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Ariana
Category: Restaurants Afghan Afghan [Edit]
129 Brighton Ave(between Linden St & Harvard Ave)
Boston, MA 02134
Neighborhood: Allston/Brighton
(617) 208-8072
- Nearest Transit:
-
Harvard Ave @ Brighton Ave (66)
Brighton Ave @ Harvard Ave (193, 57, 57A, 66)
Brighton Ave @ Linden St (193, 57, 57A)
- Hours:
Mon-Thu, Sun 5 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Attire:
- Casual
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Delivery:
- No
- Take-out:
- Yes
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Alcohol:
- Beer & Wine Only
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy, Intimate
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
146 reviews for Ariana
Review Highlights
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"We also tried the Kaddo which was perfect." In 33 reviews -
"Afghani food may be my new favorite food." In 13 reviews -
"ENTREES: Kofta Challow: I love Challow rice." In 7 reviews
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146 reviews in English
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Review from Theodore Y.
Brighton, MA
3/11/2012
The Kaddo (pan friend baby pumpkin) was amazing. The pumpkin was textured to dissolve, and its sweetness was not overpowering. Superb!
The Banjan (eggplant) was passable but the Mantu (stuffed shells) packed a vegetable and beef combo that was tasteful yet light.
We got a number of entrees but the Dopiaza had to take the prize. The lamb had all the "gamey" taste removed from it and it definitely his the pleasure spot.
O, the bread with cilantro sauce? not too shabbby! -
Review from James O.
Boston, MA
5/9/2012 1 photo
Wow. Talk about impressed. This was my first time eating Afghan food, and I loved it. I had read some good things about this place and its so close to BU's campus I decided last night to try it with a friend. The place is small, simple, but inviting. It was a Tuesday night so it was empty.
Our waiter was very nice, although he didn't seem to know much about the wine selection, but that's okay, he was very pleasant and prompt.
We started with the Mantu Appetizer: We were expecting more of a filled pastry based on the description, but it is more of a beef filled ravioli. Some great flavors and spices here, a nice and light appetizer.
I had the Trout, which was one of the day's special's. It was so perfectly crispy, accompanied by date and walnut rice and some sauteed eggplant. Wow. It was such a great meal.
My friend had the Lamb Challow, which I tried and was also great.
For dessert we had the Sheerekh, a homemade icecream with pistachio and cardamom. Delicious, creamy, and fresh. A perfectly sweet and light way to end dinner.
I'm giving it a four for now only because I have only been here once. But overall, I really want to come back. -
Review from Steph L.
Boston, MA
5/2/2012
Definitely worth the try, but nothing i would go out of my way for. This is a fancier mom and pop sorta shop. The prices are reasonable i guess, portions are on the smaller side. I was interested in afghan for a while, and ariana was the highest rated in the area.
I had no idea what to get, so i asked the server to order for me. I told him i only eat chicken, so he recommended the Challow. It was a mild curry, not much taste but still really good. It didn't have that strong kick like indian curry does. For an appetizer, he recommended these two pan fried pastries. One was filled with scallions and lentils, the other with potatoes. It was surprisingly really goood! I would definitely recommend that.
My boyfriend got the kaddo, which i thought was overly sweet...NOT A FAN
For an entree he got some lamb dish. The entire dish was overly powered by vinegar sauce. It was edible, but definitely gave a sour taste.
We also got complimentary bread with our entrees, which was probably my favorite part. It was served hot with this cilantro sauce and the typical yogurt sauce.
sauces are made from scratch. Rice is cooked to perfection, not hard, not soggy..
The restaurant was rather empty on a Tuesday night though, only one other table the entire time we were there.
Dont be scared to try it, it's different but really good. I thought it was going to be like indian food, but it's more like greek and indian mixed. -
Review from Blake G.
Portsmouth, NH
3/16/2012
I've wanted to try this place for a while, but was disappointed when I finally did.
My appetizer, bowlawni, two large vegetarian savory pies were good, but the vegetarian entry choices were very limited and none sounded interesting to me. The one I ordered, sabzi challow, was nothing like it sounded on the menu and was boring -- three little pies of sauteed veggies.
Perhaps this place is good if you eat meat, but don't go here if you're vegetarian. Sure, there are a few vegetarian options, but they are unimaginative. If you want to eat Afghan food and don't eat meat, go to Helmand. They have a greater variety of choices and they are good.
