Sizzling new Kabob House fires up taste buds

By Jeff Eagan
Staff Writer

If you're a student looking for an affordable and delicious lunch or dinner option, the newly opened Kabob House at 4701 White Lane will both fill your belly and exceed all expectations.
Arriving at the Kabob House late Wednesday night after class I found a family of 10 already happily enjoying massive plates filled with appetizing ground beef khoobideh kabob, steaming piles of Basmati rice topped with yellow saffron, and grilled vegetables such as tomatoes, onions and bell peppers.
I was heartily welcomed by brothers Ali and Reza Razmjou, owner and head chef, as I walked through the front door. I hastily ordered the number two, the shish kabob, which comes with marinated filet mignon, cut, skewered and flame broiled, served with rice and salad. Chef Reza went straight to work preparing my colleague and mine's meal. There were no freezers present. The Kabob House picks up their meat from L.A. twice a week to ensure the freshness and quality of the ingredients in their food. The flames rose from the grill as the sweet smell of fine cuts of beef and freshly peeled onions wafted into my nostrils.
Over two decades of cooking experience was evident in the way Chef Reza masterfully and passionately cooked the kabob and roasted the vegetables for the perfect amount of time. Chef Reza had previously worked at the luxurious Javan Restaurant in Santa Monica for 18 years, and he has brought his skillful culinary philosophy by using the freshest ingredients possible.
Warm pita bread accompanied my kabob and rice, along with fresh must'o khiar (plain yogurt, diced cucumbers and dry mint) and intensely flavorful hummus. I dug in with delight. The meat was savory, not overly marinated and very filling. One of the chef's hallmarks is to bring out the natural flavors of the meat, not to disguise it behind too many spices. The rice was warm, fluffy and cooked to perfection, enhanced by the elegant fragrance and taste of the bright yellow saffron. The vegetables were crunchy, flavorful and were a fitting compliment to the succulent filet mignon as I relished over the wholesome meal.
Other entrees they offer are the boneless chicken kabob, shrimp and salmon kabob, the favorite lamb shank, even a vegetarian kabob that looked tempting. The Kabob House is of the Persian persuasion and offers traditional dishes such as Gormeh Sabzi, which includes fresh green herbs sautéed and stewed with kidney beans, dried lemon cooked with beef and served with rice. Also is Gheimeh, a tomato-based saffron sauce, fried onions cooked with beef and served with rice.
Overall, this new restaurant will be an exciting addition and formative rival to the other kabob places in town like Flame-n-Skewers. They offer lunch portions ranging from $7.50-$9.95 that includes one kabob with the combo and for a couple dollars more, you can get the dinner, which has two kabobs from $10.95-$12.95, more than enough for the hungry student on the go. Suffice it to say, the lunch portion was enough for my stomach because I was pleasantly filled and satisfied. I strongly recommend this restaurant to anyone who wants a delectable, affordable and healthy meal. Their hours are 11:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., seven days a week.