A FAN OF AFGHAN

Saying he wanted to taste the local food our troops may be eating, Jeremy and I ventured to New York's "Little Afghanistan," located in  Flushing.  In tow with us was Jeremy's buddy and guest blogger, Max.

A little restaurant winning rave reviews is Kabul Kebab House on Main Street.   We had hoped there would be low tables and rugs but this place was spartan and spotless.  The only nod to Afghanistan were little squares of rug under glass tabletops and several arched doorways.  The focus of the restaurant is its glassed in kebab kitchen which is on view from the street.  Given Afghanistan's geographic location, I thought the food would be similar to Indian cuisine.  But, what we ate, was closer to Middle Eastern in flavor.

Jeremy
The restaurant was much nicer than I expected.  My mom ordered a combination platter than included three appetizers:  Kashk Badengan (eggplant dip), Badenjan Buranee (fried eggplant) and Sambosa  (a meat dumpling).   I really liked  the Sambosas; they sort of tasted like tacos.  The eggplant dip was amazing.  It was the first time I ever liked anything made of eggplant.  We also had the Salad Shirazi filled with cucumbers, tomatoes, mint, onion and feta cheese.  It was tasty.  We then ordered a special drink from Afghanistan called Dhoog, a salty yoghurt soda with mint.  It tasted like baking soda with milk and ground Mentos.

Max
I liked everything except for the fried eggplant.  I really hated the Dhoogh.  It tasted like carbonated yogurt.

Marci
The eggplant dip was indeed excellent --kind of a Baba Ganoosh with tomatoes.  The Sambosas had a delicate pastry dough--  much lighter than an Indian Samosa. As for Doogh, it is definitely an acquired taste.  It reminded me of me Total yoghurt with a spritz and some mint. -- not bad, but is it anything you'd ever think to make?

Jeremy
For entrees we ordered three kebabs:  Cornish Hen (Jojeh Kebab), Lamb, (Tikka Kebab) and Ground Beef (Kabab Kobideh).    It was served on an enormous platter with brown and white basmati rice, raw onions and grilled tomatoes.   The kebabs were really good.   I even liked the rice which I normally don't like.

Max
I also liked the lamb kebabs.  I really didn't like the ground beef.  It tasted a little weird.  I liked to mix the lamb with the raw onions and rice.

Marci
My favorite was the cornish hen kebab: very moist and absolutely delicious.

Jeremy
For dessert we had Bakhlava and also home made rosewater ice cream with pistachio nuts.  The bakhlava was okay; the ice cream didn't taste like much.  I would definitely go back to Kabul Kebab.  The food was really tasty.  I would try Afghani food again.

Max
I liked the ice cream because it was icey.  It was the first time I had bakhlava.  It was good but very sweet.  I really like kebabs so I would definitely go back to Kabul Kebab.

Marci
Me too.  The food was fresh, delicious and well-priced.  We definitely will eat Afghani food again.  Let's see if the next one we try will be as good as Kabul Kebab!

KABUL KEBAB HOUSE
42-51 Main Street
Flushing, NY
(718) 461-1919

a thumbs up, according to Jeremy, is 3.5 out of 4 stars