Addendum: For all those who insist the menus at Ariana and Helmand are the same, it is simply not true. I've eaten at both restaurants and been multiple times to Helmand. I've compared the menus. Helmand has more vegetarian options. What's more, the vegetarian dishes I've eaten at Helmand are tastier and more interesting. -
Review from Jessamyn S.
Winston-Salem, NC
5/23/2012
My friends and I still rhapsodize over a meal we ate at Ariana's almost one year ago. Simply put, our food was DIVINE- my taste buds are still singing about the Aush. Seriously, I am still searching for a North Carolina restaurant that can even slightly compare. The kofta challow and the mantu are both particularly delicious dishes.
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Review from Rosie Z.
Boston, MA
4/16/2012
Delicious food, great price and great ambience.
The meat is cooked perfect and the spices they use complement each other so well -
Review from Priyadarshini V.
Harvard Square, Boston, MA
5/4/2012
4.5 stars and 143 reviews - who wouldn't want to take a chance to try out Afghan food at such a well rated restaurant..but I guess I had too high expectations for the place, and was slightly disappointed. Was busy, as you would expect on a Friday evening, staff were very nice but I felt that the service was pretty slow. Food was good, but nothing I would rave about. Tried the kaddo, banghan , dopiaza and the homemade ice cream. Distinct flavors, you might want to try it once, but that's about it!
The appetizer portions were way too small, I would say this place is a ill too pricey for the quality n quantity of the food. -
Review from Mike M.
Boston, MA
4/20/2012
The food is DELICIOUS!!! If you like Middle-eastern cuisine, you will really enjoy the food here.
We got the Mantu for appetizer which was pretty good. It's a "Homemade pastry shell filled with onions and beef, served on yogurt and topped with carrots, yellow split peas and beef sauce". The yogurt/beef sauce combo is pretty good!
For Entrees I got the Kofta Challow, which was PHENOMENAL! My wife got the Chopan (Rack of Lamb), which was by far the best rack of lamb we've had! It was perfectly seasoned and juicy. -
Review from Alex H.
ALLSTON, MA
4/24/2012
I went here on a Monday evening with a friend. The place was quiet, but not eery. They've done a nice job making the space homey. Our waiter was incredible and polite and attentive.
The food. My Lord, the food. We split the Banjan app., it's simple pan fried eggplant smothered with a yogurt sauce. I could have eaten pounds of it. My friend had the Challow Kofta for her meal, it was spectacular, and their rice is a nice diversion from the typical rice you're served at most restaurants.
I had the Mantu, I love persian dumplings and figured these couldn't be bad. They were incredible. I had to keep myself from licking the plate. They're beef and leek dumplings topped with a veggie yogurt sauce with a little tomato meat sauce to spice things up.
I can't believe I've lived just down the street from this place for nearly a year. The price was great, $25 per person including an app and a caraf of house wine.
I'll be going back. Frequently. -
Review from Annette A.
Brighton, MA
1/14/2012
It's hard to not shake my head at people who insist on going downtown for a good restaurant. Allston's got some MAJOR culinary gems going on - one of them being Ariana.
Everything about this place makes it feel like it's a place you could only find on the waterfront, but we're lucky enough to have it here. I've never had Afghani food before, and this was a fantastic introduction to it. The food is fresh and very flavorful, definitely a very exciting experience for the senses. The staff is very sweet and attentive. And the price is fitting as well.
This place is excellent for a date or a quiet dinner. Go if you're looking for something really delicious but different. -
Review from Joanna H.
Chestnut Hill, MA
The Kaddo, at first taste, kind of sets you off. But eventually you adjust to the sweetness of the pumpkin coupled with the savory ground beef sauce. The pumpkin just dissolves in your mouth and it's so good you can't resist.
Get the Trout Special: Pan fried Filet of trout served with sauteed eggplant and rice seasoned with dates and walnuts. Trout was a considerable size, fried to tender perfection. I finished the plate clean quickly and gladly.
Service is fast and people there are super amiable. I'll be spreading the word. -
Review from Edwin C.
