Ostadi

Ostadi, Dubai, Cuisine: Iranian/Persian

Posted on January 14th, 2010 by Sajid AD

Reviews have been written umpteen times about this small place in the heart of Bur Dubai, near Musalla Mall, also known as old Pakistani Consulate area. This restaurant has been around for maybe 5 decades and three generations. Ambiance: All the tables are plastered with notes and coins of various countries and a thick slab of glass shielding it from other collectors. All around you will see pictures of famous celebrities who have visited this place. And in one corner you will see pictures of one guy in bodybuilding competitions (dont be surprised when this guy serves your food). Clocks, vintage mobile phones, ads of fancy car plate numbers and many such weird things adorn the walls. Service: Friendly or rather homely is the word. The guys who will serve you are all family members (I think) of the owner. The way they talk will make you feel as you know them for years, even you go there for the first time. I remember once this guy who was serving, spoon-fed (literally) my friend who had some left-overs on his plate. Of course we are regulars there, so he could do this. Overall a very pleasant service. And those guys speak Persian/Farsi (of course), English, Arabic and even Hindi. Food: The last thing that comes in front of you completes the overall experience of great food. I mean it, if all three (ambiance, service and food) fall in the right zones, then good food becomes great food. The salad comes on your table even before you have settled down on your chair. The joint is usually full, so by the time your food comes, you can hog on the salad while bitching about your colleagues. Try my favourite cholo kabab (cholo means rice in Persian), which I think is their signature dish. The rice is yummy to the core, the aroma, colour and flavour. Kebab is even better, one of the best i have eaten. Rice to be eaten with the grilled tomato juice or you can order some gravy separately who like their rice wet. There are lots of grilled stuff to try and treat your taste buds. And dont forget to order their lassi/butter milk, its equally amazing. After you have finished with such a massive meal, loosened your pants, then its tradition to have some shai (black tea) with mint leaves. Shai is complimentary. And so are the dates, a packet of chewing gums and 1 spray of some perfume as you exit.