The Cupertino Courier

Photograph by Skye Dunlap

Lou Taheri, a manager at Afghani House Restaurant, displays two traditional Afghan dishes--quabili pallaw (lamb shanks cooked in a broth) and nan (bread).

Afghani House combines flavors of India, Russia

By Eric Drudis

"It is very unique," owner Farid Taheri says of the food he serves at the Afghani House Restaurant. "There is nothing quite like it. This is authentic Afghan food, just like in Afghanistan."

Taheri and his brothers, who opened Afghani House in January 1995, are banking on that uniqueness and the quality of the food to keep customers coming back--especially because there are few Afghan people in the area.

Taheri describes the food as consisting of spices from India, dishes from the Middle East and China, and some from the former Soviet states.

"Each dish is made differently," he said, "but we concentrate on lamb dishes like stew of lamb and lamb shish kebabs."

Taheri estimates that he serves about 180 diners for lunch or dinner on weekdays.

A former architect, Taheri says the restaurant was created to "look and feel" like his native country of Afghanistan. "It is designed as a restaurant from back home," he says.

Within the next two years, Taheri says, he may open a second restaurant on the Peninsula, where a larger Afghan population exists. Currently, he draws much of his customer base from businesses along El Camino Real. Afghan people from the Oakland area also dine at his restaurant frequently. "They travel all the way from the East Bay to eat here," Taheri says.

"It's my favorite restaurant in the world," says Joanne Dal Pra, a credit analyst for Casto Travel. "It's consistently wonderful and delicious. I enjoy going and taking anyone I know."

Taheri recommends customers try a combination kebab. "That way you can try a bit of everything," he explains.

The Afghani House Restaurant is located at 1101 E. El Camino Real. It is open Monday to Friday for lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m., all week for dinner 5:30 to 10 p.m. For more information, call 258-5087.

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