Sabzi
352 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington, MA, 02474
Sabzi Menu
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Address :
352 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA, 02474 - Phone (781) 753-0150
- Website https://www.sabzikabab.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Tue
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Quiet
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : No
Wi-Fi : No
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Laura W.
I had a lovely experience at Sabzi. Dinner was so delicious and service was good. My dinner group ordered a number of dishes from appetizers and different main courses all of which were made in great spices and high quality of meats: Salad Shirazi ( diced in small delicate cubes), Kashk-e Bademjan (creamy eggplant spread), Mast-o Musir (refreshing yoghurt dip), and finally the Kabab-e Jujeh (petite cut pieces of wonderfully marinated Cornish hens) and Kabab-e Barg (thins slices of perfectly marinated beef) over large fresh pita bread along with rice and tomatoes. Keep in mind, this place is very tiny so expect a wait even with a reservation. I came on a Sunday night so it was quiet and there was very little wait. Despite having one member of the dinner party as a fan and a Persian as well, we did not get any preferential treatment since there was another patron waiting before us. If Sabzi had the Iranian stews, I would have given all five stars but I understand the amount of work it takes to make everything.
(4)Reza H.
Friendly relaxed atmosphere -- we were there for ages! My new favorite place to have Kubideh.
(4)Shirin K.
Just got takeout and it was absolutely delicious. We loved it and definitely for our next gathering we are getting food from there. Highly recommended
(5)Zoe P.
I found the food here a little too subtly flavored and refined, but I think that may just my feeling about Persian food generally. I've had this reaction before. I want more garlic, more herbs, more citrus, more tang, more char, and juicer, messier, more succulent grilled meats. But I think that's...a different cuisine. So maybe it wasn't meant to be, me and lovely little Sabzi, where the decor matches the food. Still, even if I loved Persian food, I think I'd be giving this place 4 stars anyway. Service was very awkward in that "local-girl-with-tattoos-asks-you-where-you-went-Âto-high-school" way. Honey, we're trying to have a quiet dinner and we're not from here. And she oversold the baklava (and apologized because there was no ice cream?!) when I desperately wanted some sort of milky, eggy pudding or custard. Okay, well, it's not her fault that I probably should have gone to a Turkish restaurant in the first place.
(3)bk r.
Hole in the wall with a limited menu maybe, but oozing charm with a friendly attentive staff, generous portions, and excellent prices. Hint: reserve ahead or you could wait a while - it's a TINY place !
(4)Monica A.
The server remembered the wine we'd usually order, and had it waiting at our table. That was really thoughtful. You can swap the rice for salad. The kashke bademjoon is so yum. And you have to love the fact the restaurant is decorated with the owner's actual fam photos.
(4)Helen V.
Discrete corner of Mass Ave with a little antique sign barely visible if you're zipping by to Cambridge. This place is wonderful! The appetizers are delicious and surprisingly very filling. We went for lunch and were ambitious enough to get 2 appetizers and 2 entrees. The two apps were the yogurt dip and eggplant dip. Both were flavorful and balanced each other well. The entrees were large with 2 types of rice (saffron and regular). I got the cornish game hen and the bf got the beef. The meat was cooked well for both and I loved having a bit of the appetizers left to use dip the meats in. Simply delicious! I'm gonna come back. Especially with Arlington Global down the block. Perhaps a return for dinner too!
(5)Danjackie L.
My husband and I went here on a Friday night. We didn't have reservations but that was no problem as there were a couple tables available. This place is small so you sit very close to surrounding tables and by default can hear everyone else's conversation. No big deal though - it's cozy. Our waitress came over right away and was very nice. We started with the appetizer of yogurt dip and shallots served with pita bread. Very tasty. My husband got the Soltani and I got the Persepolis. The steak and chicken were both very good but we both didn't care as much for the ground beef. It tasted like a chewy sausage. Although well seasoned, we preferred the chicken and steak. The rice was very good and portions were quite large. We had a bottle of the Rioja which was decent as well. We didn't have room for dessert but the table next to us couldn't stop talking about it. Overall, this is a nice little cozy spot with tasty food. We'll be back. Maybe next time we'll try the Cornish hen.
(4)Sofi A.
Tried it...loved it. Waiter was very good and friendly and the food was amazing. We had the cucumber yogurt dip as a starter, and a steak kebob for dinner. We will be back for sure, with the kids.
(5)Gita H.
First time at Sabzi and I have to say this will be the place for me when I crave Persian food! The service was great. The ambience is very cozy and cute. The food is as good as it gets. Thank you for providing a decent Persian food that Boston was lacking for a long time!
(5)Fred A.
