Caravan Kebab is housed in a kitschy neighborhood shopping mall called Firdale Village, in the south end of Edmonds. Thankfully, the feeling inside is much classier than the drive in will lead you to expect. A very friendly hostess (she is also the co-owner) greets both me and my son with enthusiasm, always bringing him his own little bowl of rice to eat (and sprinkle on the floor) while I wait for my food. This is what a good neighborhood bistro should be - upscale enough for date night, affordable and relaxed enough for a lunch date with my one-year-old.
Caravan Kebab's chef has a resume that goes well beyond what you would expect from a nondescript place selling five-dollar lunches. Seattle Times food writer Nancy Leson explains his pedigree in her July write-up:
Shahzad, 36, is a native of Pakistan who has traveled the world practicing the craft of cookery, with notable stays in Hong Kong, Thailand, India, Turkey and Greece. His eyes light up when he speaks of the Greek island of Kos, where learned tricks of the trade from 3-star chef and any number of Greek grandmas during his 7-year residence.
The first time we ate dinner at Caravan Kebab, my husband and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary, and had failed to plan ahead for a babysitter. We decided at the last minute that we would bring the baby with us and try out the place that I had been eyeing for weeks. My husband loved the Fish Masala, our son loved the high flames of the pan-fried Kaseri cheese, and I happily snapped food photos and enjoyed the warmth that comes from well spiced meat and the company of my little family.
The last few times I have stopped by, I have come during the day, to take advantage of their $5 sandwiches and $7 curry plates. These sandwhich wraps are the not the pressed and frozen meats found in cheap gyros - this is real chicken, chopped, marinated and perfectly cooked.
The chicken Boti wrap is hard to resist, although I did venture out to try the lamb wrap once too. I prefer the hummus served on the side, rather than in the sandwich. The flavor of the hummus is very good, but I think it competes with the chicken and other flavors. The chicken Tiki Masala, served with rice, is a steal and if I didn't like it so much, I would have already tried the Saag Paneer and Daal Makhani. But there is always next time!
Mediterranean, Indian & European Restaurant
(206) 546-7999
9711 Firdale Avenue
Edmonds, WA 98020
(In Firdale Village Shopping Center)
3 comments:
Yay! Some where to eat when we're in your neck of the woods! Heavens knows the North end needs some serious development.
We should go the next time Alaina and I are up there. I love chicken Tiki Masala.
He looks so different now! They change so fast at that age. And so serious about his noms.
xo, Annette
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