Restaurant Spotlight of the Week:

Bread & Kabob

Bread & Kabob

3407-B Payne St. Falls Church, VA • (703) 845-2900

Hours: Sun - Thur: 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.;

Fri - Sat: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 a.m.

There is a huge selection of eateries to choose from in the Culmore area of Falls Church along Route 7, and a wide variety of types of food; from Salvadorean to Italian to Chinese. Within this bounty, Bread and Kabob is something of a diamond in the rough. While it doesn't initially attract the eye, it is an inexpensive place to find excellent Persian food without any fuss.

While some people think of Persian food as unfamiliar or unapproachable, it is actually the first style of cooking to use some of the best known and well loved ingredients. These include spices like basil, mint, and cumin, as well as foods like spinach, pistachios and even oranges. In fact, many of the tastes that European cultures are familiar with, came out of Persian culture.

With up-front ordering and an extensive and descriptive menu, the initial confrontation with a relatively unknown genre of food is made both simple and quick. The staff is very helpful in navigating the choices, and are more than willing to offer their own suggestions. The menu provides bastions for comfort as well as avenues for interest and experimentation. From the soup to the main course, there are choices for almost any taste preference.

But before one even begins to peruse the entrees, it is absolutely essential that they order bread and the homemade hummus. Prepared at the restaurant, it is a refreshing take on the often blasé dip.

Segueing into the meal, the Dizi, a traditional Iranian stew, is hot and hearty. Made with lamp, potatoes, beans, and a whole lot more, it is as filling as a meal.

A safe yet interesting choice is the Lamb Soltani. A long strip of savory lamb, served on a bed of rice, the meat is full bodied and juicy with a lot of flavor. It manages to be both crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Perfect. Also good is the Chicken Soltani. Chicken is a difficult meat to get right when served on kabob. Either the outside gets burnt or the inside is undercooked. But Bread and Kabob is able to get the balance right, leaving the chicken moist while still fully cooked. The marinade is tasty without overwhelming the more subtle chicken.

For an experience meant more for the adventurous, the lamb's liver and heart is an exercise in intense flavors. Especially good for those that appreciate the tastes of good liver, the tastes are not compromised with onions or sauces, but are strikingly honest. While not meant for the faint of heart, it is a arresting choice for those that dare.

Finally, if the very mention of liver makes your stomach a bit weak, the restaurant also serves fresh roasted vegetable kabobs that include onions, peppers, and tomatoes just to name a few. Lightly marinated, the vegetables are still crisp and are served with saffron rice. After indulging in the main course one should make sure there is still space for a little dessert. Both the Faaludeh and the Zoolbia-Baamieh are appealing choices and are a great way to end dinner.