Bakhtar Restaurant

Arriving under the same tomato-based lentils, Ashak ($11.99) dumplings, originating from the city of Kabul, are filled with chives, and drizzled with garlic-yoghurt. They taste fresher and greener than mantu, and you can season them yourself with chilli powder and sumac from shakers resting on every table in the small restaurant. While basically furnished, the bright green walls and fiercely modern chandeliers give the room some visual interest, along with three prints of Afghanistan. The central print is of kebabs being grilled over charcoal, and that’s just what you should order here – they’re a specialty of the house. A Mix Kebab Platter ($16.99) gives you the trio – lamb minced on the premises, marinated, juicy chicken and plump lamb tikka – all charred, smoky and nicely lean. They’re presented with their drippings on a piece of Afghan bread, accompanied by washed onions, lightly pickled red cabbage, lettuce, cucumber, and a half ...read more