It’s no secret that Downtown Evanston boasts a myriad of cuisines minutes away from Northwestern campus, ranging from Nepali to Venezuelan. However, those who are craving Afghan food have a longer trek to make.
Kabul House, located on Dempster Street near Evanston’s western border, is well worth the two-mile trip from campus. Though it calls for a splurge, the food and hospitality are perfect for the occasional celebration.
The interior is a sleek, modern take on Afghan design without feeling sterile or corporate. If anything, the friendly staff helped the restaurant live up to its name by making our meal feel more homely than commercial.
Kabul House is best visited with a few friends and an empty stomach — given the price, I recommend eating family-style, splitting entrees and expenses.
The large date salad ($13.95) was a fantastic start to dinner. The romaine and mixed greens were fresh and crunchy, the raisins enhanced the salad despite being a somewhat unusual ingredient, and the gorgonzola was the right amount of bitter. Additionally, the pomegranate vinaigrette had a bold, vibrant flavor that added to the flavor without distracting from the salad.
The chicken kabob skewer ($10.95) was, without a doubt, the highlight of the meal. It was delightfully crispy on the outside, but tender on the inside. The sauce provided a slight zing without being excessive.
On the other hand, the filet mignon shish skewer ($17.95) wasn’t exceptional despite costing more. It wasn’t ridiculously bland, but it lacked flavor in comparison to the rest of the meal.
The shrimp kabob ($21.95) was served with rice, a grilled tomato and a grilled pepper, and it proved to be some of the best seafood I’ve eaten as of late. The shrimp was massive and so fresh that it was almost crunchy, and I’d rank it second among all the dishes.
The last entree we ordered was the kabuli palau ($22.95), which fell short compared to the other dishes. The meat wasn’t very flavorful, and the portion size was a bit small, but the Afghan rice it was served with was fantastic.
The rice, which came with both the shrimp kabob and kabuli palau, was another perk. I was initially skeptical of the cooked carrots and raisins incorporated in the bowls, but I was shocked at how well they worked. Even the rice itself was surprisingly sweet, serving as a unique base for the savory entrees.
The meal also included complimentary naan bread. The naan was a bit dry, but it was great for dipping in the accompanying sauces. The spicy tomato chutney was fiery and a little sweet, whereas the cilantro chutney was more savory. Both paired well with the naan, shrimp and chicken.
Lastly, we finished with a selection of desserts. The pistachio baklava ($5.95) was intensely sweet, which, to me, is nothing but a positive. It was fluffy, crispy, and all of the components worked together to create a memorable dessert.
The chocolate mousse cake ($8.95) was an explosion of flavor and a sweet exclamation point to the show-stopping meal.
Kabul House is worth the distance and money, though I would recommend reserving it for a special occasion. It has placed Afghan cuisine on Evanston’s map (even if on the edge), and deserves more recognition for its food and hospitality.
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