shah abbas

If you live in the area and like Persian food, you can't really go wrong at Shah Abbas. Everything from the salads and grilled meats to the stews and rice, is perfect. Huge portions, reasonable prices, pleasant service and, best yet, fast free delivery.

We've been eating here for years and the quality of the food and service has never let us down. Some faves include the sultani combo (perfectly seasoned and grilled filet mignon kebab with a couple of other meat specialties), the fesenjoon (traditional pomegranate and walnut stew with chicken), and the albaloo polo (lamb shank with sour cherry saffron rice). The tadeeg (sheets of crispy, buttery rice from the bottom of the pan, a Persian specialty) is served with stews of your choice for dipping. At a very reasonable $5.95, this is a must-have starter you can make a meal out of, just be sure to order your stews on the side so the rice doesn't get soggy en route.

The restaurant is perched atop a second story corner, in an unremarkable mini-mall on San Vicente and La Cienega. If you're dining in, be forewarned that the large, ornate (read, toeing the line of bad taste) decorated space - complete with clover shaped tile fountain centerpiece, dance floor and disco lighting - may be deceptively calm weeknights, but come the weekend, it leads a double life as a Persian nightclub. Dinner often comes with a bellydancer in your lap and deafeningly loud music, so if you're in the mood to quietly enjoy your meal, be sure to order in!

400 S San Vicente Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90048
(310) 659-3242