WRITING CULTURE 2012: Film, Food & Beyond

As you enter Bamiyan Restaurant on the corner of 26th street and 3rd Avenue of the first questions you find yourself asking is “will I try to be traditional and sit on the floor or will sit at a table be familiar”. I sat at the table because I didn’t want tradition to mess up my back. One of the first things I noticed were the Afghan rugs hanging on the walls throughout the restaurant.  There was also traditional Afghan music playing and the soft flutes were accompanied by strumming guitars which truly let you know you were not in an American restaurant.

I chose to sit at a table in lieu of the floor even thought the low tables look tempting I know my back couldn’t take it

As I sat down, I was greeted by the waitress who had a very pleasant disposition. I found out her name was Namia and she was from Nepal. I wanted to start off with an entree and after perusing the menu I decided on the Fesenjan($8.95) which the menu describes as “sweet and sour tender pieces of boneless chicken with walnuts and pomegranate juice”. I was very curious how walnuts and pomegranate juice could be mixed with chicken.  Namia brought out a basket of bread as well as my entrée and I was told that the bread was traditional Afghan bread and you eat the Fesenjan with it.  The Fesenjan tasted remarkable with the Afghan bread and the sweetness of the pomegranate juice went perfect with the lamb. I didn’t taste the walnuts in the Fesenjan but if they say it was in there then I have to take their word for it.

Afghan Bread

The Fesenjan

For the main course I had Lamb Curry with Basmati rice ($16.95). I was a bit apprehensive about ordering the lamb curry because the description in the menu described it as “lamb sautéed with fresh vegetables, lentils, curry and yogurt”. I didn’t know how yogurt and lentils would taste together but my fears were put to rest once I took the first bite. The lamb was was succulent and the curry and yogurt made a magnificent sauce that only complimented the already robust flavor.

Lamb Curry

Basmati Rice

Namia  asked if I wanted dessert but I had no room left in my stuffed belly, I did  however want to try the Coconut cream coffee I saw on the menu. I’m a big fan of coconut and to think that I could have it in a coffee was really exciting to me and for $3.50 it was no more expensive than a cup of coffee from Starbucks. After my first sip I was in coconut heaven and the coffee was sweetened perfectly as if Namia had known me for years and knew just how I liked it.

Coconut Cream Coffee

I had the pleasure of meeting one of the owners,  Sayed Nader Shah and found out he was political science major like myself. He studied Political Science at Columbia University and his brother  Sayed Ahmad Shah who is the other owner of Bamiyan was once a Supreme Court Judge in Afghanistan.  I inquired about a picture in the back of the restaurant where the VIP dining area is and he told me it symbolized an Afghan story about a father that goes to war without knowing that he has a son. The father and son meet years on the battlefield and not knowing he was his father the son kills him with an arrow.

The owner(Sayed Nader Shah) and I looking very tired, guess this is the life of Ploy Sci majors, not enough sleep but great food. I’ll take it.

The Persian Painting that Sayed explained to me

I  think the owner needs to come out more and converse with the customers, he is truly an interesting man.  I felt the restaurant lacked personality and the only thing that screamed “hey, we’re an Afghan restaurant” was the fact the name was Afghan.  Hanging rugs throughout the place and playing middle eastern music doesn’t distinguish this place from the other Middle Eastern restaurants.  The fact it’s partially owned by a former Afghan Supreme Court Judge definitely does.