Nice and cozy place. Good service. Very small and limited seating.
(4)Sara L.
Now that I think about it, there's not that much Iranian food in other cities. We are blessed with a huge Iranian population and great Persian restaurants in my home town of Los Angeles. When staying with friends in Arlington, I saw Sabzi on Yelp. They'd never had Persian, so we had to go. Kabobs were just right, bedemjan was amazing, and rice was well-cooked (Persian rice can be notoriously imperfect sometimes). Oddly enough they didn't have gormeh sabzi on the menu, but they did have an off-menu fesenjan that I'd come back for if I lived in town. Prices were great! Even my Stella Artois was just $4. Our server was clearly not Iranian, but she knew the names and ingredients of dishes and did a wonderful job helping to educate my friends. I loved my koobideh, my friends loved their cornish hen and lamb kabobs. Sabzi is definitely a great find!
(4)Silvia V.
Just read about Sabzi in the Globe the other day and decided to give it a try. I love the old pictures on walls, the decor is very rustic and cozy. No other ways to describe it. I liked it a lot. For starters we had Mast-o Musir and Kashk-e Bademjan. The Bademjan was excellent. My Persian hubby's words about his Kabab-e Jujeh: Wow, this is excellent. I had a Soltani because I wanted to try both Kubideh and Barg skewers and both were very yummy. The secret of Persian grilled meats is in the marinade and they nailed it at Sabzi. The chicken and beef were perfectly grilled as well. Everything came out from the kitchen hot. Our waitress was very attentive and we had fun chatting with her. The prices are very reasonable. I'm so happy there's another good Persian restaurant very close to home. We will definitely go back and will take some friends and family too.
(5)Valerie B.
Wonderful neighborhood restaurant - wished I lived in the area. Very Cambridge, Somerville in a really good way. Simple food - "clean " meaning not cloying oil based food. Thumbs up!
(4)Crystal J.
My fiancé loves this place. We've been back several times. The food is amazing and we really like their kabobs.
(5)Ariel Z.
This restaurant mainly serves kebab, which was one of the best I ever tried. I wished they had other Persian dishes, such as Fesenjoon (my personal favorite). You must order the Persian tea. However, if you'd like something more alcoholic, their wine selection is quite nice. My only complaint is that their version of a "glass of wine" was tiny.
(4)Allison H.
Cozy restaurant with a nice front window for watching the rain. I tried the Kebab-e Kubideh and Kebab-e Jujeh Barg combo. The portions are good (leftovers!) and the meat was beautifully cooked. The Kubideh was not overly greasy like some I've had before. There is a lot of rice, which was also cooked well but not very seasoned. It came with a wedge of lime that fixed it right up. Definitely recommend!
(4)Neha A.
Delicious!!! That says it all.
(5)Chaos M.
We had the beef skew. It was just not tasty! (Using East Asian standard). And it was expensive! I don't know why so many people like it.
(2)Sahar Z.
Amazing Kubeideh Kebab! Great quick service and the food is great regardless of dining in or taking out... my only complaint is that they are not located closer to Boston!
(5)Sophiya S.
I like this cozy place. It is small but charming and calm. They mainly serve different styles of kabab which is good quality. Our waiters are very friendly and polite, even when we stay there for a long time after our food is done! This is very very appreciable since they are a small place. One note though, they have mistakenly brought extra orders to our table on a couple of occasions so make sure you are clear while ordering and check your bill carefully!
(4)Emerson O.
I like Middle Eastern food. I like restaurants. This place fell short. Could have just been an off day...
(2)Aaron K.
Brand new in Arlington, something we don't have, persian cuisine! I was really excited to try this place and think it could be really good once they get through their trial run. They have just done a soft opening where they haven't tried to do a lot of press or put up a sign, yet they are already filling the restaurant (8pm on Saturday). This is a small restaurant (about 20 seats) and unfortunately the layout of the seating can certainly make you notice it. Call ahead if you are bringing more than 4 people for sure! My chair was bumped a few times by the waitstaff because of the awkward layout of the tables and how our table was blocking the corner table. Most of the food was very good. We started with the Kashk-e bademjan which was a great eggplant spread. You could tell it was freshly prepared and came out hot, this was served w/ pita bread (6$). For entrees we had the kabab-e kubideh (ground beef skewers, 10$) and kabab-e jujeh (cornish hen $12). The beef skewers were very good, juicy and well seasoned. The plate was huge with a good amount of meat, tons of well cooked basmati rice, roasted tomato, and marinated red cabbage. This was a steal for 10$! The cornish hen was a little disappointing compared to the beef. At a higher price it was much less meat (about one skewer of meat) and the breast was dry. The little wings and legs were more tasty according to my fiance but I still wasn't a fan of that dish. We ordered baklava (4$) to go and i was only able to try two pieces but they were very tasty. One thing I really liked is that I ordered water and they bring a pitcher to your table for you to refill your glass at your leisure. Please keep doing that - every restaurant should do this. Servers were friendly and the restaurant was in good working order for being so new. They made solid recommendations. They said they plan on expanding the menu in the fall, right now it is very small but that is ok if everything is well prepared. We will be back but won't be in a rush back. I would give Sabzi about 3.5 stars.
