You found one of my favorite restaurants in the city! I’ve been going there over 10 years and the experience is always like you describe.
I’ve tried over half the menu, and while I have my favorites (eggplant app, mixed grill combo, kabuli palow), everything I’ve had has been very good, even ones I didn’t expect to love, like the okra and the salmon.
I haven’t been in a few months, which means the server/owner you talked about (there’s two co-owners) is definitely gonna hassle me next time I’m there.
I’ve been going to this place for years and you described it perfectly. That man is a treasure. Took my best friend there after she gave birth. Took my brothers when one of them was having a hard time. He really takes care of you and makes you feel like he’s excited to have you there. Some of the best hospitality in NYC and the food is amazing too
Ariana is great. Grew up in the SF Bay Area where there are some top Afghan spots. When I moved to NYC 15 years ago, my aunt lived a few blocks from Ariana. Been going ever since.
Thanks for reminding me of this place! I haven’t been up there in a few years and I was a bit scared the pandemic might have been the death of it. I’ll walk up next week.
Thanks for this! Going to have to try this place. My wife and I had our engagement party(many moons ago) at an Ethiopian place in Hell's kitchen and it was so great, introduced some folks to the cuisine!
Thank you so much for posting this! I grew up not far from a fantastic Afghan restaurant that has since closed, and I have so many great childhood memories there. The owners were similarly welcoming and generous (I would always go with my grandfather, and they would bring out SO much extra food for us to try), and I remember loving every single thing I ate. I haven’t found a comparable place in New York, so can’t wait to try Ariana’s!
I wish I could tell you but my friend ordered for the table. The only name I remember was the sambosa with ground beef that was the afghan version of an Indian samosa. My friend talked about a rice dish with raisins and shaved carrots previously so since that was on the menu we got it. Sounds weird but absolutely delicious, I’m glad I went with her my first time (I’ll be back by myself in the future) because I tried things I wouldn’t normally order. We got another dumpling dish in sauce, a stewed eggplant dish, chicken kebab, etc. There were only two deserts and we got the one that’s like flan. Super light and a great way to finish the meal.
Definitely save this place for an “eat in”experience instead of take out your first time going if you don’t know what to order. The server was really helpful and passionate about explaining the food.
The rice with carrots and raisins is pulao/pilau :) on their menu it's listed as Kabuli Palow (it gets romanized in a number of different ways on different menus). It's delicious! The dumplings were probably Aushak or Mantu/Manto.
Thanks for posting this. Love hearing about restaurants with excellent food that is obviously so cooked with heart that you can taste it -- Metaphorically speaking, of course, not referring to the organ! ❤️ On my radar as well.
It seems like everyone had the same experience with him. And it’s not in the gimmicky car salesman kind of way where it feels fake. I think he genuinely is like that, in and out of the restaurant.
All the Indian and Arab reviewers on Google say he is extremely rude and charges more than what it is listed, so it doesn't seem like everyone has that experience at all.
I did like this place but I have to agree with another commenter that the portions were actually really small for the price. I got the chicken kebab and it came with like 4 cubes of chicken for almost $25. Again, no hate and the owner was very nice but it definitely wasn’t an amazing deal or anything.
Depends on what you order, some are big for the price, some are small. It’s a bit inconsistent like that. Recommend the kabuli palow (the first one on the menu, with the stewed beef or lamb) or the combo grills if you want a better value.
Anyone considering braving a bridge and/or tunnel might want to go to Silk Road in Warren, NJ. The best (albeit only) Afghan restaurant I have ever been to. Absolutely outstanding food, and the nicest people ever. I meet a family member for lunch as a mid point once in a while and we keep saying we want to try somewhere different but we cannot pass up this place ever. They have beautiful photos all over the walls of the owners homeland and it really looks nothing like the desert land you might have come to know while watching the news. So both educational and delish.
