After years in in Cupertino and Redwood City, the Hashemi family has relocated their Arya Steakhouse to a prominent corner on Palo Alto’s University Avenue.
Co-owner Fera Hashemi said they selected Palo Alto because it’s a good halfway point for their longtime South Bay and Peninsula customers, and besides, University Avenue doesn’t have a steakhouse, much less one that also offers Persian cuisine. Plus, they see this location as more conducive to lunchtime business.
The culinary combination grew out of the original Arya Global Cuisine concept that Hashemi and her husband, executive chef Mike Hashemi, launched in 2007 on Stevens Creek Boulevard in Cupertino. Because Mike had previously owned an Italian restaurant in Orange County, they decided to offer both Persian and Italian dishes — “the best of two worlds,” as they said. In Redwood City, they also developed a following for their seafood dishes.
Two years ago, they decided to offer all-halal, all-prime steaks to complement the all-halal Persian side of the menu. The most popular entrees have been the Dry Aged Ribeye (aged in-house for 28 days), the Soltani Kabob (Persian-style filet mignon) and the Boneless Lamb Kabob (made with lamb tenderloin).
The Palo Alto menu also features chilled seafood towers, caviar service and dozens of shareable appetizers and side dishes, giving diners options like Pistachio Meatballs or Calamari for a starter, Persian “Shirazi” Salad or Caesar Salad, and the Shirin Polo basmati dish or Twice Baked Potato as a side.
Daughter Madina Hashemi, who grew up in the Arya kitchen, graduated from the Culinary Institute of America Hyde Park and is now the restaurant’s pastry chef. Among her creations are a Pistachio and Dark Chocolate Cremeux, Tropic Basil Summer Panna Cotta and Pistachio Baklava Cheesecake
The University Avenue location, at the corner of High Street, is a renovated historic building that in years past was home to the Miyake, Opa! and Tam Tam restaurants. There’s seating for 130 patrons in the main room, bar area and private dining rooms.
Details: Open daily for lunch and dinner, on weekdays from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and 5 to 10 p.m. and on weekends from 11:30 a.m. straight through to 10 p.m., at 140 University Ave., Palo Alto. www.aryasteakhouse.com
Source: www.mercurynews.com