(3)Kristin A.
Perfect!! This is a cozy, warm, and friendly spot. The food is authentic and delicious and very affordable. The portions are very generous. However, I miss Cyrus!!
(5)Lauren H.
I have been to this place many times and have never been dissappointed! I've tried pretty much every kebab on the menu, and they were all equally tasty. My favorite appetizers are the kashk bademjan and mast o musir. The restaurant is very small, but it's nicely decorated and the one waitress is always so friendly and attentive. Persian music is usually playing in the background, and my Iranian boyfriend says that this place really feels like home for him. I've never seen this place more than half full, so reservations are not necessary. In fact, there are many times that we have been the only customers - a hidden gem!
(5)Paris Q.
I have been to this restaurant a few times. I would go more often if it was located closer to Boston. Their kabob is tasty and freshly made. I also like their Salad Shirazi which is just a mix of finely chopped tomatoes, onions and cucumbers with lemon juice, but tastes great with Persian food. Although the restaurant is not conveniently located for Bostonians, the cozy atmosphere inside makes up for the long ride.
(5)Roxie D.
Meh. I'm Persian, and was not impressed with the food here. They had no tanoor bread, which is a giant deal breaker. My friend and I both got food poisoning after eating here. The food was pretty bland and not at all traditional. The seating was awkward and the server had NO idea what she was talking about. When I asked about certain foods from the menu, she stared at me blankly. Doesn't really inspire much confidence when ordering. There are a boatload of great places in Watertown- head there instead! ps...my followup to the owner's note: I suggest you do contact the board of health and have them check your place out if you feel it's necessary. I was in there sometime this fall, so I can't pinpoint the exact date. It appears that I'm not the only one who came into contact with meat that was "off" this fall. A review posted by Sara J from 10/3/2011 states: "As for the kabob...the meat didn't taste quite right. I am not sure if it was the grill used to prepare it or it was because of the quality of the actual meat used, but I could tell something was off. " Susi's review from 9/19/2011 states: "This place was really good when I first tried it but then the second time I went back... the meat didn't taste as good as before." I'm guessing the meat that made me sick was the same batch from late September/early October, as 2 others have now commented on it not tasting right. Your comment of "I urge you to stay on top of this. A very, very serious accusation such this cannot remain unanswered. As you know our reputation is everything and as our "accuser", you have a duty to come forward and allow us to rectify the situation" seems like a thinly veiled threat, and I don't appreciate it or find it to be appropriate. Frankly, your language is consistent with harassment. This is YOUR responsibility, not mine. I have a right to write an unbiased review of my experience at your establishment. What don't you get about that? If you feel that this review isn't fair, take it up with Yelp and ask them to remove it. Rather than trying to bully me into removing my review, hopefully you'll focus on the multiple reviews that note the poor quality of food and abhorrent customer service. Perhaps you should direct your energy toward rectifying those, since bad food and poor service- not a lone yelp review with no votes for "useful"- are what "breaks a restaurant."
(2)Meghan M.
Still unending love for this place. I've been a dozen or so times, never an issue, always a treat.
(4)Natalie M.
Full Disclosure: I am no Persian Cuisine Professional. However, I can say without a doubt that the food here was scrumptious. Boyfriend and I high-tailed to Sabzi in order to escape the torture that is election night. We were the only ones in the petite little joint which was nicely intimate. The decor was homey and delightful and the waitress we had was extremely courteous and friendly. Both of us ate every last morsel of the meal! I never knew ground beef could taste so good and I can safely say I now want to put Saffron on just about everything I eat. In my opinion, Sabzi is a tucked away little gem with huge potential - part of me wants to yell it's name from the hill tops but the other part of me wants to take it to the grave so I can always go to eat there without a wait. Either way, I do declare Sabzi deserves the good press. Sure you can't please everyone but you've pleased me and that's good enough in my book. I assure you I will be back and next time I'm ordering the cornish game hen. OM NOM NOM NOM.
(4)Robert R.
