It's clear that Raffi's knows what they're doing, because everything was a hit. Came here for an early dinner, and there was plenty of searing available. Parking was easy enough at the garage next door, and it's a short walk to the Americana. Overall, fantastic restaurant! read more

Raffi's Place - Koobideh - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

If you want truly authentic Persian food, this is the place to go!! My bf is Persian and he approves, even Justin Bieber and Kendall Jenner were spotted here recently. I love coming here with my family. The portions are super generous and the food is delicious. For starters, we always get the Kashk O'Bademjan and it is scrumptious. The eggplant fried and mixed super well in this dip. The Tadig with both Ghormeh Sabzi and Gheimeh were also really good. I love the herbs used in the Ghormeh Sabzi. The Gheimeh was okay to me and my bf. For entrees, we got chicken kabob, which was super juicy and flavorful. I always fear dry chicken kabob, but you won't get that here. For our second order of kabobs, we got the Soltani kabob which comes with Barg and Koobideh. The koobideh had the perfect texture without being overly fatty. It was enjoyable! The Barg was perfectly thin and juicy. For our last dish, we got the lamb shank. I'm honestly not a big lamb eater due to the gaminess but this was not gamey at all! I was pleasantly surprised, and ate more lamb than I usually would. All in all, the dishes were cooked to perfection. This is a must stop for me every time I'm down in SoCal!! read more

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Everything here is fresh and feels very authentic. The ambience is like no other. You feel like you are in the Middle East - it's awesome. The venue is large but it was also at capacity when we went on a Saturday evening on New Years. The Persian ice cream has a very unique taste which I like. read more

Raffi's Place - Lamb chops - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

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Food was delicious as per usual, Jesse is a great waiter, wait was about 25 mins, which on a Saturday night isn't that long! Location is always clean & tidy, even on a busy Saturday night. The chicken stew with rice is always divine, everyone at the table loved their meal! If you're trying out for the first time, the parking structure is easily accessible thru the side street at $2 or $9 if more than 90mins & valet is directly behind the restaurant. read more

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Wow, went for office party... a ton of great food.. every dish had layers of incredible flavor.. Service was top notch .. fast efficient glasses always topped off.. Bathroom were clean... A++. read more

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Crowded and for a reason! The salmon actually melts in your mouth and the portion size could carry you for a few days! Everything looked wonderful and this is definitely a place to check out in Glendale. read more

Raffi's Place - Salmon Kabob - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

If you order the right dishes, the food here is genuinely great. Valet is $12 (pretty sure it's cash only). You can sometimes join the Yelp waitlist online; if not, try calling. Wait times can be up to an hour depending on when you go or sometimes you can basically walk right in. What I recommend: * Appetizer: Tadiq and Mast o' musir * Side of Greek Salad * Kabab Koobideh (honestly one of the best I've had) I'd skip the filet mignon/bag--it was a bit rough and dry for me. I also love that they bring complimentary chopped onions with parsley as soon as you sit down. And the roasted jalapeño they bring with you dishes it actually spicy and delicious. Service is fast but rushed since it's always busy. I've seen people celebrate birthdays here, but I personally wouldn't pick it for a special occasion. It is a great spot when you're hungry and want big portions. read more

Raffi's Place - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

Oh, this place is truly one of the best restaurants I've ever known in LA. Every time I'm in the area, I make sure to come here because the food is consistently amazing. I've tried the flaming shish kebab, chicken kebab, and the stews -- all absolutely delicious. Their appetizers are incredible as well, especially the kashk-e-bademjan, hummus, mast o musir, and the crispy rice with different stews. Everything is so flavorful and fresh. I've also been here for lunch, and the portions are very generous -- honestly, one order can easily be shared by two people. The staff is always wonderful, and they always seem to have a full, attentive team including servers and assistants who make the experience even better. Overall, this is one of the best restaurants I can recommend to anyone. The food is amazing, the service is great, and the ambience is beautiful with fresh greenery and a relaxing vibe. Highly recommended! read more

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Came here alone around 2:30pm for lunch on a Thursday. Seated immediately and service was warm and quick like a well oiled machine. Someone seat you down, almost immediately they bring the bread butter and veges to you, then server come by to serve you and take your order. Ordered their lubia polo which has meat mixed with rice and a beef kebab. Big plate and huge portion, tasted great. read more

Raffi's Place - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

Very pleasant and calm restaurant environment with friendly staff ready to serve customers with excellent and delicious Persian food without having to wait too long for it. I recommend you to visit Raffi restaurant and experience the delicious Persian food yourself. My husband , My Daughter and I enjoyed it very much and were beyond satisfied with all the service. Our waitress with his team were excellent Mr. Henry Martinez and Mr.Anthony are the best server and they took amazing care of us. I hope you have a chance to try beef kabob and chicken with bone ( Joojeh Kabob) with saffron rice , so yummy. Enjoy it. read more

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Got recommended this place and so surprised I had never heard of it before because I love finding new Mediterranean restaurants! This place absolutely blew my mind! The concept of it technically being all outdoors is so cool (except when it rains expect longer wait because they have less tables available) and while the prices aren't the cheapest, I assure you all the food makes it very well worth it! I got the beef koobideh and lamb which were extra juicy! I preferred the beef because it was a lot easier to eat but both were delish! The tadig (crunchy rice), along with the pomegranate and lemon drop martinis were amazing complements to the meal as well! All staff was very nice and timely and I would definitely love to come back here soon! read more

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I went to Raffi's Place in Glendale for a casual lunch with a few friends, and the experience was honestly a mixed bag. The place was packed, and we waited almost 30 minutes to be seated. The waiting area in the back only had a few benches, which made things tough, especially since one of my friends is pregnant and there wasn't really anywhere for her to sit. Once we got inside, the space felt a bit like a covered warehouse. My friends loved their meals and said the entrées were amazing, but we tried a few appetizers that were honestly pretty bad. The service itself was good, but overall I felt the place was overpriced for what we ended up getting. Would I go back? Probably not. read more

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Can't go wrong with the food and atmosphere. I recommend the soltani to get more variety. This is classic fare that reminds me of my childhood. Service is great and restaurant is huge. read more

I've been wanting to try this place for so long and it did not disappoint. Honestly prob the best Persian food I've ever had. Beef barg was so good and the portions are hugeeee. I couldn't finish my meal and had a ton of rice left but it was seriously so good! And the fact that the portions are so huge is a plus because can take left overs home. They were very generous with the bread which was love for a Persian restaurant! Feta cheese + bread is a must order. The meats particularly were all amazing and I liked the vibe of the restaurant too it was very lively and bigger than I expected with a cute little courtyard outside. Service was really good too everyone was so nice and made sure we were taken care of. read more

Raffi's Place - Beef barg - Middle Eastern Near Me - Glendale, California

This is our first time here, and it was a blessing that our friend, Behzad, took us here for dinner. He knew what to order. It was just the 3 of us, my hubby, B and I. We had a family style dinner that was absolutely delicious. I learned to wrap the lavash with the onions, parsley and Mast-o-khiar (this yogurt topping/dip is quite amazing!) along with the stew and eggplant dish covering the crusted rice. Our main dishes were the Beef Soltani and Chicken Kebab, along the the grilled tomatoes and peppers, and basmati rices. There was so much food, I believe this meal could have fed comfortably 6 people. We thoroughly enjoyed our experience here, and for SURE will be returning! read more

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