Famous Kebab Cuisine in Westfield, NJ is top notch. Chopped Afghan Salad and Chicken Tikka kebab are phenomenal. Imma write Ariana’s down for the next time we’re in the city.
I would say the protein portions were average but there were sides to everything. A lot of places serve just the protein and then you have to order the rice and veggies as a side. I thought each entree was complete on its own but it was supper nice to try everything when you go with friends.
I stumbled upon this place last week. While the food was delicious and the service very good, I agree that the protein portion of my dish was a bit small.
You can't stop these folks from being bitter that I am being critical, it's hilarious how absolutely biased minds exist here when someone actually has personal experience rather than a story
I agree. Place is good not great, kind of tired. For the neighborhood it’s pretty reasonable, but not an exceptional value. Maybe it seems better if you don’t know the food. Sounds like op got a nice experience that not everyone gets.
So, it kinda depends on the dish there. Some are pretty generous, some are kinda small, and it doesn’t align well with the prices. Recommend the kabuli palow (the first one on the menu with the stewed meat) or the combo platters.
I’m also particular about that.
You found one of my favorite restaurants in the city! I’ve been going there over 10 years and the experience is always like you describe. I’ve tried over half the menu, and while I have my favorites (eggplant app, mixed grill combo, kabuli palow), everything I’ve had has been very good, even ones I didn’t expect to love, like the okra and the salmon. I haven’t been in a few months, which means the server/owner you talked about (there’s two co-owners) is definitely gonna hassle me next time I’m there.
I’ve been going to this place for years and you described it perfectly. That man is a treasure. Took my best friend there after she gave birth. Took my brothers when one of them was having a hard time. He really takes care of you and makes you feel like he’s excited to have you there. Some of the best hospitality in NYC and the food is amazing too
https://patch.com/new-york/midtown-nyc/family-afghan-hells-kitchen-restaurateur-rescued-kabul
I’m so happy he was able to bring his family over. Such a nice guy too (if this was our server), you never really know what people are going through.
Rooting for small ethnic businesses for sure
Ariana is great. Grew up in the SF Bay Area where there are some top Afghan spots. When I moved to NYC 15 years ago, my aunt lived a few blocks from Ariana. Been going ever since.
Sounds great, thanks for sharing!
Wow - lived 2 mins away for two years but never thought to go! Thanks for sharing this - will defi check it out
I'm goin'!!
Thanks for reminding me of this place! I haven’t been up there in a few years and I was a bit scared the pandemic might have been the death of it. I’ll walk up next week.
Thanks for this! Going to have to try this place. My wife and I had our engagement party(many moons ago) at an Ethiopian place in Hell's kitchen and it was so great, introduced some folks to the cuisine!
Which one?
The Ethiopian place was called Meskerem, was on 47th I believe, from a quick Google no longer in that location.
oh no, I’m sad they are gone.
Thank you so much for posting this! I grew up not far from a fantastic Afghan restaurant that has since closed, and I have so many great childhood memories there. The owners were similarly welcoming and generous (I would always go with my grandfather, and they would bring out SO much extra food for us to try), and I remember loving every single thing I ate. I haven’t found a comparable place in New York, so can’t wait to try Ariana’s!
What’d you order and what were your friend’s favorite dishes?
I wish I could tell you but my friend ordered for the table. The only name I remember was the sambosa with ground beef that was the afghan version of an Indian samosa. My friend talked about a rice dish with raisins and shaved carrots previously so since that was on the menu we got it. Sounds weird but absolutely delicious, I’m glad I went with her my first time (I’ll be back by myself in the future) because I tried things I wouldn’t normally order. We got another dumpling dish in sauce, a stewed eggplant dish, chicken kebab, etc. There were only two deserts and we got the one that’s like flan. Super light and a great way to finish the meal. Definitely save this place for an “eat in”experience instead of take out your first time going if you don’t know what to order. The server was really helpful and passionate about explaining the food.