The first time we attempted to dine at Sabzi, it was so busy we decided to try another day. The dining room is fairly small, so it is easy to see how it could fill up. Several weeks later, we stopped by again, very early on a Saturday evening. Initially, we were the only diners until another couple came in just as we were finishing. It was nice to have the place mostly to ourselves. The decor is very smart, elegant, and intimate. I don't know that it would feel quite the same when busy, however. We were seated immediately and offered menus. I was initially confused by the selections. None of the words was even remotely familiar in the appetizer selections (except the word, "salad"). Then I saw the word, "Kabob" with several other selections not in the appetizers menu. Our friendly server explained that they serve kabobs and then described the selections and answered questions. She was relaxed and friendly. What they really should explain is that, aside from the appetizers and side dishes, they ONLY serve kabobs for the main dish. In fact, I would suggest they provide a hint of that in the name of the restaurant, perhaps calling it, "Sabzi Kabobs." Just sayin... Beyond all the logistics, the food was extraordinary and delicious. My friend and I shared an appetizer salad, Salad Shirazi, made with diced tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions and mint tossed in fresh lime juice and olive oil. We had been out walking on a warm afternoon and this salad was refreshing and crisp. We were served pita bread triangles with it. Next time, I'm thinking we should try a few other items from the appetizers and sides. For my kabob entree, I ordered Kabab-e Jujeh Barg, a skewer of saffron and citrus marinated medallions of chicken breast. My friend ordered Kabab-e Barg, a skewer of select cuts of marinated triangle steak. The wait was at least 20 minutes, but it was worth it. Each plate was served neatly without the skewer. The meat was perfectly arranged just as it came off the skewer. The chicken had a nice golden color from the saffron. It was served on a long, oval plate with a mound of jasmine rice, very light and fluffy (almost dry), with some yellow died rice along the top for added color. There was also a mound of bright magenta colored pickled cabbage on one side. The presentation was eye pleasing. My chicken was tender and flavorful as was my friend's beef kabob. I don't usually order rice, but I ate the entire generous amount that was on my plate. The servings were satisfying. I would recommend this restaurant. We will return when we are in the mood for kabobs again.
(4)sarah l.
Cozy restaurant with tasty food. The kabab koubideh was juicy, not greasy, and the basmati rice was delicious. They also have a nice selection of appetizers all at reasonable prices. The decor, music, and cleaniness of the restaurant made our experience even more pleasant.
(5)Tim S.
This is a cozy little restaurant that reminded me of some restaurants I've been too in Paris where they a small and intimate where no one is pushing to turn the tables. The food was excellent. I had had the cornish hen (Kabob e-Jujeh) with the Salad Shirazi and my girlfriend had the chicken (Kabob e-Jujeh Barg). The salad include very fresh tomatos and cucumbers and the chicken and cornish hen are fairly simply prepared kabobs. They were not served on skewers and the cornish hen was served with the breasts off the bone and then legs and wingl separate. My only criticism would be they have a very limited menu.
(4)Jazmin M.
While in college, I had several Persian friends, and I was very fortunate to experience their culture and cuisine. Moving from a state with a large middle eastern population to Boston, I was slightly apprehensive to try Persian restaurants in the area. I have tried Lala Rokh and Moby Dick, neither of which compared to the Persian restaurants that were endorsed by my Persian friends. Then, I found Sabzi. Last night, my boyfriend and I were relishing our wonderful meal at Sabzi, and I realized that after three visits I had yet to write a review on this wonderful place. My boyfriend and I live in Backbay and Chinatown, respectively, and because we love this place so much, we usually rent a Zipcar to make the "voyage" a more expedient one. We usually start off with the eggplant with caramelized onions and the yogurt with cucumber. I am not usually a fan of eggplant, but Sabzi's eggplant appetizer is by far one of the best eggplant dishes I have tasted-caramelized onions, wonderfully seasoned, and just enough strained yogurt to add creaminess to the layer of flavors. The yogurt and cucumber dish is a very simple dish, but I have seen other restaurants screw it up. I usually get the kabab-e-jejune (cornish hen kabob) entree, and he gets the kabab-e-borg (beef kabob). Mine is always juicy and very tasty served with a generous portion of rice with a little bit of saffron and grilled tomatoes. My only complaint is that I wish they served freshly baked Persian bread to accompany the appetizers instead of the store (yet, warm) pita. Take home points: -great, authentic persian food -generous portions reasonably priced -unique, quaint and romantic decor -great service
(4)Chris M.
I went to Sabzi one evening after work last week with a group of friends. It's a cozy restaurant with nice decor. The food was good and the wait staff was attentive and friendly. One suggestion I'd make is have a kabab option with both grilled meat and vegetables. (You currently can get either/or.)
(4)Sara J.
