Dizin Persian Cuisine Builds Following in Back Corner

Dizin Persian Cuisine replaced Mazal Tov Restaurant and Catering in March, and despite a sub-prime back corner location in a Reseda strip mall, next to an El Pollo Loco drive-through, the restaurant is already building a following.

Katayoon “Kathy” Roshanai and husband Kevin Saneinia, Tehran natives who met in LA, serve grandma’s recipes. Kathy’s mom Fahimeh Yadollahi is the chef. Father Nabiollah also supports efforts. They’re both in the restaurant most days. The name Dizin refers to a ski resort in Iran, thus the mountain logo.

Kathy earned a bachelor’s degree in computer science and moved to LA at age 23. She eventually decided to switch from computers, saying, “I love people and did not want to sit in front of a computer … and always wanted to have my own restaurant.” Her husband ran a pizza store in Canoga Park 28 years ago but changed to an automotive shop in Van Nuys. Kathy does accounting for both businesses, and Kevin helps with previous restaurant experience.

The glass-fronted space features white, wood panel and orange walls. Order at the counter, where steam trays hold four different stews, and sit at white tables.

Grilled items include whitefish, boneless chicken and koobideh. The latter involves either chicken or beef, both ground in back and crafted using Kevin’s recipes. Each entree comes with BBQ tomatoes, seasoned vegetables, basmati rice, toasted pita and butter, and green salad with either Thousand Island dressing or lemon and oil.

6740 Reseda Blvd., Reseda, 818-697-5737