Kabobi

I’ll admit it–when I heard I could not order alcohol at Kabobi, I sort of wanted to leave. It didn’t help that I was with my supper club, and my supper club is not a group inclined to teetotalling. Naturally I got some flack for my failure to prepare them for this news, as some of them would undoubtedly have attempted to smuggle in flasks.

I’ll admit it–when I heard I could not order alcohol at Kabobi, I sort of wanted to leave.

But we all persevered through the forced switch from chablis to chai, a huge self-serve jug of which is brewed in the back of the simply adorned, tidy little restaurant, and I surveyed the menu tentatively. Not having done even so much as one wiki search on Afghan food before I came, I had no idea what anything was. But the second I sunk my teeth into a piece of bulanee –a homemade pastry shell filled with leeks and potatoes and pan-fried, then served hot from the pan with yogurt and chatni sauce—I was hooked on Afghan cuisine.

Next came the Borawni Kadoo—pumpkin cooked with tomato sauce and spices and served on yogurt garlic sauce—which I ordered because I like pumpkin and I liked saying “kadoo” (yes, very scientific). The soft, almost creamy, chunks of stewed pumpkin contrasting with the tangy yogurt sauce was transporting. One order of savory orange lentils and Tika Kabob (charbroiled lamb chunks marinated with garlic and spices) and sweet, flaky baklava later, I was a devout fan of Afghan food, wine or no wine. When in Kabobi….

Details

Cuisine: Afghan

Executive Chef: Kabir Wahedi

Atmosphere: The décor is Spartan, but not uncomfortably so, the restaurant is large and the tables spaced enough that you can have a semi-private conversation, there is a self serve tea set up in the back of the restaurant.

Outdoor seating: Yes, a few sidewalk tables along SE Hawthorne

Best Seat: In the window, or close to the chai tea supply

Noise Level: Normal

Dress Code: Casual

Bathrooms: Yes, back of the restaurant down the hallway on the far left

Parking: Free and fairly easy to find on surrounding side streets

Cocktails: No

Beer: No

Wine: No

Coffee: Chai

Vegetarian Friendly: Yes

Vegan Friendly: Yes

Good for the following occasions: Family Meal, Out With Friends, Alcohol-Free Dining

Group/Private Party Details: The restaurant can accommodate larger groups of up to around 20

Reservations: Yes

Take-Out: Yes

Deals: Kabobi The website provides first time diners with a 10 percent off coupon