Not going to lie, I was a bit hesitant to try Afghan food, but somehow the gf and I found ourselves here. Started off with a couple of fried pastry things that looked like Jamaican beef patties, only one was filled with scallions and the other with curry potatoes or something like that. Also ordered the Kaddo (pumkin with ground beef and yogurt sauce), a baked piece of pumpkin (way too sweet, but balanced by the beef). It was a good try, but don't think I'd order it again. For entrees the gf ordered the Mourgh Challow, which was sort of like a chicken curry dish, which was surprisingly good with the rice. I messed up and ordered the Dopiaza, which was lamb marinated in vinegar (the overpowering sourness really ruined the dish, probably why you can't taste the gamy lamb). I however still finished my dish, but went next door to Blue Asia and ordered something else to really hit the spot. Portions are on the smaller side, service is good, and definitely worth the try. I'd come again.
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Review from Connie S.
12/21/2011
Afghan restaurant bringing much needed authentic ethnic food to Boston. All the dishes are beautifully presented, the meat is tender, the challow rice (seasoned with cumin seed and baked) deliciously fluffy. Even so, I wasn't completely satisfied... the sauces and curries weren't terribly flavorful, and portion sizes conservative. Maybe my expectations had just been inflated by all the buzz I had heard beforehand.
Still, some solid bets:
- Kaddo appetizer (baked baby pumpkin with garlic yogurt sauce and ground beef)
- Dopiaza (marinated grilled leg of lamb with yellow split peas, onions, and mushrooms on rice)
- Mourgh Challow (chicken breast, yellow split peas, in a yogurt-curry sauce on rice)
Candle lighting makes for a somewhat fancier ambiance, but it's still a pretty bare-bones interior. Service wasn't terribly attentive, but we didn't have to wait. All in all, Ariana's is a decent destination if you're craving a different type of cuisine, but not quite the place it's hyped up to be. -
Review from Greg Y.
Allston, MA
Updated - 1/13/2012
Brought my parents here after a couple of great experiences after my initial review. I have to say, though, that this time around the meal simply did not live up to expectations.
For one, the portions have shrunk by a noticeable amount. The Kaddo (one of the best item on the menu, and still delicious) looked almost 25% smaller than normal. My entree with lamb chunks had a mere 4-5 pieces - not to mention that they was almost no pink in the middle despite being "medium-rare"!
Quite disappointed. I'll probably be back one last time in the future to see whether they pick up the slack.1 Previous Review: Show all »
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11/15/2010
Coerced my buddies to accompany me to Ariana. Heard good things about it and good food is not to be… Read more »
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Review from Michael C.
Boston, MA
For those who have never had it I find Afghani cuisine to be somewhere in between greek and indian food. We came here the day after Christmas, which was nice because it was empty.
Kaddo - The highlight of the meal, which is grilled pumpkin in a yogurt sauce topped with a beef sauce
Kofta Challow - The easiest way to describe this is that it is the Afghani take on spaghetti and meatballs except instead of pasta it is rice. I thought it was good but not great. The tomatoe based sauce was very spiced, it might not have been my style. -
Review from David C.
11/6/2011
I finally got around to trying Ariana the other night, and I'm happy to say it lives up to the hype. My dishes definitely outshone my mother's, but everything we had (including the bread and sauce accompaniments) was lovely. The highlight of the night for me was the kaddo. I'm basically a whore for pumpkin, and this rendering was the tastiest I've had all season. The best part? I can have THIS pumpkin all year round.
Ariana's qabili makes for a delicious (and, for only $14.95, deliciously affordable) main course. It's a great way to introduce yourself to pallow rice, which is the perfect blend of sweet and savory. A generous helping of tender lamb shank and glazed julienne carrots top the dish off just right.
I'm so glad to have finally tried Ariana, and I'm almost certain I'll be back (hopefully sooner rather than later). The only reason I can't give it five stars is the slow service. I'd recommend going on a weeknight as opposed to a Saturday to avoid the crowds.Listed in: The Real "Best of Boston", Best Bread Basket
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Review from Jin Z.
Boston, MA
1/4/2012
I was organizing a dinner get together for a few friends last week and wanted to find something in the Brighton Area. This is my first time trying afgan cuisine and I have to say that I'll be back for more. We were a party of 5 and we got 2 apps to share, the pumpkin one and ground beef wrapped in pasta. As everyone else have already said, the pumpkin dish is amazing, I really love the sauce. The other app that we ordered was also fantastic.
