JEDDAH, 17 July — Jahan is a good Iranian restaurant. It’s one flight up so you can either go up the stairs or use the elevator since they have one. On the outside it looks shabby. I think that it’s decorated rather nicely on the inside though.
When you first enter there’s a glass display of some antique-looking silver. They also have a lot of different Persian carpets laid down. Most of them look pretty and colorful. It’s a bit dark but it suits the atmosphere. It gives you a feeling of olden times. I liked the art work and the small paintings on the walls.
By art work, I mean the lovely pieces of colorful tiles that make up beautiful pictures of hunters and animals. They tend to bring a sense of history to the place.
The table clothes are elegant, but I found the table throws a little too busy, although they definitely add to the Iranian spirit. Luckily, the windows are tinted to keep out the extreme heat. They do have some curtains, which reminded me of some of the Saudi homes I’ve been to.
As for the food, I’d heard lots of praise and I myself liked it the first time I went. Sadly I liked it less this second time around. I ordered a strawberry drink, which was heavy and not at all yummy.
I also had some tasty humus along with some very delicious bread. All I know is that I couldn’t have enough. It had black sesame seeds and was warm, fluffy and buttered to perfection. I also had some lovely Mast Khiar, which is a yogurt and cucumber dish. We ordered some Chelo Kabab Koobbideh, which is lamb meat. It’s fresh and tender and completely mouth-watering. We also ordered Joojeh Kabab Bi-ostokan, which is a chicken kabab. It comes with rice, as the meat dish does, along with French fries.
The chicken had a crispy surface and was marinated in a yellow sauce. The rice was a disappointment for it was dry. It might have been healthier but certainly not tastier. I would have preferred it spicier and with more butter.
For dessert they have Iranian ice-cream, creme caramel and paloodeh. I had paloodeh, which is a well-known Iranian dessert that many people appreciate. It’s Iranian ice-cream sprinkled with pistachio nuts. It has rose water in it and noodles. I am not a paloodeh kind of girl it seems. Besides, I’m sure I’ve tasted better elsewhere. The service was fast. They sell some special Iranian sweets as well. As for the beautiful art, they sell some in case you’re interested.
— Jahan is on Andalus Street in the Tihama Center Bldg. Tel: 657-1015/657-1427.