Babani's — Restaurant in Saint Paul

My first trip was at lunch yesterday on a typical freezing cold Minnesota winter afternoon. The restaurant was cozy with tables intimately arranged, but not crowded. The furnishings were well-tended and the interior decorating was just enough to give a hint of the Kurdish culture without being overwhelming or intimidating.

The service was friendly and felt like my brother was waiting on me to order from his own kitchen. The twinkle in his eye hinting that he knew I was about to be surprised and delighted at what would come from his kitchen. Pride, delight, quiet confidence, and the comfort that comes from sitting at a relative's home for a great meal was my first impression.

But the food! I can't believe I've been living under a rock for so long. The Tabouli was not overwhelmed by spices as I've so often experienced on my bland-acquainted Minnesotan palate. Instead, it was earth-shatteringly enjoyable. The Jaajic was a cool combination of dill, garlic and yogurt that was simple enough to allow each flavor its full expression. The Silopi salad was an exploration of the farmer's market in full summer splendor.

The Baklava was warm, sweet, flaky; perfect. Someone got it PERFECT! As if my WASP upbringing would know- but...it really was PERFECT!

But, the Dowjic is to die for...simple, tart, not overwhelming, perfect on a dang cold day- perfect for convalescing with a head cold, perfect late night snack...I should have taken home a stock pot of that soup. I want it for breakfast! The warm bread I used to sop it up was porous- but not rough, and the entire bread/soup combination felt like a warm hug from mom, curled up in her arms- a moment one only releases to find satisfaction in the return to it. And return, again and again, I will!

If you're debating a visit to Babani's- allow me to help you decide. Are you looking for a McChain restaurant with familiar over-processed unexceptional "food stuffs"? Well, I didn't write this review for this type of person anyway.

Are you up for a delicious, cozy, friendly taste adventure with the intimate feeling of a family gathering and a comfortably full belly while your head delights in flavor...

Quick Summary: 10/10 - Will definitely return for more! Lots of fantastic flavors, high quality ingredients, explosive flavors, reasonable prices, huge portions (come hungry!!) and friendly staff.

Review: This past weekend a friend and I decided to try Babani's Kurdish Restaurant. Neither of us had ate there and we were curious. We got the "Kubay Sawar" and "Chicken Tawa" dishes from the lunch menu.

(If not familiar with the Middle East, Kurdish people are from the regions of what is modern day Northern Iraq, Eastern Turkey, and Western Iran. They are have been persecuted by all three countries as they strive to have even an autonomous region to call their own, even without achieving full independence. The Kurds have lived in those regions of the Middle East longer than the modern nation states now there have existed, and are analogues to the Native American's of the US/Canada.)

Both dishes were excellent. The Chicken Tawa was truly cooked so tender the meat was falling off the bone, and the potato's were the most flavorful potato's I've ever had in my life anywhere. The lemon juice the potatos are cooked in make them pop with flavor! Speaking of flavor, the Kubay Sawar dish (basically Kurdish empanadas/pasties) were incredibly delicious, bursting with a mix of delicious middle eastern spices (flavor spices, not burning-heat/mouth-on-fire spices, to be clear.). I don't know what spices they use, I just know I want to eat more of those Kubay Sawar's especially!!

We both shared and tried each other's dishes, and agreed we found a new place to continue to visit and get food from.

Final Score: 10/10 Highly Recommend. Definitely will return for more fantastic Kurdish/Middle Eastern food! Thank...

I have been there four times. 1st time was few months ago, the food was good and service was great, and I liked the environment as well.

Unfortunately, the past three times have been disappointing.

The owner lady showed us a mean attitude, we tried to not take it personally, gave her tips and just assume they are busy, but it was not the case.

I am not asking extra chitchat or smiley face all the time, but a quality of a sit down restaurant is both in food and service. I was raised in Middle Eastern household and don't need to pay to see a mean passive aggressive auntie that feeds me leftovers.

Last time we went there, restaurant was empty and still she asked impatiently and with an upset face that what do you want, with the eye contact and everything it just looked mean. I felt like she doesn't want us there. Didn't ask if we liked anything and at the end gave herself a 20% tip too.

All four times their bathroom has been very dirty and unsanitary. Biryani is not authentic and is full of green peas. Chicken kebabs taste sour. Dowjic is the only good thing they've got, but I will just watch YouTube to make it myself.

I will never eat...