Latest trip 25/03/2010
This was the first time that the Flavours of Manchester team have tried Afghan food. The previous visit was a pretty standard kebab trip some time ago (review below). Having been underwhelmed previously we decided to go for the 'Special Dishes' - which have been complimented and recommended by others. The results were a revelation. We ordered Qabily Pillow (left) and Manto (right) - also called Mantu. The first of these was a 'biryani style' rice with lamb on the bone, sultanas and and thinly sliced carrots. This was served with a side dish of lentils, meat and potatoes in a spicy sauce. It was excellent and very filling, with the rice cooked beautifully - the lamb stock really contributing to its flavour.The Manto was a delicate ravioli style 'dumpling' with minced lamb in the centre - not a million miles away from Chinese steamed dimsum or Tibetan Momos. The sauce was made of lentils and yoghurt, and was subtle and delicious. A genuinely interesting main course. The order also came with a really tasty salad served with fresh parsley and olives. Both dishes were less than £6.
Qabili Pilau and Manto
Kebab review
The one, overtly, Afghan restaurant/café in Rusholme. The menu reads pretty much the same as the other Middle Eastern [No, Afghanistan is not in the Middle East but the menu is very similar] kebab places, with a few additional, interesting looking dishes. The main difference when eating a kebab here are the sauces, which are significantly different to the others – pleasantly fresh with coriander in them. There’s not all that much to separate the kebabs at this establishment from other OK Middle Eastern type places – quite subtly flavoured but plentiful meat, OK salad and decent bread. The service was friendly but slow. Due a revisit. Perhaps diners here would do well to sample the more overtly 'Afghani' dishes rather than get the same sort of kebab they can get in another ten venues.
Scores out of 10
Meat 7.0
Bread 8.0
Salad/Sauces 6.5
Service/Setting 7.0
Average 7.1
