Shamshiri Grill — Restaurant in Los Angeles

No need for me to add photos as there are plenty of images of the various dishes Shamshiri has to offer. I have been coming to Shamshiri for over 40 years when the location in Hollywood still existed and numerous times in the Valley off of Roscoe and Tampa.

I have been to the Westwood location many times over the years as well. Recently in the past 3 months I have been there three different times and each time the same server Sogol helped me. I am a biracial kid (Black and Persian) with a Persian mother. I speak, read, and write Farsi.

Every time I have went to the Westwood location and Sogol spoke with me, despite my speaking Farsi to her, she would speak English to me, even though to all the other patrons that spoke Farsi whom she would speak Farsi to. It was very demeaning like Black man, I will not speak Farsi to you, that is how my brother and I have experienced it.

Yesterday (7-18-2023) after coming in with my brother and my mother Sogol did the same thing. She would speak Farsi to my mother who was at the same table as me, but then when turning to my brother and I, both of whom speak Farsi fluently, she would speak English to me. I was thinking to myself, what is the deal with this lady. Definitely makes me feel some type of way. Sogol would check on all the other tables multiple times to make sure they were ok, but she did not check on our table, but one time during the hour or so we spent having dinner.

Not only after coming to Shamshiri for over 40 years, since I was a kid, but after spending a significant amount of money for dining there, I would expect a higher level or customer service and regard for the patrons Sogol is interacting with as she engages us at our table. Sogol is not someone whom i'd ever want again serving me. I do not reward bad service and for the first time ever I did not give Sogol a tip, rather the generous tip (which I always am except when I feel disrespected) went to the busser who was more attentive to our table than Sogol was on our most recent visit.

The food at Shamshiri as always is amazing, I just wish Sogol would live up to the same amazing standard. I know Sogol will remember me and I hope she thinks about our interactions. I have nothing against anyone, but when I feel disrespected, I will let it be known because I always treat everyone else with the courtesy and respect...

I called to order and I wanted to come in. The ego is insane. I have come here over 10 times, recommended to all my friends and you lost a customer because the person speaking on the phone with me had a nice big Ego. You lost a loyal customer who spends $300 every visit every month because of your ego. I mean I live in Westwood, it’s down the road. Never thought that I’d be writing a bad review for this place. I felt like it was my home. But I was shocked and people and businesses change. Sad but true. Horrible business practice and be aware guys, I was really shocked. You won’t believe the story.

I asked to get beef koobideh. I was ordering for my father. He wanted to get the koobideh with the specialty rice and split it with regular white rice. The speciality rice is an extra cost and I said no problem, I’ll pay for the full speciality but can you just give me a half portion of the more expensive and half of the cheaper (I’ll still pay for the more expensive), he told me “no, the system doesn’t do that “. I was a bit confused because this is discretionary and they are SAVING money, it is profitable to do this for them since they are getting a full price dish but only giving half - I thought why would this ever be an issue.

He told me no again, and I said “fair enough brother. No worries, to me as a loyal customer I think it’s a bit weird but I understand.. I’ll just get it with-“ and he tells me “ok, bye” and hangs up the phone. I didn’t swear, didn’t cuss and I just gave my opinion in an objective and polite way because I usually love the servers and the restaurant and wanted to not let them lose sales over this. I mean I used to go there every month sometimes twice (before now - now, it’s a never again.)

It’s very sad man. The ego of the person on the phone ruined a sale that I agreed to because he can’t even take feedback in a nice way.

Thanks and good bye Shamshiri.

To all others, food is good and service was really, really bad. Naab cafe is just as good and the people would never do this.

Good luck to their business and I hope they get the ego under control for themselves. I’m out.

It was a nice 2.5 years Ruined in 10 seconds...

ONE DAY HOPEFULLY IN SHIRAZ

What an exquisite meal we enjoyed last week. Starting with the complimentary fresh mint, onion, radish and butter on the freshly baked bread; the stage was set for the main course.

We had the Stew of Lamb. When the plate arrived its appearance presaged the onslaught of happiness our tastebuds would be subjected to. The slow cooked lamb meat was fall-off-the bone soft taking nothing more than slight effort with a spoon to coax it onto the bread. The sauce itself, simple in appearance, belied the complexity of flavors, served with their fresh bread it alone and glass of wine would have been a meal fit for Darius and his courtesans. The sweetness of the sauce-- gleaming with the sheen from the lamb fat and sprinkled with tiny olives -gave it just the right acidity making for a mouthfeel that brought the simple and involuntary acts of chewing and swallowing approximating ecstasy.

(Like a hullucigenic induced flashback-I am reliving the flavors and sensations as I write this. Is that even neurologically possible!?)

The appetizer, the rice, the wine, the dessert were all victims of the lamb shank's stranglehold on the palate. Delicious, I am sure they are on their own, but last night they had no chance. They were but an afterthought. They were razed and destroyed--- like Athens falling to Xerxes.

As in Guatemala (my home country) Iran's stew gastronomy provides much ground to cover. Guatemalan stews have a 50 year (my lifetime) advantage on Iran. So there is no choice; the challenge must be met, the pleasure must be fullfilled. We must return to Shamshiri and finish going through their stew menu one-by-one. From the Ghormeh Sabzi to the Stew of Curry? A twist on a Fesenjan....intriguing. Must inquire. Only enjoying one of these al fresco in a cafe in Shiraz would top the experience...someday.

All the staff was top notch. From our pleasant, informative, and patient Persian waitress (we got the tea: special blend with cardamon at Jordan!) to her diligent support staff and kitchen staff from all corners of beautiful Mexico (Lindo y querido) Gracias and Merci.

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