For our main dishes, our group ordered lamb and chicken. I got the lamb dish with spinach and the lamb was so tender.
Service was really great, they took our coats when we first arrived, and was very attentive the entire evening. Will definitely be back! -
Review from Paran Y.
So good I came here 2 times in one week. No joke.
Location. Location. Location. I don't know about you...but some days I just want to eat some ethnic Afgan food, then shoot some 8ball at a good ol' fashion pool hall, and then end the night singing Journey anthems till 3 in the morning. YOU TOO?! Look no further, Ariana is THE place if that sounds amazing. With karaoke and pool halls within 2 blocks of this place, its the perfect place for say....a birthday, with fun stuff to do afterwards?! Yes you understand now.
As for the food, you will not find a place that serves better lamb. Mary's little lambs never tasted so delicious. I also got the Kaddo as recommended, but the pumpkin was a bit too sweet for an appetizer, but still good. Also, this place has Prosecco for a reasonable $21 to get that birthday celebration underways. -
Review from Lisa S.
Brookline, MA
1/2/2012
One of my favorite restaurants in the Allston area! A little pricey bu the food is soooo good!!!
You MUST get the pumpkin. Whether you get it as an appetizer or an entree, just get it. And get the meat sauce. It's amazing. Also, make sure someone gets the leek ravioli. Again, get the meat sauce. The meat sauce is amazing. It tastes good on everything.
OK, away from the meat sauce - the menu is heavy on the lamb but there is definitely food for people who don't eat lamb there (aka me). The chicken kabobs are delicious. The bread they bring out for you is amazing - my favorite of the sauces are the green and the red. The beef cups are also tasty. The wine carafe's are a good deal - don't get it by the bottle, get the carafe. Good value.
Anyway, go to Ariana. It's well worth the visit. -
Review from Elizabeth L.
New York, NY
11/12/2011 1 photo
I've been wanting to go to the Helmand since I was a wee undergrad, but 1) it was too far away from campus, and 2) Seemed impossible to get a table without reservations. Enter Ariana.
This Allston location is practically an identical twin of the Helmand, as they are sister restaurants. Afghan food at its finest.
I knew I was in for a treat from the start: the bread and dippings were absolutely delicious. Fluffy and warm, almost like naan/pita but even better. We ordered the kaddo (pumpkin with meat sauce), which was surprisingly sweet yet savory, and the banjan (eggplant dish) that went perfectly with the pita.
There were two types of rice listed in the glossary, so we decided to get two dishes with each type. We ordered the Qabili (a lamb and raisin dish that comes with pallow, a cinnamon flavored rice), and the korma challow with lamb. The korma challow has challow rice (cumin and cardamon flavored) -- this dish's lamb was better in my opinion, since the qabili's was a little dry, and the lentils were amazing.
An amazing dining experience. Highly recommended. -
Review from Cher K.
Allston, MA
2/21/2012
The food was delicious and interesting. The atmosphere is high class. And the service was both excellent and friendly.
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Review from Laura Y.
Brooklyn, NY
11/7/2011
This was the first restaurant I went to when I was in Boston and boy did it set the bar high! We were about to go into another place that was more popular, since there were more people, but we decided not to crowd and just stuck with Ariana, which was the more exotic and ethnic cuisine. This was my first time trying Afghan food, and it definitely made me want to go back again.
First off, they served pita-ish bread with three different sauces. I liked the green one a lot since it wasn't as spicy as the red one and not too sweet like the yogurt. However, eating the yogurt sauce after eating the red sauce quells the spiciness so there's a magical combo right there. Appetizer: ORDER THE KADDO. It's a sweet pumpkin dish with yogurt sauce on the bottom and ground meat sauce on the top. I don't know who or how they thought of this, but the combination was heavenly! I seriously want some right now. Actually, when we were at the restaurant, we actually ended up using most of the bread for the kaddo sauce than the actual sauces they gave us. It was yummy and just mindblowingly amazing.
I ordered the chopan which was grilled lamb with eggplant and pallow rice. The rice was drier than I would like it to be, but mixed with the sauce with the eggplant, it tasted better. The lamb was great; it was juicy and seasoned well. No complaints there. My friend got the trout, which is just fried fish. I tasted some of it but I liked mine better.
