The exterior of this Persian hole-in-the-wall isn’t much to look at. With iron banisters and subtle pink hued walls under the shade of trees, Mister Kabab exudes the personality of a house, rather than a gastronomic favorite. But at night, with its homey milieu bathed by a comfy muted yellow light, along with a signage that struts the promise of exotic middle-eastern cuisine, Mister Kabab attracts a substantial dining crowd and a long waiting line.
With its location on a rather tousled corner at the intersection of West and Quezon Avenue, it’s the favorite eating place of beautiful and beautifully clad Saturday night owls before and after prowling the bars and clubs of Timog. With a menu that rosters good cheap food, bar-hoppers dine early in the evening to avoid the costs of expensive bar chow, and in the wee hours of the morning to mellow their alcoholic binges. Weekdays at the restaurant see to the after-five o’clock crowds, where it’s the perfect place to meet, chat, and slow down amid P40 Beef Shawarmas and sour-sweet Yogurt Shakes.
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Mortaza Tabaroki
Mister Kabab Consultant with the staff | |
The exposed steel rafters and tin roofing, ceiling fans, laminated menus, and corner water dispenser spell dining with your elbows on the table. But Mister Kabab’s clientele range from A to D. It’s a place where the poor, the rich, and the richer can go to feast.
Mister Kebab boasts of a diverse menu that ranges from Indian, Persian, Arabian, and Filipino. Though majority of the dishes are in a foreign tongue, most of them have been flavored or hosed down to the appreciation of the Filipino palate. Think, just where in Iran do they serve Persian specialties on the slab of a sizzling plate with gravy the way Pinoys like it?
Notables in Mister Kabab’s lineup include the Keema with Eggplant. The Keema, which is ground beef with meek hints of chili, is topped with a whole pan-fried eggplant and is served with chopped raw cabbages and tomatoes on the side. The Keema can also be ordered sizzling and dribbled with gravy.
The Beryani Rice, which is yellow-colored rice cooked in spices and mixed with minced carrots and chopped green peppers, can be ordered served with the lamb, chicken, or beef Korma.
The Kabab’s Korma is a mildly curried dish, where meat of your choice is cooked in yogurt and an array of spices. The Korma’s sauce is an ideal accompaniment to an order of unleavened Pita Bread; one can simply rip off pieces of bread and douse it in the sauce.
And the Special Chelo Kabab, which is strips of grilled ground beef and tenderloin flavored with onions and pepper, is served with open-fire roasted tomatoes and rice topped with butter. .
Other dishes in their selection include the Ox-brain, Persian Burger, Saluyot Soup, Flfel Sandwich, Liver Dish, Stuffed Bell Pepper and the Keshmeshy mixed rice. And a white garlic yogurt sauce provided at every table, complements whatever dish it is poured on
Prime hours for the food spot is from seven to ten in the evening, where patrons can be absurdly plentiful. With the bounty of customers service can be a snag and waiting for food, waitress, table, or bill is normal occurrence. But no one’s complaining, Mister Kabab’s mobs of loyal followers think the food is well worth the long wait.
