Written By: Lindsay Grohs
This past weekend I traveled to Miami, Florida. Miami has many culinary hot spots; some are popular staple restaurants and others are hidden gems. During my trip, I was introduced to a hidden gem called Shahs of Kabob. Shahs of Kabob is a Persian cuisine restaurant located on the outskirts of Miami in a town called Coral Gables. Their menu highlights several different dishes, such as wraps, stews, plates featuring meat, bread, rice, salad, and obviously, a variety of kabobs.
Walking in, I was immediately hit with the cozy essence of the restaurant. It was small but homey. The walls were decorated with uplifting quotes and a few diverse art pieces. The seating arrangement was also very comfy, as they had tables lined in rows, with the ones near the walls having couches as seats on the side nearest to the wall. The service was excellent, to say the least. There was minimal interaction because you are instructed to place your order at a kiosk up front, and they then bring your order to your table. However, the interactions I did have were pleasant and warm. The staff was kind, and it was evident that they cared about their customers' needs.
My friend and I ordered a large plate and a wrap to share. The large plate consisted of two skewers of mixed beef and lamb and half rice/half salad. The salad mix consisted of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cranberries, walnuts, and goat cheese, served with a lemony vinaigrette. The wrap was called the “Joojeh” wrap, consisting of chicken, tomatoes, lettuce, onions, and cucumber wrapped in lavash bread. The food came out hot and fresh. You could tell the meat had come right from the grill. The first thing I tasted was the Joojeh wrap. After tasting the wrap, I felt that something was missing, such as a sauce, spice, or cheese. Eventually, I ruled that a tahini sauce would have pulled the dish together. That being said, the wrap was still delicious, but it would have rated higher on my list if it had a special “wow” factor.
Now onto the plate. The presentation of the plate was beautiful! It had a pretty spread of colors, from the variety of vibrance in the salad to the white and yellow of the rice and the brown of the meat. The first item I tried on the plate was the mix of lamb and beef. My tastebuds immediately lit up after trying the meat combination. I tasted the lamb first and then the beef aftertaste. It was all pulled together with a seasoning that was out of this world (and that they wouldn’t give me the recipe for). Plus, the texture was the perfect ratio of soft to chewy. Overall, it was one of the best meat dishes I have ever tasted.
The next thing I tried was the rice. The rice was a mix of white and yellow basmati rice. I enjoyed the combination as they paired nicely together in taste and texture. Overall, the rice portion elevated the entire plate. The rice was fluffy and had a light, nutty flavor to it. Lastly, I tried the salad. All the elements of the salad paired beautifully together to provide a summery, sweet flavor. The cheese pulled it all together with powerful, tangy, sharp notes of flavor.
After finishing our meal, I asked the waiter about the beef and lamb recipe and what they had used to season the meat. The waiter kindly denied giving out any information and said it was their “secret recipe." Although disappointed, I completely understood. It was too good to give out to customers. They’d have to dine themselves if they wanted to experience the magic of that meat.
So, if you are ever in the Miami, Coral Gables area, I highly recommend paying a visit to Shahs of Kabob. This restaurant will not only give you a meal, but an entire experience. The welcoming atmosphere and authentic vibe made it an unforgettable dining experience. I will surely be visiting again!
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