The food was so good that I didn't really care about how the service was. I'm sure it was decent, though, since there really weren't any major complaints. i left full and happy and in a good mood, which is what every restaurant should aim for. -
Review from Danie R.
ALLSTON, MA
10/17/2011 1 Check-in Here
Ariana is REALLY good. We just went for some of the vegetarian entrees, as I ate some edamame raviolis like 4 hours earlier, but just have an entree was the perfect size. They don't overload your plate with American sized portions, which sometimes I love because who doesn't want leftovers?) but it's not ever necessary. Peter got the vegetarian special and I got the aushak. The special is basically a great vegetable sampling that comes with some of the best rice I've ever tasted.. although kinda oily.. but that's probably what makes it good, right? My favorite of the veggies was the pumpkin. Whatever sort of sauce is on it rules. The aushak were these wonderful raviolis (guess I was on a rav kick that day, huh?) filled with scallions and leeks and an interesting and tasty sauce.
Also they give you a bunch of bread and sauces for free to snack on!
Booze notes: Their beer selection sucks.. You gotta get the Anchor Steam. It's their only decent beer. Their house white wine tastes like paint thinner. -
Review from Matthew W.
Flushing, NY
9/3/2011
Don't know how I managed to not review this place after I went there. Or after I went there a second time. Or after I went there a third time... in the same week.
I am rarely one for extreme adjectives. Believe me when I say that the most accurate phrase I can use to describe the experience of eating at Ariana is "flavor orgasm." Were it not for the sheer brilliance that is Fish Market Sushi Bar, Ariana would easily be my favorite restaurant in Allston. Sorry, Kelly's... bronze medal? -
Review from Melissa M.
Round Rock, TX
12/8/2011
I came to Boston on business and had Ariana picked out ahead of time. We went straight from the airport, arriving at 9:30 pm. They gave us no problems about coming in late, near closing time, and the staff was kind and attentive.
I am SO glad we went! The food was really outstanding. We tried the pumpkin and ravioli appetizers. Like everyone else has said, try the pumpkin!! It was so delicious. I am not even sure how it is cooked. It was soft but not mushy, and slightly sweetened. Maybe braised in a sweet broth, and then a touch of yogurt and ground beef on top. I wasn't sure about the combo beforehand, but it really was delicious. My colleagues and I had a veggie dish, lamb korma, and a soup, and we all loved every bite. We also had rice pudding and creme caramel, and they were tasty. The portions are perfect. You can have an appetizer and entree and not be ready to explode.
Prices were very reasonable. Food lives up to the 4.5 stars Ariana has. Service was good. Portions were dead on. What's not to love?! I'm sure I'll be heading back next time I visit! -
Review from Sarah C.
Allston, MA
7/2/2011
My husband and I went to Ariana last night to celebrate our wedding anniversary. We were seated right away by the window which was great for people watching.
The waitstaff was extremely helpful and attentive. We decided on the Dopiaza and the special of the day, which was trout, rice with dates and walnuts, and eggplant. Delicious! It was all amazing. We also got some great flatbread with three different sauces. My favorite was the cilantro/hot pepper sauce while my husband was addicted to the yogurt walnut sauce.
For dessert we shared some ice cream flavored with pistachio and cardamom and each had a turkish coffee. A great end to our meal!
We'll definitely be coming back to
Ariana. -
Review from Kelly A.
7/27/2011
I had a real piece of crap day on Friday, and the mister and I were looking for a restaurant that 1) we wouldn't normally go to (we have a toddler, so we have a rotation of about three usual restaurants these days) and 2) had food that we wouldn't normally eat.
A quick yelp search led me to Ariana, so Allston became our destination.
It wasn't our first time getting Afghani food, but it had been so long since the last time that we didn't really remember what we were missing. Luckily Ariana offered us a clear reminder.
We got there around 6:30, and there was only one other table occupied in the whole place. And then those people left, making it super awkward. I mean, I know 6:30 is kind of early and all, but really? We're the only ones there?
I didn't have a huge appetite that night, so we decided to split the stuffed pastry app (one with leeks and scallions and one with spiced potatoes) and the vegetarian special entree. While they were preparing our food, we were given a lovely spread of flatbread with three delicious sauces.