I walked in here out of the blue. I actually am a fan the small space, it was clean, nicely decorated. I was seated next to a couple of middle-aged Persian men, we chatted for a bit, and I really liked the informal feel. I had kabob there and then bought a sultani to go. While I appreciated it being prepared on the fly since I was in a rush, the server made me feel rushed, I think they were slammed and weren't expecting to be so busy for a Weds night, but it really seemed all they needed was one more set of hands, and the place wouldn't have had such a hectic feel. As for the kabob, there is no real competition in terms of Persian food, so I am sure Sabzi will do fine, but the meat didn't taste quite right. I am not sure if it was the grill used to prepare it or it was because of the quality of the actual meat used, but I could tell something was off. My hope is to return with more time, and with my Persian father and re-review this place. Nice touch that the silverware sets included dinner espoons.
(3)Allie A.
Sabzi, meaning "fresh green herbs", is a great new addition to Arlington. The pros of this place are the service, decor, and the food. The only con is the tiny space--once more people find out about it you can imagine there being quite the wait! To start, the proprietor/server went out of his way to make sure we had an excellent experience. We began with a warm eggplant spread that was just heavenly and accompanied by pita. If only the pita wasn't so dry! The entrees ranged in price from $10.95 to $16.95. My companion got the mixed kabob plate, the Persepolis, which had ground beef and chicken. I had the chicken kabob. Both were very generous portions and quite tasty. The wine selection is small but at $5 a glass who can complain? We ended our meal with Persian tea and baklava cookies ($4 for 4 cookies). The cookies were very well prepared-sweet, but not overly so with just the right amount of honey. The tea had a really nice flavor and came in gorgeous glasses, I just wished it came with sugar cubes instead of sweetner packets.
(4)Omar Y.
Amazing new Persian restaurant...menu is simple and authentic (no hamburgers or fries here). Everthing was fresh and delicous and wait staff was helpful and attentive.
(5)Shahrima H.
The food was awesome. Love the atmosphere. Me & my friend, we both had the beef kabob dishes. They were very nicely prepared. Definitely recommend this place.
(4)Dan C.
Ate there tonight. We had the vegetable pickles (good, but quite sour), the yogurt/cucumber (very good -- similar to raita), the eggplant dip (very good), the ground beef kabobs and the combo chicken / tenderloin kebobs. I have no experience with Persian food, but I enjoyed everything quite a bit. Our chicken was well-cooked. I would have liked the tenderloin medium rare, but that may be either inappropriate or not possible with the meat size. Everything was juicy and tender. The rice was simple, but delicious without being fat-laden. The rice was served with a grilled tomato and some cabbage. We tried the carbonated yogurt drink. It is quite tart (unsweetened), and an acquired taste. I found it more interesting than delicious. I suggested that they augment the beer selection with a craft choice or two. We didn't try the wines, but they were very reasonable. The baclava was a sampler of 4 different one and was very good. The bill was about $56 for two adults and a child, plus tip. The service was earnest, prompt, and helpful. There were a few minor rough edges -- areas that still need a bit of training. (They have only soft-opened and are still training staff.) As is, the service was above average for an ethnic restaurant and the rough edges were truly minor and well-meaning. The co-owner is personable and helpful. The ambiance was warmer and more inviting than Prose. A most welcome addition to the area, and worth traveling to try something new. They expect to do a big take-out business. I will definitely return.
(5)Ali G.
DELICIOUS! You know you got it bad when you leave the place thinking, When can I come back? I stopped by Friday night to check out the menu and we ended up taking seats to try out the food right then and there. The cucumber yogurt appetizer was so fresh that I ordered two (admittedly, my friend helped me a little bit on eating them, but I could've eaten them both on my own). After that, I ordered the Persepolis which was a combo of a citrus-marinated chicken kabob and seasoned beef kabob over rice. OMG.... the chicken was so tasty and the beef was so tender - amazing. My friend ordered the same which was a good thing since there was no way I was sharing my food. A glass of red wine with our meals, baklava for dessert, and I was happy as a clam. Overall, food is delish and it's my new fave.
(5)Niousha V.
This is one my favorate persian restaurants around Boston. Recently, I came over with a friend. We had Barg kabab and chicken kabab. Both cooked great and they were very yummy. With my past experiences of having Barg Kabab in other restaurants, I know that the chef is very expert. I would also say that comparing to other persian restaurant in metro Boston the price is reasonable and the food is great.
(5)CW W.
