Persian Basket is my favorite Persian/Iranian restaurant in the Atlanta region. There are other mainstream options (I.e. Rumi's, Delbar), but these are mainstream and as a consequence, Americanized to some extent. Persian Basket offers an authentic experience with authentic flavors and presentation you'd find in metro Tehran.
Food: Probably the most popular, and deservedly so, appetizer is the Kashke Bademjoon. It rivals that of Rumi's and Delbar. Persian Basket's falafel, to my delight, has remained authentically Iranian in its recipe. Other establishments are making Arabian versions of falafel unbeknownst to ATLiens and marketing it as Persian. I've tried many of Persian Basket's entrees: kabobs (chicken, koobideh, soltani, lamb shank), stews (ghorme sabzi, roasted eggplant stew). I've also sampled kabobs all across the US in California, Texas, Chicago, Michigan, Ohio, New York City. Persian Basket is in my top 3 all time in the US for their recipes, in my opinion. I'll drop the mic here.
Beverages: I'll pick the mic back up and say their beverages are diverse in regards to their alcoholic (and non-alcoholic) drinks that are Persian or American in nature. They will custom-make drinks here as well upon early request. My favorite: "sharbat-e-golab" - ask to get it "Homa-style" and make sure to have the seeds included.
Atmosphere: I love their setting because it is intimate with the soft yellow lighting, high wooden ceilings, almost giving it a barn-vibe. But at the same time it has a modern twist to it with large canvases covered with elegant Persian calligraphy and Persian-American art. The chairs are probably the most comfortable restaurant chairs I've sat in in recent memory as they are made from leather, generously-sized, and very well-cushioned. Overall this creates an elegant yet humble atmosphere that would serve well for a romantic date night, or intimate family or group dinner. Would definitely dress smart-casual (at the very least), if not business-casual.
Location: I wish Persian Basket was much closer to the city, but it's a double-edged sword. Though they will probably expand in the future; the current location is situated in Atlanta suburbia, which is especially appropriate as it caters to the Persian population that resides more so outside the Atlanta perimeter. Green foliage surrounds the restaurant, along with an ample-sized parking lot. What I love the most is that there is a adorable quaint Persian market sitting next door to the restaurant that shelves common, and uncommon, Iranian ingredients, along with cute Iranian desserts and novelty gifts that are hard to find in person these days. The restaurant also has a large patio covered with sprawling string lights to create a charming outdoor experience amongst the green foliage.
Presentation: This is one my favorite parts of this restaurant. It is definitely picturesque and a great way to impress your guests, whomever you are dragging along for dinner. Sit back and unbuckle your belt because every sensory input you have will be catered to its fullest potential.
Management: Homa and Farid are the managers here and they are phenomenal. They care about delivering a high-quality tablecloth experience with a side of love. It resonates through the waiting staff as well, as they are on top of their game through emulating these two. When we asked Persian Basket to cater for our wedding, they sat down and made sure every detail was completed to perfection. Their work was flawless, and I wouldn't hesitate to ask them to cater my next event. From the food, the service, the flexibility, the price, the customer service; they are top-tier. Give them the respect they deserve because you will reap the benefits.
Overall: 10/10 experience. I come here often for a reason. This place would thrive as one of the best in the city if it were located in Buckhead/Midtown/Old Fourth Ward. Come here if you want to experience top-tier Persian/Iranian food while being treated with...
Read moreThe Persian Basket came highly recommended to us by someone who lives in John’s Creek. It was okay. Living in the perimeter, we have a lot of really great Persian and Mediterranean options. To be honest, even some of the small, privately owned Mediterranean places that would be considered “takeout” or “fast food” around here are better.
To start, the service was not great. Our server was not very friendly and didn’t really seem like he wanted to be there. Everything took a very long time to come out. Even just our coffee, tea, and beet took a long time.
We ordered an appetizer trio, with three dips for three people. This included hummus, a shallot yogurt, and baba ganoush. They only gave us four small slivers of bread. I had to ask for more, because that is clearly not enough for the entire appetizer and three people. It took almost as long to get the second serving of bread as it did to get the appetizer.
The dips were actually very good. The hummus and yogurt were delicious. The baba ganoush was good, but a little weird. It had pomegranate in it and was a little sweet. It was not a traditional baba ganoush.
The green mint tea I ordered was good. The strange part was that the server only had maybe two or three other tables there, and we only ordered a tea and a coffee, yet he didn’t remember who had ordered the tea. He very much seemed to be not paying attention, or caring, at all.
The other two members of my party ordered the Shish Kabob and the Barg Kabob, which they really enjoyed. They said the meat was flavored well, and the vegetables were quite good. The rice was okay, but not as flavorful as expected.
I ordered the Slow Cooked Lamb Shank. It was not what I expected, which is partially my fault for ordering and not asking. However, the description just said “Slow Cooked Lamb Shank,” then, “saffron, fava beans dill basmati rice.” So, to clarify, the fava beans are in the rice, which is just loaded with dill. I love dill, but it was like a whole dill plant in three servings of rice. The lamb shank was serviced in a bowl of juices and onions with one potato. Maybe the potato was a mistake (?). The lamb was completely flavorless. I felt like I was eating something from the Medieval Times, but that might actually have more flavor for the meat. The rice had actually too much flavor.
Yeah. It was kind of overpriced (we spent around $160 for three meals, and appetizer, 2 beers, 1 codes, and 1 tea) and underwhelming. I can get better, cheaper kabobs, elsewhere. And I really think the kabobs might be the only good thing here.
I am giving them a 3 because the kabobs were good. Aside of that, I...
Read moreA Culinary Jewel: Review of Persian Basket Persian Basket is more than just a restaurant; it’s an absolute culinary jewel that delivers an experience as rich and warm as its saffron-infused flavors. The evening was made truly exceptional by the phenomenal service, particularly from our server, Farid. From the moment we were seated, his genuine warmth and attentiveness were apparent. Farid was knowledgeable, offering perfect recommendations and ensuring our visit was seamless and elevated every course. He anticipated our needs without being intrusive, embodying hospitality at its finest. The star of the evening was undoubtedly the Chicken Barg. This skewered kebab was nothing short of perfection. The meat, marinated in a traditional mixture often including yogurt, onion, and lemon, was incredibly tender with a beautiful char on the edges, speaking to precise cooking over high heat. It was perfectly seasoned and served alongside fluffy, jewel-toned Basmati rice, which glistened with butter and was subtly fragranced with saffron—a true delight in every spoonful. Equally impressive was the side of Roasted Cauliflower, a savory masterpiece. These florets were caramelized until golden-brown, offering a deeply satisfying, almost smoky sweetness that contrasted beautifully with the savory main course. The simple preparation allowed the quality of the vegetable and the kitchen’s mastery over fire to truly shine, resulting in an unexpected depth of flavor. To close, we indulged in two Persian essentials. The aromatic Tea was the perfect comforting ritual—hot, fragrant, and excellent for cleansing the palate and preparing us for the sweet finale: the Saffron Ice Cream (Bastani). This dessert was pure elegance. Rich in flavor, fragrant with rosewater, and providing a delightful textural crunch from scattered pistachios, the ice cream was a delicate, authentic, and memorable capstone to a superb meal. Persian Basket doesn't just serve food; it serves an experience steeped in flavor and executed with exceptional care, thanks in no small part to the outstanding service team. I wholeheartedly recommend it for a truly wonderful...
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