Anthony Bourdain, the late host of CNN’s Part’s Unknown, still resurfaces in my memory or appears in my on-line research. One of his visits to LA was recorded in a Part’s Unknown episode and featured Taste of Tehran, a small Persian restaurant on Westwood in Tehrangeles.
Chef / Owner Saghar Fanisalek grew up in Iran. She moved to the U.S. in 2003 and first worked at Shaherzad, one of Westwood’s longest-standing kebab houses. Fanisalek branched out on her own to open Taste of Tehran in 2013. She has also been a judge in Bravo’s Top Chef.
Not long ago, I ate inside the diminutive restaurant and upon my return, I should not have been surprised to see the safety changes made to the interior. A large plexiglass partition was mounted on the counter and many of the tables had these dividers mounted to them. Customers place orders at a distance that exceeds 6 ft from the counter.
After receiving my “to go” order, I dropped off a portion of it to my mom located nearby and drove home to share the rest of my haul with my wife. Portion sizes are extremely generous and include lavash. The flatbread nicely pairs with Bourani, a dish made with yogurt, spinach, garlic, and other spices.
The Chicken Kabob was nicely seasoned and cooked so that the white meat was still moist inside. It was served with fluffy basmati rice seasoned with saffron. My wife was happy that they included a packet of sumac seasoning which gave everything a nice boost of lemon flavor.
Lavash wraps are a nice lunch offering because they are a lighter option. The beef koobideh I ordered was packed with flavorful Middle East spices and the combination of chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and dressing. This was a delicious beef koobideh experience; something that I will definitely order again.
Taste of Tehran offers a number of sides. The Shirazi Salad is tangy and nicely compliments their meat dishes. The cucumber, tomato, and onion salad is combined with a tasty dressing made with lemon juice and olive oil. Other items available include a quinoa salad mixed with Shirazi and a quinoa salad with lentils, dates, and raisins.
Individuals that require gluten-free meals will be delighted to learn that everything on their menu is gluten-free. The only exception is the Ash Reshteh, a traditional Persian soup made with noodles and yogurt.
Delivery service is available via Doordash, Grubhub, and Postmates. If you truly want to support Taste of Tehran, show up in person and order the food to go. That will save them from paying hefty charges to these delivery services.
Taste of Tehran, 1915 Westwood Blvd., Los Angeles, 310.470.0022
tasteoftehran.com