Saleem Ichan opened his Mediterranean and Middle Eastern restaurant Aashiana last year. In Urdu, "Aashiana" means "nest of birds or peaceful place to live," Ichan said, a fitting description for the little cafe, which attracts a crowd for the lunch buffet, but tends to be quieter and more sedate in the evening.
Aashiana offers an ecletic menu, with specialties from Greece, Lebanon, Pakistan, and India. We ordered dolmas leaves ($3.49), hummus ($2.99) which came with warm pita bread, and for dinner Kufta Balls with Rice ($7.99) chicken meat balls served in a masala sauce with yellow rice, and Kibbah ($7.99), pockets stuffed with ground meat and pine nuts served with tzatziki sauce and yellow rice. The food was good (my companion's kufta was better than my kibbah) but the most notable part of the visit was Ichan's hospitality. The meal felt like an invitation into someone's home, with Ichan bustling back and forth from our table to the kitchen to refill our mugs of spicy tea and check on us. He brought out little plates of savory pickles and Turkish olives for us to enjoy in advance of the meal--it was little touches like these that contributed to the feeling that we were truly guests in his little nest. I recommend the restaurant as a quiet spot to expand your gastronomical horizons or to enjoy a neverending cup of tea. The restaurant also offers great views of Central Avenue.
Located at 31 Central Avenue, Aashiana is not far to travel for a little sanctuary. Go check it out!
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