A Great Definiton of a Mid-Level Restaurant-The Helmand
Posted on Mon, Apr 06, 2009 @ 06:58 PM
Just got home and decided to crank up some Peter Bruntnell while I update my blog and get started with the topic at hand. I am sure you are begging the question, What is a mid-level restaurant? and Why are you picking mid-level restaurants? Boston has so many great, overhyped, overpriced and overpublicized restaurants, why not go there? Well, last time I checked we are in a recession and most do not have the discretionary income to eat out at Rialto every night.
In talking with a co-worker today, I gave him an overview of the idea behind my blog and gave him my best pitch on why The Helmand in Cambridge, (almost Boston) is a great example of a mid-level, moderately priced restaurant. Of course, he bought it.
So here goes. The Helmand, http://www.helmandrestaurantcambridge.com/
Great atmosphere, decent service, great food and most important, unreal value. I was introduced to The Helmand by a friend and former co-worker who actually helped inspire the idea behind this website and blog. So thank you Dmitry for your inspiration and for making me the 2nd pickiest food critic in Boston proper.
The experience at the Helmand begins the minute you pick up the phone to call and make a reservation. Not only are they hard to come by, but you might be greeted with what I like to call the "reservation nazi", inspired by the soup nazi on Seinfeld. Once you get past her, here is how your experience into the Afghan world will go.....
You will be sat in a very comfortable, homey feeling dining room, very similar to what you might find in some of the larger victorian houses around boston. There is although one exception, clay ovens.
Bread will soon arrive fresh from the ovens and will be accompanied by the best dipping sauce you have ever tasted. There are actually three of them, but the green one is all you need to worry about. It will change your life.
Upon first glance of the menu you might be a bit confused as you have probably not heard of many of the dishes. Keep in mind that the food is in some ways very similiar to Indian food and that if you have ordered Indian food, you will be able to survive. If you get confused, take a minute to check out the value priced wine menu. May I suggest one of my favorite Pinot Noir's, try the La Crema from Sonoma. I think they have it on the menu for just under $30 which is a great deal considering it costs $20+ in most wine stores.
First step, order the Kaddo. It is unreal and like nothing you have ever tasted, unless of course you eat pumpkin with yogurt and meat sauce around Halloween.
Secondly, I would recommend any of the lamb dishes as that is really their specialty. If you don't like lamb, then go with either the Mourgh Salata or Mourgh Kabab.
Ok, I will shut up now and let you enjoy your dinner. Don't forget to tip the waiter or waitress and remember to walk out with a smile on your face as you just had a memorable meal for just under $100!
Just don't tell the "reservation nazi" I sent you ;)
Enjoy,
Brian