I also enjoyed a glass of red wine, which happened to be the first alcoholic beverage I've had in months, which is probably why it blew my mind. I doubt it was particularly good wine or anything, but it tasted pretty freaking awesome to me at the time.
The little pastries arrived, and they were delicious. And then the entree came and it, too, was delicious. It had a little bit of everything - pumpkin, okra, rice, eggplant - and the flavors were bold and interesting.
Service was ok. I just wish that there were more patrons there so it wasn't so awkwardly empty the whole time.
We'll definitely return, though probably only on a date night, as I wouldn't feel comfortable bringing a kid there. -
Review from Andrew J.
Brighton, MA
10/11/2011
Truly a wonderful restaurant. Well priced, service was polite and friendly, the place was clean with linen tablecloths and fine dining utensils. However, even with the beautiful atmosphere, the prices are modest and you walk away feeling even better about the experience.
Definitely recommend the baked pumpkin dish available as an appetizer--its a joyride for your tastebuds. -
Review from skimmilk K.
Dedham, MA
9/4/2011
Delicious! I went with a group of friends after looking on Yelp! It wasn't wrong. We started with several appetizers (I think I loved the Mantu-beef dumplings and the Kaddo (pumpkin) the best! They make the Mantu fresh every day so after we figured out how great it was, we couldn't order any more because they had run out for the day!
For our dinner, we had the Qabill (lamb shanks-so tender), Chopan (my friend who doesn't like the gamey taste of lamb actually liked this. It was served medium rare-PERFECT), Kofta Challow (THE BEST SAUCE EVER! I kept eating it over rice) and the Mourgh Challow (Chicken with a yellow sauce-good but not my favorite).
Oh, and they have this super delicious bread and dipping sauces
Overall, I think I liked pretty much everything I ate. The only thing I didn't love was Aushak but that's more because my friends ordered this but I'm not a huge fan of a lot of scallions.
The waitstaff was very attentive and very accomodating. Definitely recommend. -
Review from Bobby C.
6/12/2011
I was looking for a place nearby the Agganis Arena for a quick dinner before an comedy event. We arrived around 6:15PM on a Saturday. The dining area was empty. Not a big deal since I read great reviews about Ariana.
My date and I ordered the Shish Kabob (lamb) and Chapendaz (beef). My date was interested in trying both types of rice. Each dish came with a different one so it worked out well. Service was good. There were 2-3 servers. Our server explained to us the different sauces which was helpful.
If you like to people watch, try to get a table next to the window. Try to avoid the table right before the booth (along the window). There isn't much space so your chairs will be bumping into the other table's chair. Overall, very affordable ethnic food with good atmosphere and service. -
Review from Sandy H.
Brookline, MA
7/14/2011
This is my go-to place when I have guests from out of town and they want to experience something they can't get back home. I usually steer them toward the Special Vegetarian platter with baked pumpkin, pan-fried eggplant, sautéed spinach and okra sautéed with pallow rice or any of the kabobs or the Chopan (rack of lamb)...so pretty much everything on their menu is amazing. The appetizers are yummy and the fresh baked flat bread and sauces are amazing.
You can't go wrong coming here - come here, eat, leave happy. -
Review from Christopher P.
Fairfax, VA
1/2/2012
I have never had Afghan cuisine before, and I have to say that I am going back. The ambiance was nice, romantic, and perfect for a date. The service was timely and attentive. The food was great! I am sorry I am not writing a long review, but this restaurant deserves sigh of ecstasy and a cigarette. Try it for yourself!
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Review from KW L.
Louisville, KY
7/10/2011
Maybe I'm just not getting it...the food here was alright but I just don't get what all the hype is about. The service was ok as we were seated right away and the waitress came around on occasion to check up on us.
They bring out flatbread with three different sauces, which were good. Our group had the Trout, Kofta Challow, Chapendaz, and the Banjan&Kaddo Challow. Everyone thought was food was good, but not great. In fact, I thought the Chapendaz was somewhat bland which is not necessarily what I expect from Afghani food.
Overall it was ok, but I'm not sure I would choose to dine here again. I feel like I can get Afghani food that tastes similar if not better for much cheaper elsewhere, just without the classier atmosphere. -
Review from Leilani J.
