meat on skewers, yum!

I don't know when it started exactly, but people have been patronizing a lot of Persian/ Turkish/ Moroccan/ Middle Eastern/ Mediterranean restaurants lately. I'm not too familiar with these cuisines and tend to lump them together-- sorry about that. All I know for sure is that putting some meat on a stick and grilling them is very primal and calls out to the caveman in all of us. Oh, and if done correctly, it tastes soo-ooo good.

This past March, we were at Trinoma Mall in Quezon City and decided to eat at Shomal by Hossein because I'd heard nice things about their kebabs. The first thing I noticed when we entered was the funky yet romantic light fixtures.


The left side of the restaurant is lined with cozy booths that make you feel like you're inside a tent in the middle of the desert somehow. But with AC and comfy chairs. And indoor plumbing.


Ma and Bunny Rabbit pretended to examine the menu without their reading glasses. Both of them couldn't see a thing.


I ended up ordering for everyone. We had the mixed kebabs with a side of saffron rice.


Verdict: More and more, I appreciate the fact that in life, you get what you pay for. Shomal is pretty pricey, but the quality of the food is above-board. All of the kebabs were expertly done-- tender, moist and full of that exotic flavor that makes you close your eyes and transports you to another place or time. I'm a big fan of lamb and I was not disappointed. The beef and chicken were top-notch and the fish was perfectly flaky. But it was the shrimp that was the big surprise. It was smothered in this fiery orange sauce and popped in your mouth when you bit down. You could feel the exquisite juices spreading over your tongue. Fantabulous. And the rice was great, too. Real Basmati, real saffron, real butter. Oy.


Must. Go. Back. Soon.