One of L.A.’s Best Persian Restaurants, Kashcool Kitchen, Resurfaces in Van Nuys

The future of Kashcool Kitchen—one of the city’s best Persian restaurants—was looking dim when it closed earlier this year over a property dispute in Woodland Hills. Thankfully, though, owner Mahtab Saraf quickly found another location and recently re-opened just across from the Van Nuys Courthouse.

The family-run restaurant debuted in Iran in 1969 and moved to Vancouver before settling in L.A. in 2014. They’re best known for kabobs, a stunning flame-grilled selection that includes ground beef koobideh, filet mignon “tenderized & marinated in onions & spices,” and shishlik, rosy rack of lamb.

Mix and match skewers to form combos, which typically come with fluffy. saffron-stained basmati rice and grilled tomatoes. Rice upgrades are available and include the same rice garnished with sour cherry and fried onions, zereshk polo with tart barberries, and baghali polo with dill and fava beans.

Flavorful Persian dips pair well with lavash (thin flatbread) and include vivid hummus with herbs, garlic, fried onions and dried mint; smoky roasted eggplant dip called kashk-e-bademjan dressed with fried onions, whey and fried mint; and a tangy yogurt dip called mast-o-khiar folded with cucumber and more dried mint. Appetizer trios let you dip, dip, dip.

The space houses only three tables, with the same 3-D murals from the former location. So while the food remains excellent, Kashcool’s new location lends itself more to grab-and-go orders and catering.

6159 Van Nuys Blvd., Van Nuys, 818-849-6545