Waresh Al Mandi is Karama’s only Iranian restaurant. It is also one of only a handful of Mandi restaurants in Karama. And lastly, it is the first combination of the two cuisines I have come across…anywhere. The two-story restaurant is located dead opposite the Karama Fish Market on 45B Street. Typical of mandi restaurants, Waresh has a number of floor seating cubicles upstairs with the rest of the eatery decked out in table-chairs. There’s nothing fancy about the interior but it’s clean and (as importantly at this time of year) cool. The flat screens play Persian only channels which add to the character of the restaurant.
All meals are served with complimentary bowls of vegetable soup, Mast-o Khiyar (cucumber riata) and Jarjeer Salad – brilliant value if you ask me. Waresh’s menu covers many of the popular Iranian kababs and the mixed grill is the best way of sampling them. You get a short skewer of Joojeh Kabab, Masti Chicken, Chenjeh Meat and Koobideh. Of the four I liked the Masti Chicken the most, and the Joojeh the least – it was dry and tough.
Waresh Al Mandi offers a number of Iranian Khoresh (stews), most notably favourites Gheimeh and Ghormeh Sabzi. Sadly, none of the popular vegetarian dishes are served anymore. Owner Farhadi told me there was no demand. Speaking of which, it is very much their mandi which is the driver of this restaurant. Where Waresh employs an Iranian chef for their Iranian food, they have an Egyptian for their Arabian food. An Iranian and an Egyptian sharing a kitchen – there must be a joke in there somewhere. What is not a joke is their excellent mandi. Consider ordering fish rather than meat or chicken – remember, they are across the road from the fish market where the owner still has an outlet.
Service is friendly, fast and accommodating, and there is an attention to detail which you find in restaurants which are manned by the owners themselves. Waresh has a number of bikers which deliver throughout Karama. So, whether it’s Iranian or mandi you like, this restaurant is worth a visit.
Waste NOT. Want NOT.
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