Drove by this place a couple weeks ago and decided to give it a try. Never had Persian food before but always willing to try new things. We were greeted by a very friendly hostess even though we came in about 15mins before closing time. I'm guessing the owner or manager also came over to greet us and chat. We started with this salad of tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions with mint and olive oil. It was light and tasty. For our entrees I got the Cornish hen while my friend got the flank steak. The dishes come with a plentiful amount of basmati rice and a few fix ins. The flavor of my Cornish hen was so yummy. Very subtle and not heavy, just simple deliciousness. The owner again came over to check on us and seemed like a really nice man. There are not a lot of items on the menu but I will be back to try them.
(4)Frank S.
Love Persian food and this is as good as it gets. Simple menu but, everything we had was simply Great. Has a small dining area and we got the last table for two. There was a family with children, and a large group of friends in the front window. It is a very comfortable and intiment setting, we had a great conversation with the couple next to us. Loved the pictures on the wall. Staff was very nice, best kabob I have ever had!! Great place.
(5)Frank F.
I lived in Tehran for years and kebab is lamb, not beef. If you are looking for the real deal you won't find it here. Sure, good beef makes a good kebab, but it's not Iranian. You will get excellent lamb kebab at Shiraz Cuisine in Watertown and at Moby Dick on Huntington Ave in Boston.
(1)Tasha P.
Hello Yelpers, Last weekend I tried this Persian restaurant. I had wanted to have lunch there a few months back, but they're not open. Anyways, I had dinner with a friend and I thought the food would have been great, but it was alright. The place is small with a couple of wait staff. I liked the fact that there were some vegetarian meals! We both ordered the same dish of chicken with the cucumber, onion and tomato salad. My friend ordered and appt of pita bread and a yogurt flavored dipping sauce which apparently had someone's hair in it!!! The wait staff was notified and acknowledge the dismay on my friend's and replaced it. Service was slow and plain. Watered was delivered and the $5 glass of wine was serviced in the same size glass as the water??? It was very basic. I've experienced better.
(2)Sara B.
Me and my friend tried this place two days back and were so impressed that we returned today. Between the two of us, we've tried most items on the menu and they are all AMAZING. First off the restaurant is very tastefully decorated and gives a very cozy feel. The menu is fairly small so it wasn't too difficult to decide on our orders. We started off with the cucumber, tomato and onion salad which is very tangy and light. We also had the roasted eggplant dip which had a very nutty and rich flavor to it and we ate that with the pita bread. I had the soup which was very rich and yummy. The main entrees consist of different types and preparations of meats on skewers, served with rice (or salad if you are carb phobic). The portions are huge and you can try different combinations of meats in your order: The cornish hen chicken on skewers was DELISH. The meat was flavorful, tender and moist. Couldn't have asked for something better. The minced beef kabab is divine.Very flavorful, very juicy and tender. I got one skewer of it with one skewer of grilled veggies. The veggies were mildly seasoned and perfectly grilled to the core and yet juicy. Perfectly complemented the meat and rice. The beef steak kabab is also very nice.Well done yet juicy. I'll order that next time as my friend only let me steal a small piece:p For dessert, we got the assortment of baklavas. Personally i am not a fan of baklavas at all, but this place had very interesting ones, which were far nicer than the standard cookie cutter ones you get everywhere else. They had four different variations of it. We had them with persian tea. When I first saw the tea I thought it might be very strong/bitter and would require milk. But the tea was lovely with just the right hint of cardamom.
(5)Faezeh M.
If you have never tried Persian/Iranian food you should definitely check this place out. As an Iranian I have tried different Persian Restaurants in the Boston area, and by far Sabzi has been the best! I adore everything here; the decor (Old pictures from Iran, Torshi Jars and Poshti pillows ), the food and the service. I highly recommend their Kashk-e bademjan (eggplant), Mast-o Mosir, Mast-o Khiar, Saffron marinated Cornish hen or chicken and Kabab- e kubideh.
(4)Lis H.
Unbelievably tasty, with great service and a really lovely space. We started with the shallot yogurt dip which came with pita bread and followed with the beef kabob and the Cornish game hen kabob. Both were fantastic. I has the cucumber tomato salad instead of rice and my husband said the rice was the best he'd had. The salad was delicious also. Our waitress was super nice and very attentive. We finished with the baklava school was very tasty and came with a piece of spice cake as well. All in all it was a very lovely lunch!
(5)Adam R.
