Persian; Malaysian!

Two totally different genres of food, back to back. Both, immensely heavenly and orgasmic.

First up:

Shamshiri Grill
1712 Westwood Blvd.

It's that restaurant that you always see driving past--but never think to go in. But you should, because this Persian restaurant is the greatest delight I've ever encountered with my fellow co-workers. They serve mostly Meditteranean type dishes/foods: typically the hummus, baba ganoush, crazy other things with eggplant, falafel, tzatsiki (that yogurt w/ cucumbers!)--all things you can eat with unlimited (warm) pita bread! It's all extemely delicious.

Food: The main dishes tend to be either lamb, chicken, or beef--and I high recommend their lamb--I got something like this A_ _? Polo dish with AMAZING basmati rice (different colors, with sour berries? CHERRIES?) it was sweet, but not overpoweringly so, and added to the succulent lamb before me. My lamb shanks are HUGE, many in number, and juicy--in their own little dish thing.

I have to also mention that their portions could probably serve 2.3 persons!!! I had soooo much leftover that I wish I could have stuffed down into my belly. Alas, this was not so.

Their vegetables are also suberb (all grilled! I'd die for another one of their tomatoes. Seriously.) This is also a slightly vegetarian-friendly venue.

We didn't try the desserts because they sounded crazy, like BURBUR CHA CHA. Iono what that is, but I was so full, I though I would burst!

Service: PERFECT. Never have I (esp. in a LARGE 20? person group) in a BUSY/full restaurant been so attended to. The owners and head waiter person kept asking us if we needed help, etc. They were all extremely friendly and filled ALL of our waters, pita bread without us asking (or even, needing it!). They were always making sure everything was perfect. And on top of it, they were sooo nice and friendly. Even playful ALMOST. I'm gushing. But it was really perfect.

Price: $8-15 for a main dish. The upper range is mainly for the higher up specialty dishes that no one ordered. But my lamb dish was only $9.95 and since the prices were relatively cheap for a nice (warmly decorated) restaurant with a slightly business/posh crowd, Saabir and I decided to get separate dishes (boy did we not need to!).

Also: Roti Canai for $2.95 (but you only get one, which is sharable for 2 ppl.)

I believe this place received an A from the Health Dept., etc.. YAY!!!!!!



Belecan Grill Restaurant
2701 190th St.
Redondo Beach
Ph: (310) 370-1831

I'd never had Malaysian food before, unless Indonesian food at Penang in the Upper East Side of NYC (AMAZING) counts as similar enough to Malaysian food, but it was really a venture worth taking.

This restaurant is a little bit out of the way of LA, but if you're ever in the area, or want to stop for tastiness whilst driving down the 405 (it's close to the Hawthorne Blvd. exit), please stop by.

The atmosphere here is similar to that at Shamshiri--kind of more business class type crowd. A little fancier than your normal restaurant (i.e. cloth napkins, drinking water/chardonnay out of wine glasses, etc).

Food: The Roti Canai (Malaysian pancake w/ curry sauce) is to DIE for. It's not pancake in your traditional sense--it's more like the Indian roti, except not as thick--think the buttery greatness of puff pastries, and that's what this Roti Canai is. The curry sauce is also very flavorful and pitch perfect.

We ordered the large prawns in a coconut-curry crockpot? and it was more than enough for the two of us sharing it (even though we also someone ordered one of their rice noodle dishes AND Belacan string beans).

The food tends to be spicy in the Malaysian style, but it's mild-medium, so definitely bearable for non-spicy eaters! Their Belacan (shrimp paste signature) spice is very very good, but not if you don't like seafood.

I definitely recommend getting the coconut rice w/ the meal since it complements the spices (coconut, shrimpy ones) in the food.

Service: The service here is also VERY good and attentive. Saabir's parents ordered the noodle dish veggie-style w/ no egg, but since the chef forgot and put egg in it, we told our waiter and he not only let us keep the egg-infested dish, but brough out the replacement one piping hot! in a flash. They're good.

They also are quick on refills, making sure everything is okay. I love that.

The only downside is the heavy accented-ness of the waiters (it's a family run restaurant)--kind of a downside because if you ask him/her what's in a dish, it's difficult to understand what s/he is saying. But the food all tastes delicious so who cares!

Price: The normal beef/chicken/veggie and noodle dishes are about $7-10, but I highly recommend their seafood, which is very good/good looking (i.e. shrimp, prawn, or crab!) which runs a little higher, around $13-15/dish.

Random tidbit, thrown in: There appears to be a heavy endorsement of Malaysia Airlines in this restaurant--banners/posters for Malaysian tourism everywhere! Kind of funny.



All in all: YES! a High-Fivin' good time. Please eat (t)here. I'll go with you. Because it's amazing.

We should still go to CHABA in Redondo Beach (the fancy Thai place I keep raving about) because it is simply scrumptious, but a little pricey. Mindy, it's waiting for you!

The end. I can sleep now because my hair is dry.