Helmand Kabobi — Restaurant in Baltimore

We visited today for lunch, driving for about an hour to get there. The restaurant was clean, and the staff was both professional and friendly. However, the food didn’t meet my expectations. We ordered Qabuli and kabobs, and when the food arrived, I was surprised. I’ve never had spicy Qabuli palaw with Pakistani seasoning before, and honestly, I didn’t enjoy it. Additionally, the food was served in a bowl with mixed vegetables, which I didn’t like—I’d prefer they ask or serve the vegetables as a side dish. If your restaurant is branded as Afghani, I believe you should serve authentic Afghan dishes with our own spices, staying true to how the food is traditionally prepared. Afghans never add spices or Pakistani food coloring to Qabuli Palaw.

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Char Masala is different from Pakistani seasoning, and Afghan Kabuli Palaw has never been spicy or made with turnip or squash. Traditionally, caramelized sugar is used to give it its rich color, not turmeric. Unfortunately, you used turmeric, which completely changed the flavor. I feel like I wasted my money at your restaurant because the food was awful and not authentic. As a customer, I have the right to provide honest feedback, and I expect better quality. Also, don’t be racist in your response—I am proud to be from Khair Khana or Koti Sangi, and I care about preserving the true taste of...

I liked the premise, it has potential to be good. The server was what brought it down for us. I ordered the kabuli w/boneless chicken and my partner ordered the chicken lawand. The first issue was the menu online was different from the paper menu my partner got, the menu I got was different from both and water stained. We tried to order drinks and the waiter said he didn't know how to make drinks so that meant whatever we got was going to be neat. When I asked for the pomegranate drink he said they were out and only had soda. When he came out with the food there was a discrepancy in what was being served but instead of him clarifying he just kept saying it's what we ordered only the meat is different. The issue was the menu was different or else I would have ordered something else. Then he disappeared into the ether while we waited for our check. The food was ok, was expecting more flavor especially for there to be so much diversity in that area. The spicy sauce was not spicy and barely flavorful. The dark meat in my partners dish was dry meaning they cooked it too long. Then when it came time to pay for the food the server never came back to the table, after waiting for him for over 20 minutes we got up to find someone. The waiter was sitting at the front door on his phone. I had to ask are we supposed to pay here or was the meal comped since the service was that bad. He just handed over an...

Since I only have one bad thing to say, I'll start off with that their food is not extremely fresh or made to order in the sense that it seems a lot of it is pre-cooked, which is how take-out orders are available in about 5 minutes after the order is placed. Onto more positive things. As a vegetarian, I have tried their mushroom lawand, the vegetarian dolma, and I can't remember if I have tried their eggplant & mushroom wrap. All of their food has been excellent each time! As someone who doesn't love eggplant, I am amazed at how much I enjoy their vegetarian dolma. They really bring out the flavors through the use of herbs and spices in each part of the meal, whether the eggplant or turnips are the star of the dish. As a mushroom lover, their mushroom lawand is definitely satisfying. This restaurant has nailed the blend and cooking of spices which elevates their dishes to a mouth-watering level that have you returning for more. One thing to note is their naan bread is definitely not conventional naan that you might expect, but it is good bread in its own way that complements the meals. The yogurt cream sauce and other sauces they provide on the side complement the meals perfectly, so don't miss...