Treasures from Persia Grill

Something different is what we both agreed on. So one cozy night, instead of our usual Japanese food fix, we went to Persia Grill to refrain from going to the usual dinner suspects. Upon entering, the wait staff courteously ushered us to this lovely and aptly designed nook with curtains and beautiful little details that will take you back to the the region of the world's earliest civilizations.

Persia Grill's menu are actual recipes from the owner's grandmother who's family is apparently is from Iran. So if you're looking for authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, you've come to the right place. 

What wo ordered

Creamy Yogurt Shake - Php85.00

Gormeh Sabzi - Php255.00

Out of curiosity, CS ordered Gormeh Sabzi, said to be Iran's National Dish, which consists of beef, herbs and vegetables with pickled gherkins, a veggie related to cucumber. I had a spoonful of it and the taste was too much for me, the herb taste was overwhelming.

Chelo Kebab Kubideh - Php275.00

I was too hungry and was not up for surprises that night to I ordered my staple order in Mister Kebab -- Beef Chelo Kebab. Boring I know since Persia Grill offers a wide variety of Middle Eastern food off the menu. But if you've come for delicious and food that tastes familiar, you'll never go wrong with skewers of grilled ground beef with Basmati rice. Just pour the hot and/or yogurt garlic sauce, I like mine more on the spicy side, and you're in for a treat!

This never fails!

~o~o~o~

Persia Grill
Bluebaywalk, EDSA cor. Macapagal Avenue
Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 843-4771

Mister Kabab Down South

I have been seeing the Mister Kabab sign at Bluewave Macagapagal for quite sometime now but never really bothered to check if its the real thing. Well, that's until I got a text from DB saying he saw it too and believes that the one we've been frequenting along West Avenue in Quezon City and the newly-opened in Bluewave is one and the same, just another branch.

While the original Mister Kabab is open-air, this branch down South is fully air-conditioned and designed to transport you to the Middle Eastern part of the world with its brick walls and floor to ceiling colored windows.

I was quite surprised to see that only a couple of tables were occupied. I was used to the West Ave. branch where its either full or we are lucky to get the last few tables available. I guess like me, people doesn't know that there's a Mister Kabab here already.

The menu is the same so it didn't take long before we made up our minds and get our usual orders.

Yogurt Shake just mildly sweetened. I like!

Pita and Hummus arrived first.

I initially wanted this Beef Chelo Kebab but later changed my mind. DB's first order, Lamb Chop was unavailable so he settled for this.

I ordered Lamb Biryani which was also unavailable (boo!). Since DB beat me in ordering Beef Chelo Kebab, I chose Beef Keema with Eggplant instead.

I only ate half of it, I find the taste a bit weird, I should've ordered Keema alone. Next time.

At last! No need to travel all the way to QC for affordable and authentic Persian cuisine. I hope they bring some more great restaurants down South soon.

~o~o~o~

Mister Kabab

Blue Wave Macapagal, Macapagal Blvd cor EDSA

Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines

Tel.: (632) 822-7825

Mister Kabab

Dear Mister,

First of all, I would like to apologize for not coming back sooner. You see, its quite an effort to go to your place since we are on the opposite sides of the Metro. So every time I am in your vicinity, I make it a point to visit you and you only. (Let's keep that a secret between us okay? I don't want DB to suspect that you're really the reason I go there).

Anyway, its been a pleasure, as always, to having been served with the best and most affordable Persian food in the city. I promise to be back again soon.

Love,
Me

P.S. No more price increase please?

After visiting a friend at the cemetery, I asked  DB if we can have lunch at one of my favorite restaurants -- Mister Kabab. It was my first time to go here in the afternoon and I am happy that we don't have to wait for a table (the place is packed most of the time but most especially during lunch and dinner times when waiting can be as long as 15 to 30 minutes).

No aircon but the big windows and high ceiling with lots of ceiling fans
(that's one per table) gives proper ventilation to the place.

Yogurt shake -- Sweet and so refreshing!

Pita bread

Hummus is very mild but still flavorful.

Special Beef Chelo Kabab -- My comfort food! Two strips of juicy and delicious ground beef served with
grilled tomatoes and buttered rice. Mix it with their homemade garlic and hot sauce and
you're ready to have the best meal of your life, no exaggeration!

"Ang batang matangkad, batang Star."
Oh wait, its not margarine but butter!

~o~o~o~

Mister Kabab

95A West Ave.

Quezon City, Metro Manila

Philippines

Tel.: (632) 373-5941

Arya Persian Restaurant

Dubbed as the best in Manila, Arya Persian Restaurant is your best bet if you're craving for good and hot Persian cuisine. Want proof? Well, this family-owned and operated restaurant has been included in Philippine Tatler's Best Restaurants in Manila since 2007.

The place was very cozy and it really felt like we were transported into some restaurant in the Mediterranean.

On the table

Plain Yogurt

I used to love Green Tomato's Yogurt drink but after a couple of boo boos (one time it was really
sweet then next time too sour) I began my haunt for the best yogurt drink and I think I
have finally found it! I even saw a couple ordering this to go. The sweetness
was just perfect and it was so refreshing!

Beef Barg -- Tender marinated beef steak, sliced, skewered and charbroiled served with Biryani rice

When the waiter placed our orders to the table, we were like WOW! It was really good for 2 persons.
We were used to waiters telling us that the meals are good for sharing but ended up ordering
more, but this one lives up to its claim. As for the taste, I only have three words --
TO DIE FOR! It was really mouth-watering and so delicious!

Lamb Biryani -- Tender lamb shank stewed in spicy Biryani sauce served with Biryani rice.

Lamb was very tender and full of flavors!

What I love most about Persian cuisine is that the flavors is not overpowering which is very common in most Mediterranean cuisines. Arya maybe a bit more expensive than most restaurants which offer the same type of food, but the quality is really topnotch which makes dining here an experience in itself. I highly recommend this. What are you waiting for? Go call and reserve now!

~o~o~o~

Arya Persian Restaurant

2nd Level, Midtown Wing, Robinsons Place Manila
Pedro Gil cor. Adriatico Sts., Ermita
Manila, Metro Manila, Philippines
Tel.: (632) 567-3800