In what was a hastily pulled-together outing, three friends converged from three different sides of the city , and they found themselves on Madison's crown jewel that is State St....
I had heard of Kabul before, and was aware of its status as a Madison staple, and of the fact that it recently relocated,... with the obnoxious, yet intriguing monstrosity that has been dubbed "The Hub", the landscape of Good Ol' State, and Lil Ol' Coolsville, is changing at a pace that is likely too rapid for it's own good, but regardless of your feelings towards that fact, it is nice to see a familiar face in the sea of ever-changing businesses in this central location.
My visit to Kabul was disappointing. I was excited at it's vegetarian options, and looked forward to an escape to the Middle East. First, let me just say that the space itself is very pleasant. The lighting at dinner was romantic, and the birds-eye view of State St was enjoyable. There were small candles lit at every table, and the bar was colorful and a central fixture. Our waitress was charming, knowledgeable and attentive during what appeared to be a rather underwhelming dinner service. In general, the first impression was excellent.
The food, on the other hand, left something to be desired... I ordered a dish of spinach dumplings, which descended upon the table quickly after ordering. I was disappointed that the dish was totally cold, even though I took a bite right away. Perhaps it was the yogurt sauce it was drenched in. Perhaps the dishes were not timed properly. Whatever it was, I can't believe I paid $11 for it. The green beans on top were clearly from a can, were mushy, and had a disconcerting aluminum aftertaste.... The portion was too small for the price, and even after snacking before the meal, and after eating two pieces of bread and a small salad that came with the meal, I was still quite hungry. I wish I had sent the plate back.
Given the generally good reviews, I suspect Kabul was having an off-night. But it is still concerning to me, as there appears to be a quality issue with this dish, and perhaps some issues with the procedures in the kitchen. I will not be back.