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Afghan Kitchen
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Budget choice
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The doorway to Islington’s Afghan Kitchen is still occasionally blocked by a baffled gaggle of first-timer visitors struggling to take stock of their surroundings. Initial reactions to the skeletal decor range from bemused horror to full-blown ecstasy. ‘Kitchen’ is a far more accurate description than ‘dining room’, both tiny floors embellished with little more than communal wooden tables, and pot plants so gregarious that fronds might need picking from face and food. Make the most of the social benefits of dining elbow-to-elbow with complete strangers, as you’re unlikely to get more than a tired smile from staff on busy weekend evenings. The unchanging menu offers a short selection: four meat and four vegetarian dishes. Ghorm-e sabzi (lamb and spinach stew) is as rich and flavoursome as its Iranian equivalent, despite an absence of dried limes. Lavand-e murgh (chicken in yoghurt) subtly combines creamy coolness with a mild chilli kick. Prices are ridiculously low (the most expensive main is less than twice the price of a thick slab of seeded Afghani bread), and the whole operation is so original and invigorating that it’s hard not to leave feeling satisfied as well as stuffed.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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The fish stew and potato is literally just that. No veg, nothing, and the portions are small. I asked for a side dish to balance it out with, maybe spinach or some other veg, but was given a whole new veggie main meal and charged accordingly! My boyfriend ordered lamb and potatoes and it was exactly that - like a hotpot. No veg. As it was before 7pm they didn't have any bread either. Also, a bottle of beer costs £3.50. Not a good culinary experience!
Fantastic Food. Great Decor. Highly recomended
I went there for a quick lunchtime and bite. Whilst the minimalist decor is pleasingly on the eye, the food was a let-down. Lavand e Murgh went from fridge to microwave and to my plate in a couple of minutes, with resultant hot and cold spots throughout. The taste lacked any depth and did little justice to the complexity of spices that underlay it.The rice was OK, but at £3.50, way overpriced for such a simple unadorned staple. The quality of service was Ok. With a few friends, this could be a fun evening out, provided you could all fit in, but in the highly-competitive quick-stop lunch market, this didn't do it for me. Single-course meal for one, £11 inc service automaticaly added to my bill.
traditional Afghan dishes - truly delicious and cooked with love! :)
I recommend spicy fish stew with potatoes (£6.5)!
Still BY FAR our favourite London restaurant ... after all these years: it's FANTASTIC
I lived close to this restaurant for 6 years and ate there regularly. Warming, hearty afghan food and great value in pricey islington. homecooked fare doesn't suffer from reheating in the tiny kitchen. We now live in North America and we still miss it!
K
Afghan Kitchen was great value for money and had a lovely cafe style ambience. Main dishes are around £6.50. There is very limited seating which makes for a cosy atmosphere for dining with friends. You may wish to book ahead.