I've eaten at many Persian restaurants in the Boston area, many in New York, London, Chicago and Los Angeles, and studied cooking with top Persian cookbook writer. Sabzi stands out among Persian restaurants in the area, up there with Lala Rokh. While it is not the best in the world, it is among the best in Boston. The ambiance is miles better than the vast majority of Persian restaurants. For that reason, aside from Lala Rokh, Sabzi is the only Persian restaurant in the Boston area I'd be comfortable bringing non-Persians. Aside from ambiance, it is unusual in that it serves wine, which is a big plus. Kebab and rice in the Persian style varies slightly from restaurant to restaurant. Sometimes it can be really plain, in a bad way. Sabzi's kebabs are of the tastier sort than average. They seem to use lime as the citrus part of the chicken marinade (others use lemon or no citrus at all). They use a more flavorful basmati rice than do some other restaurants (it should taste strongly nutty, not watery). Sabzi's kubideh (ground meat on a skewer) has a lot of flavor, with enough fat and char, and without being dry. Presentation of the food is neat, which is a good sign. I have not tried the appetizers.
(4)Julia Z.
This place was recommended by friends and it wasn't disappointing. A very casual and lay-back place to have authentic and delicious Iranian food. Highly recommend their Kermani; rice was nicely spiced, the vegetable skewer tasted fantastic and went perfectly with the kubideh, not too greasy or too light. If you like Middle Eastern food this place is a must try!
(4)Laura H.
Ordered from here because I was sick of the usual Arlington/Somerville food scene. WONDERFULLY SURPRISED! Cornish hen skewers marinated in saffron? YES PLEASE. Cannot wait to have an excuse to go again.
(4)L L.
Yummmmy! Friendly service and the space is cozy and adorable. Would suggest making a reservation because the space is so small, a party of more than 2 people may need to wait for the bigger tables to open up. The manager/owner? Checked up on us and was very nice. Can't wait to go back!
(4)Nigel V.
Dined last Saturday evening, which was our second visit here. I had the beef and chicken combo dish. My wife ordered the hen, but they sent out the chicken by mistake. Our waitress apologized profusely for the mistake, but the hen was going to take too long. We decided to stick with chicken and the chef sent out the yogurt shallot dip to apologize. It was delicious!!! The waitress was great, she was extremely pleasant and attentive. When we asked about ingredients, she went back in the kitchen to ask and gave us the ingredient list. The vibe is great, the food is amazing and the staff is very helpful. All in all, a very pleasant experience.
(4)NG G.
The food was awesome, especially the "Kashk-e-baademjaan". Very friendly staff. I definitely recommend it!
(4)Steven L.
Sabzi recently opened in the former location of Prose. It is within walking distance of Arlington Center. The food was fresh, tasty and well-presented, and the proprietor was both attentive and pleasant. Hopefully, Sabzi will succeed and become a regular part of the Arlington dining circuit.
(3)Sheri O.
I'm so excited to welcome Sabzi to the Arlington collection of restaurants. Sabzi stands out for the quality, freshness, and careful seasoning of its food, it's tasteful, clever decor, and the friendliness of its staff. We happened upon Sabzi as we were on our way to Za! What a fun surprise. We walked in to a restaurant with high ceilings, dark wood tables and chairs and little touches that transported you out of Arlington to a cafe far away. After tasting the food (I ordered the frittata and the tomato/cucumber salad, my dining companion ordered the eggplant spread and upped it to a meal size), we both agreed that we will be back again and again. Our meal was outstanding. The restaurant has only been open for 12 days, so I hear that a new menu is on its way. I really respect the work, thought, and care that the owners are pouring into this space. The dishes they serve have been hand-selected from their family's collection of traditional recipes and thoroughly mastered by their chef. The story they are telling is consistent and tasteful, right down to the little glasses in which they serve traditional Persian tea at the end of the meal. Nothing is overdone, and it just feels "right". What a treat to have a restaurant of this caliber in Arlington. I wish them all the best, and many years of success. We can't wait to go back!
(5)AB D.
Great place for members of Weight Watchers! I know that doesn't sound like a great recommendation to you non-WW people, but I love this place because it is SO easy to eat a delicious low point meal. I order the combination of one roasted vegetable skewer with one skewer of ground beef kebabs (called Kermani on the menu.) Ground beef kebab might not sound delicious, but it is. For a small charge, you can substitute a delicious Shirazi salad for the rice. And they give you a ton of salad. I estimated that this meal was 5-6 points, and it was fabulous. The place is really small, so hopefully you are sitting next to quiet/considerate people.
(4)John E.
Have been 3-4 times. Great food, flavors and pricing. Hope the start doing lunch soon. Get while you can I think as word spreads it will be tough to get a table.
(5)Susi S.
This place was really good when I first tried it but then the second time I went back they were out of cornish - hen and the meat didn't taste as good as before. If you are only going to offer a few things on your menu, you should really make sure you have it in stock. Also the name of the restaurant is Sabzi, why don't they even offer sabzi and cheese as an appetizer or offer it for free when you sit down with bread like other typical persian restaurants? I was really excited about this place but now I'm not sure how well they will do.
