| rev:text
| - The short version: Would highly recommend this place if you're looking for a unique culinary experience that you can't find everywhere. Delicious food at reasonable prices.
The long version: Took my boyfriend here for lunch today and we LOVED this place. A few reasons why I really enjoyed my experience:
(1) First and foremost, the food was *delicious* and fresh. We ordered:
- A traditional Uzbek bread (shaped like a disk with a thick rim and an indented middle, sprinkled with sesame seeds). This was served piping hot and fresh.
- A spiced pumpkin + onion samsa (an Uzbek-style samosa). Made to order and very fresh. Amazing balance of flavors. My mouth is watering as I type.
- A beef julien (a crepe folded around a creamy beef and mushroom filling to make a pouch shape).
- Plov (traditional Uzbek rice)
- Beef manti (steamed dumplings served with sour cream). Kind of similar to Chinese soup dumplings. Succulent packages of meat and juice that explode with flavor on every bite.
- Ayran (a chilled yogurt drink)
The yogurt drink is probably a bit of an acquired taste (I'm sure it's quite refreshing once you get used to its strong sourness), but we really loved everything else from the first bite. To me, the highlights were definitely the bread (SO soft and airy), the pumpkin samsa, and the manti. Get at least those 3 things when you come here.
(2) The pricing was very reasonable. Even with all that food we ordered (which ended up being too much for the two of us), the price came out to just $37 before tip.
(3) It was just so much fun to experience a new culture. Due to the country's geography and history, Uzbek food features elements from many other cuisines that you may already be familiar with: Asian, Indian, Middle Eastern, Eastern European, and possibly more. It was very cool to see all these flavors come together into something I had never tasted before.
(4) The service was outstanding. Our waiter was so polite and courteous that it really stood out because it's uncommon to see servers being so formal.
My one criticism is that the interior could really use a facelift. While the Uzbekistan-themed art and tapestries are nice, the building is very clearly just a house that got converted to a restaurant, and it seems like it's been a while since it's been renovated. It doesn't have much of an atmosphere. It didn't help that the TV on the wall was randomly playing Keane music videos that didn't go very well with the decor.
Still, I can't wait to come back again! My stomach is already craving more manti...
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