Boston, MA
3/22/2011
YUM!!! Sometimes it takes a lot to mobilize my partner and I to get outside of Boston proper /Cambridge (Central Sq) but oh-my-goodness-this-is-worth-it.
Arrived at about 6:30 on a Saturday eve and the two of us were seated right away. Looks like seating for 2 is easy, larger parties may want to get a resi.
Loving Helmund, we were excited to try Ariana and boy did it not disappoint! Two entrees, an appetizer, salad and a carafe of wine came out to less than $50. Amazing. And our waiter was fantastic to boot.
Totally worth the trip out of downtown. Can't wait to do it again! -
Review from P. C.
Waltham, MA
4/28/2012
I had read about Ariana on yelp, and was very interested to try something new. Keep in mind, I've never tried Afghan food, nor do I know anything about it-- that being said, the food was delicious. The menu isn't overly creative-- it's more run of the mill flavors executed perfectly. The Kaddo has been mentioned in dozens of reviews and for good reason-- it's a fantastic appetizer. It's pumpkin pan fried with a yogurt sauce, a meat sauce and topped with cinnamon. We also tried the Mantu, which are pastry shells stuffed beef and topped with a yogurt sauce and meat sauce. It looks similar to a dumpling or a rangoon you might find at a chinese restaurant, but thats about where the comparison ends-- the mix of cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg gives it a very unique and delicious flavor. For entrees we tried the Shish Kabob (charred pieces of lamb over rice with eggplant) and Sabzi Challow (sauteed spinach and lamb over challow rice and veggies)-- both were excellent. The menu includes a variety of dishes, and alternative vegetarian versions of them, so there should be something for every taste. If you enjoy lamb, this is a great place to go-- if you don't, try something vegetarian, since the menu is lamb heavy. The service and hours are good-- the only downside is parking. It's located on Brighton Ave, so there's only street parking. Keep in mind, the surrounding side streets are resident permit parking only, so you may have to get creative. On a Friday or Saturday night, this has the potential to be a problem, so plan accordingly. If you're looking for good Afghan food, or you just want to try something different, this is definitely worth checking out.
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Review from Eve S.
5/23/2011
This place was delicious! Everything I tasted was phenomenal. Having never had Afghani food, I was impressed all-around. The pumpkin was especially, er, special.
Do try! -
Review from Kerri Y.
3/27/2011
If anything I am writing up this place for the great service and the wonderful waitresses; they were so sweet! They took our coats at the door and sat us in a nice seat by the window, recommended food and wine- which were all fantastic and arrived fairly quick We were there a bit after they closed (10pm on a Thursday), but we did not feel rushed at all.
The food was really good. I had never had Afghani food before: it reminds me a bit of Indian food- lots of yummy spices. I was pleasantly surprised at the price: for an appetizer (Kaddo), 2 dishes, dessert (bucklawa ) AND a bottle of wine, it was $65!
Super service. Tasty food. Great Atmosphere. Cheap bill?? I'm sold. -
Review from Carmen M.
Mystic, CT
10/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
Yummy! a wonderful place that has gluten free options and great wine! highly recommended!
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Review from Ben L.
Medford, MA
1/10/2011
My girlfriend and I went here for a later dinner, around 8pm on Sunday. When we walked in the first comment we got from a server rushing past us was "Can you just wait a few minutes?" She didn't even wait for an answer as she ran to give a check to a table. It was clear they were severely understaffed, she was the only server visible and no host or manager. There were several tables open, including a nice one by the window we would have really liked, alas only few of them were cleared (in fact, that specific table would remain uncleared till about halfway through our own meal.)
We were seated after about 10 minutes of being ignored, and even then we did not receive any welcomes, water, or anything. We had to wait over 15 minutes for our order to be taken and to receive any water. After we were served our meal the only time our server appeared was to ask if we were finished with our meal. The service was just horrible.
I understand that the server was busy, but I believe that this shows an serious managing fault. The food was delicious, but the entire evening was marred by some of the most horrible service I've ever received, hence the 3 stars.
I'd consider going back, but if I walk in and see that the situation has not changed I would just turn around and leave. -
Review from Fred Y.
Boston, MA
12/19/2011
Not only was the food good, the service is excellent at Ariana. I would recommend this place to anyone. I hope to take out-of-town visitors to Ariana in the future. The prices are reasonable when you consider the quality of the trout special I ordered.
