Monday Morning Quarterbacking
This is the place where you get to comment on the restaurant I reviewed yesterday or the review itself.
If you look at the latest Zagat's lists of Best Buys and Other Good Values in this area, you'll find that they are mostly delis, cafes, a crab house, and unassuming ethnic places.
The exceptions are Orchard Market, Peppermill and the Helmand. Of those, it seems to me (although I like both Peppermill and Orchard Market), the Helmand gives you the most in terms of swank for your money. ...
I was struck this time even more than usual that the appetizers are the best part of the meal at the Helmand. Would you agree?
It's odd because that's exactly the opposite of how I feel at, say, Indian restaurants. Now these are broad generalizations, but I'm always happiest at the Helmand if I'm eating something like the vegetarian aushak (ravioli) as my main course, not the lamb stews or kebabs.
(Algerina Perna/Sun photographer)
Comments
The appetizers at Helmand have always been my favorite. Usually, I'll get a kaddo borawni, vegetarian aush, and aushak or mantwo and get plenty of food for about $10 (although I usually end up adding a Turkish coffee and, oftentimes, the Afghan ice cream, which is amazing).
I love that restaurant...
Posted by: Sean | March 31, 2008 10:49 AM
I love the apps at the Helmand - both borawnis are so flavorful and not too filling, and we always share the shornakhod. But I have to say I enjoy their main plates just as well. I almost always choose a special and have never been disappointed.
Posted by: Christie | March 31, 2008 12:11 PM
I've always been delighted with both the appetizers and meals at The Helmand. Along with that, it has atmosphere (that which other restaurants try to buy and make). I think this comes from doing everything right (service is good, food is good, etc).
Posted by: Misha the Veggie Lover | March 31, 2008 12:56 PM
Speaking of Pepper Mill, my wife and I received a gift certificate there from an older woman. While we had a decent meal we later commented to her that the crowd seemed to, shall we say, skew older. She said that her friends referred to it as "Death's Waiting Room."
Posted by: matt hudock | March 31, 2008 1:05 PM
I tell people to go to The Helmand specifically for the baby pumpkin appetizer.
Posted by: dancing monkey | March 31, 2008 7:16 PM
Whenever I go to the Peppermill, I always order the Blue Hair Special.
Posted by: Robert of Cross Keys | March 31, 2008 9:33 PM
Kaddo, kaddo, kaddo borawni. So good. (So certain reviewers are right 99% of the time.)
[To the General Membership of the Sandbox - I read someplace that BaltoMag published Helmand's recipe for kaddo borawni. Does anyone know the issue? I'm willing to buy a back copy from BaltoMag, but I need to know what issue to request. Thanks.]
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | March 31, 2008 9:45 PM
I noticed a few weekends ago, when going up York Road, that the Peppermill had the shad roe banner up. I always smile when I see it since it was grandmother's favorite Spring treat.
Posted by: Rosebud | April 1, 2008 7:28 AM
RTSO: I found out this link through Chowhound and is most likely to be the same recipe published by BaltMag. This is another thread from Chowhound on the subject.
Honestly, I probably might get tomatoes thrown at me for saying this, but when my wife and I went to Helmand we didn't think it was that good for that price. Been to others such as the Maiwand in Columbia and Burtonsville and had better; we just don't see what the fuss was all about. Helmand's coffee, Turkish I think, was something else though.
Posted by: Eric (POG) | April 1, 2008 8:46 AM
Mr. Eric, thanks for the links. The Chowhound was where I read about BaltoMag publishing Helmand's kaddo borawni recipe. The recipe link sounds good and rather like what Helmand's serves. Its a lot closer than several other recipes I previously found.
[Leave it to the General Membership for all sorts of arcane information from Chinese dynasties to tutorials on economics and PDQ Bach instruments. And all in a minimally food related context.]
Posted by: Robert (the Single One) | April 2, 2008 3:06 PM