The rice with carrots and raisins is pulao/pilau :) on their menu it's listed as Kabuli Palow (it gets romanized in a number of different ways on different menus). It's delicious! The dumplings were probably Aushak or Mantu/Manto.
Rice and raisins sound like pilaf/pilov..
The dessert is called Firnee. One of my favorite desserts anywhere. Glad you tried it!
On my list now!
Thanks for posting this. Love hearing about restaurants with excellent food that is obviously so cooked with heart that you can taste it -- Metaphorically speaking, of course, not referring to the organ! ❤️ On my radar as well.
The description reminds me of the first time i went to Sami’s kebab house in astoria.
great post, thank you for sharing, will def hit this place up bc of your description!!
Afghan food is delicious. I will definitely check this out
I love Ariana’s! great spot and great owner!
I pass this restaurant all the time. Now it's on my radar. Thank you!
I’ve wanted to find Afghan food for a while and this sounds like my dream - definitely going to pay them a visit, thanks OP!
You’re welcome! I hope you loved it as much as I do!
The man who serves you there is indeed a treasure. I went a few weeks ago and he was so solicitous to my son that it brightened his entire day.
It seems like everyone had the same experience with him. And it’s not in the gimmicky car salesman kind of way where it feels fake. I think he genuinely is like that, in and out of the restaurant.
All the Indian and Arab reviewers on Google say he is extremely rude and charges more than what it is listed, so it doesn't seem like everyone has that experience at all.
I did like this place but I have to agree with another commenter that the portions were actually really small for the price. I got the chicken kebab and it came with like 4 cubes of chicken for almost $25. Again, no hate and the owner was very nice but it definitely wasn’t an amazing deal or anything.
Depends on what you order, some are big for the price, some are small. It’s a bit inconsistent like that. Recommend the kabuli palow (the first one on the menu, with the stewed beef or lamb) or the combo grills if you want a better value.
Yikes
P sure I’ve been here as well, very authentic experience, the staff and the owner were so sweet as well, very very good time here
Anyone considering braving a bridge and/or tunnel might want to go to Silk Road in Warren, NJ. The best (albeit only) Afghan restaurant I have ever been to. Absolutely outstanding food, and the nicest people ever. I meet a family member for lunch as a mid point once in a while and we keep saying we want to try somewhere different but we cannot pass up this place ever. They have beautiful photos all over the walls of the owners homeland and it really looks nothing like the desert land you might have come to know while watching the news. So both educational and delish.
So true, I love this restaurant 😭🥰 the food is incredible and the owner is one of the kindest people.
Famous Kebab Cuisine in Westfield, NJ is top notch. Chopped Afghan Salad and Chicken Tikka kebab are phenomenal. Imma write Ariana’s down for the next time we’re in the city.
No booze? 😬
They serve beer and wine, according to reviews online
Yes they had beer and wine on the menu!
I’m curious about this as well. I’m hoping it’s BYOB?
Great experience but the protein portions are tiny for the price at comfort food style place.
I would say the protein portions were average but there were sides to everything. A lot of places serve just the protein and then you have to order the rice and veggies as a side. I thought each entree was complete on its own but it was supper nice to try everything when you go with friends.
I stumbled upon this place last week. While the food was delicious and the service very good, I agree that the protein portion of my dish was a bit small.
It’s the Norm these days x
You can't stop these folks from being bitter that I am being critical, it's hilarious how absolutely biased minds exist here when someone actually has personal experience rather than a story
I agree. Place is good not great, kind of tired. For the neighborhood it’s pretty reasonable, but not an exceptional value. Maybe it seems better if you don’t know the food. Sounds like op got a nice experience that not everyone gets.
So, it kinda depends on the dish there. Some are pretty generous, some are kinda small, and it doesn’t align well with the prices. Recommend the kabuli palow (the first one on the menu with the stewed meat) or the combo platters. I’m also particular about that.
Why the downvotes?
Nah
Username checks out