Cafe Shiraz

As I sit here in my 5-by-7 cubicle, on this disgustingly cold and wet day in Alexandria, Virginia, I smile to myself and think, life's not all that bad.

Why you ask?

Well cause I just had some bomb ass Kabob, that's why.

Growing up as a young Iranian immigrant, I was taught that any problem in the world can be solved with food. Well, good food. Which is actually pretty hard to find around my office. That is, affordable good food. But Cafe Shiraz is one of the few establishments around here that fit the bill.

I was tempted to not write this review because it seems like Cafe Shiraz is an unknown neighborhood gem. But I can't be greedy. This is some legit Persian food. Like Moby Dick but not fast-food, so it's less greasy and you get waiter service. Almost as good as Kabob Bazaar but lacks the decor and warm atmosphere. Cafe Shiraz, for what is it, is well done.

The food is made fresh to order and the service is genuinely caring. They're never crowded, which results is some major customer spoiling. They check on you constantly and thank you when you walk out with coupons. Seriously what's not to love about this place.

They even have a full bar in the restaurant, racked with bar seating and stools and tables on the side of the wall. Along with their regular dining tables, the restaurant accommodates any style of dining.

As you can tell, I'm a big fan of this place. I hope everyone gives it a chance, so it'll succeed and I'll continue to have a happy place to go for lunch. Don't fail me Yelp!

My first time there was for lunch. We got there at 11:33ish and the doors were still locked and I thought darn...we should've met up are Shirlington. Someone finally opened the door (only because one of there workers had showed up for work so they had to open the door). Service was really slow even when we were the only ones there. But when we finally got our pita bread and sauces things were looking up! Pita bread was nice and warm. I ordered the mezze combo and that was really good. Vegetables were fresh.

The only thing I didn't like were the flies around our table. If they spent time the wacking those flies before they opened the doors....

I think some of the bad posts were from friends of the other restaurants in the shopping center because the kabobs at this place were awesome. It's about as authentic as you can get and the koubideh melts in your mouth like real kabobs should. Could probably be a bit more decorative because the walls are bare but that has nothing to do with the food.

Basmati rice takes about 45 minutes to cook correctly Allison H, You fake Yelper and probably employee of Kyoto

Salads are saturated with dressing. Mezze sampler was average at best and the hummus was very bland. Bread is hot but has no flavor. Lamb was good but the plate was piled with rice and only a small piece of roasted onion and tomato.

The atmosphere isnt anything like a Middle Eastern establishment.

And some menu items werent available - only one of three soups and no shrimp.

For $50 for two I could find better eats within 5 miles of this place.

This was our first time here, as it is a relatively new place. Mediterranean/Middle Eastern food is a favorite of mine. The place is very nice; well-decorated, clean and a nice ambiance. The service was very friendly, but very slow, and inattentive. I thought the food (chicken and kabuddeh) was especially well seasoned and the falafel was delicious. The menu looked like a combo came with salad and rice, but it turned out to be one or the other, and we had to order rice after the food came out. Drinks were never refilled, nor was water served. They don't have their ABC license yet, so you can't even order a glass of their namesake.

All in all this place has a lot of potential, but they have to mature first and iron out some service kinks. I'll come back a few more times and adjust my rating as appropriate. I'm crossing my fingers they get as good as they can!

EDIT: We went back again and many of my original complaints have been addressed as they've been in business. The food is still great, and they have booze now! I'd recommend checking it out if you are unfortunate enough to be in Bradlee Shopping Center.

Nice, little Mediterranean eatery in the area. I love their chicken kabob and chickpea salad. Both dishes were reasonably priced and prepared quickly. The restaurant is very clean and has a friendly staff which add to its appeal. The only down side is it's always difficult to see that its open. From the outside, the restaurant looks dark when the restaurant is well lit inside.

How I heard of this place: Seraj. Once it was mentioned. On the walk over, it was tooted as the best Persian food in Arlington.

Type of cuisine: Grilled Persian delicacies, served with saffron-infused long-grain rice.

Ambiance: Set in a strip mall just outside of the Giant grocery store, Shiraz is a calm and unassuming space. The tinted windows at the front, reflecting the light of the sun make it difficult to see the immensity of the rectangular space inside. We entered the warm yellow-orange and salmon-painted space, tiled floors and matching table seating, where music played gently in the background; a space no other patrons had yet discovered at this early dinner hour. One flat screen television, showcasing the 2012 London Olympics, rests above the wine cellar at the far end of the establishment, behind the bar and restaurant seating, just ahead of the kitchen. We request our seats at the podium, and are escorted to the front window, where a small, round table with seating for six rests underneath a Tiffany-replica lampshade coming down from the ceiling. A ceiling fan hisses above as we place our orders.

What I ordered: Seraj decided on the Super Combo ($16.99) with one skewer each of steak, chicken and kubideh kabobs. My husband and I chose to share the Kubideh Kabob ($9.99) with two skewers of ground beef with grated onion, and the Chicken Kabob ($9.99), boneless chicken breast marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, saffron and spices. Each of our dishes was served with saffron basmati rice, half of a grilled tomato, and one quarter of a grilled onion. To start, each of us was also offered a small dish of abundantly minty mastokhiar, a tiny cube of spicy garlic-parsley dip and a basket of warm barbari bread.

On a return visit, Monday, March 18, 2013: We returned with some of our favorite Arlingtonians for a delicious fast-breaking dinner at Cafe Shiraz. On this hungry evening, five of us started with the Mezze Platter ($8.99 each) which included house-made hummus, falafel, dolmeh, tabouli, chickpea salad and Shirazi salad. This, in addition to the fresh, warm Middle Eastern flatbread and homemade cucumber-mint yogurt that automatically arrived at our tables. Of the eight of us dining at Cafe Shiraz, we had two orders for the Salmon Kabob ($13.99) - chunks of salmon marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, saffron and spices, served with a generous helping of saffron-infused Persian rice, a grilled tomato and grilled quarter onion. Two selected the Kubideh Kabob ($9.99) for two skewers of ground beef seasoned with onion and spices, served with Basmati rice, grilled tomatoes and onion. One order of the Chicken Kabob ($9.99) - chicken breast marinated in lemon juice, olive oil, saffron and spices, served with rice, grilled tomato and onion. We had one order for a combination platter including one skewer of kubideh (ground beef) and one of the Steak Kabob - premium beef filet mignon marinated in olive oil, lemon juice, and spices served with rice and grilled vegetables. The last two to join us enjoyed the Chicken Combination Plate with one skewer each of kubideh and chicken kabob served with rice, grilled tomato and onion. A few rounds of darjeeling tea, and one slice of cinnamon-topped cheesecake completed our delectable meals.

On a return visit, Tuesday, April 2, 2013: One of our dear friends invited us to join him for lunch before we departed Arlington and, being just up the road, we suggested Cafe Shiraz. On this occasion, my husband kept to his usual: Koobideh Kabob, with our friend enjoying the Chicken Combination Plate. I decided to sample something new and chose the Salmon Kabob with Greek Salad ($13.99). To start, however, we all enjoyed the Hummus with fresh vegetables (for the gluten-free among us).

What I loved: The mastokhiar, I have to admit, was amazing! Cool, refreshing, and perfect on a summer afternoon, served with hot, fresh barbari. The rice, soft and flaky, the kubideh juicy and moist, the chicken perfectly seasoned and charred on the grill just right.

Why I loved it: Delicious food. Unpretentious setting. Inexpensive, large portions.

Cost: Low to average ($9.99 - $16.99 per dish)

Just went here for lunch. I had been one other time when they first opened but decided to hold my review for a return trip. All in all not too bad. The chicken was moist and the salads were good and flavorful. A little overpowering on the onions. The meat was fresh though and not dry at all. Seasoned well. A few complaints:
1. The saffron rice could be better. Maybe use real saffron? It can be expensive so
This restaurant may be trying to cut corners.
2. Softer pita bread. It was a little stale tasting.
3. Better falafel. A little over fried.
4. Faster service

I went with my Persian girlfriend to Cafe Shiraz for the first time. Ironically, her family is from Shiraz. We thought the kabobs (lamb, beef) were excellent. The yogurt was also very good. Overall, an excellent meal at a reasonable price. Staff were friendly. I would come here again when I am in the neighborhood. The wine list could use a bit of work but I was there for lunch, so wasn't an issue. By the way, you can bring your own and pay a small corkage fee.

My husband and I ate their for the first time yesterday and then decided to eat there again today. Not only that, but I ordered some of the kubideh kabobs to go too. And I am really picky about my kabobs...

Everything was perfectly cooked and was very authentic. The meat was seasoned well and cooked just right --- not overdone as is common with other kabob places. The tzatziki (yogurt/cubumber dip/sauce) was excellent and is homemade. They also have this spicy green sauce (I can't remember what it is called) but it has just the right amount of kick to make it not so overwhelming/nose sweat inducing. The lentil soup (full of lentils, vegetables, and flavor) is kind of pricey as an appetizer, but they give you a huge bowl of it, so it would probably be good as a meal on its own. I was able to share with my husband and still have a little leftover before our food came. We had kubideh kabobs, which is seasoned minced beef (not sure what Kristy R. thought she was going to get, but that's how they are made) and the chicken kabobs. Both great choices. I will definitely have to try to the lamb and the steak...the steak was unavailable when we were there because it was still marinating.

The staff was very polite and welcoming. The owner/manager came by to say hi to us twice and answered my husband's question about the spices used in the dishes. I think it's awesome and evidence of a good establishment when the folks can tell you all about the food....not just what spices they use, but where the spices come from and how they are made.

The prices are about average from other Mediterranean places around, but I am telling you, the quality and the service is MUCH BETTER. We got our food in a decent amount of time - 10-15 minutes - but got some bread (lavash, i think?) and tzatziki while we were waiting . I mean, this isn't fast food people.

We're kind of sad that we discovered this place just now as we're moving a little further away, but we're definitely going to be coming back here as often as we can.

(Also, I recommend dipping the kubideh in the tzatziki...really good)