(3)Stuart L.
I was very encouraged that a Persian place was opening in Arlington, where Prose once was, since I love good Persian food, and Boston is rather thin on good places of this type, to say the least. Very nice atmosphere, dimly lit, nicely appointed. The kahske bademjan appetizer was very fresh, a little bland. I got the Persepolis combination as an entree, described as cornish hen kabob and kubideh, which is ground beef rolled into a long strip. The chicken was actually chicken breast cutlet rather than cornish hen, and it was cut so thin that it was very dry and despite spices, rather flavorless. The chicken breast usually served with the other dish that is actually supposed to be chicken breast, barg, is more like medallions, so the meat does not dry out on grilling. The kubideh, on the other hand, was flavorful and juicy, if a little on the greasy side. What was most disappointing was the small portion of each meat, considering the price of the entree. There is always a lot of rice with Persian entrees, but it is usually balanced out with the portion of meat, and even vegetables, like grilled pepper or onion. There was only a meager half a grilled plum tomato to accompany the meat and mostly Basmati rice. The waitstaff and owner/manager went out of their way to be friendly, but seemed rather anxious. That made me a bit uneasy. I was asked if I liked my meal, and I was honest about how dry the chicken was. This was barely acknowledged. Pretty disappointing, for the price, and for my probably unrealistically high hopes for a good Persian place in Boston other than Lala Rokh.
(2)Kara O.
went back again last week for the third time,the best dinner ever,make sure to try the eggplant dish,,,so good.
(5)Alex C.
Went there last week for my birthday and it was great. Had persian food before (from a buffet), but this was completely different...in a much better way! Everything fresh, right out of the kitchen (grill). My fiancee and I shared some appetizers (yoghurt with cucumbers, eggplant dip, pickles) and also tried some of their skewers. She had the ground meat and tenderloin combo and I had the ground meat and chicken combo. I am always hesitant to order chicken in a restaurant, cause they usually cook the last juicy drop out of there...but here...I was pleasantly surprised. Very juicy and moist...very good. The tenderloin was also very good and the ground meat was spectacular. So moist and flavorful! Yummy! There was a lot of food for the two of us...but we both cleaned our plates. Also remember to save some of your appetizers to have with the main course. I basically took the cabbage (that comes with each plate) and mixed it together withe rice, the eggplant app and the cucumber yoghurt and everything went wonderful together. Service was nice and efficient! No question...will definitely be back...and best of all...by then they maybe even have expanded their menu...even if not...definitely worth it!
(5)Yara F.
Been here a few times with family and also ordered take out. I am persian myself so I can be pretty picky with middle eastern cuisine, but overall food is great. It's a little bit pricey compared to take out kabob restaurants, but if you are dining in it's worth it. To be safe ALWAYS CALL AHEAD just because the restaurant is very small and it sucks showing up and finding out every table is reserved. Waitstaff is very nice but they end up taking a while to serve you so definitely don't come here if you're in a rush. Great spot for a date or a quaint dinner out with a few friends or family!
(4)Claire G.
Sirloin steak kabob and Cornish hen plus salad sharazi so stinking good! Fun atmosphere and cozy for couples. $5 glasses of wine. Excellent if you're looking for something new and tasty.
(5)Matt K.
One of the best Persian cuisine in the area....I have been there 3 times and everything I have tried on the menu (mainly the Kebobs) are excellent. Small, intimate dining area... Excellent for a quiet lunch and or a dinner with a small group
(5)Jon G.
I love this place. delicious food and nice look inside. I recommend Kabab Soltani for meat lowers and you won't regret
(5)Becca R.
Incredible date restaurant and a discovery in any cooking genre in the Boston area. Arlington should be proud. This place is intimate, considered and delicious. We loved Kevin our waiter and came in after discovering it during a drive through of Arlington. "Sabzi... that's a Persian restaurant, isn't it?? ... Whoa, look at those ratings!!" This is truly loved-up food with no shortcuts. Recommend calling ahead and making a trip of this place and planning to stay for several courses. We came in at 5:00 for appetizers and by the time we left, the restaurant was full.
(5)Phil C.
I brought a friend here for her birthday on a mid-week evening. I've always wanted to try this place out but couldn't find an excuse to. Arlington's got another nice restaurant and you can easily miss this location in a more sleepier part of Mass Ave. The decor of the restaurant has a homey feel to it, but it's a little dark. I must admit: this spot would make for a pretty nice date. The place is small, intimate, and warm. The restaurant feels somewhat inviting when you enter. I went for the marinated sirloin steak kabob and the steak was cooked perfectly. The steak was about medium rare to close to medium with it being well-seasoned. But it wasn't to the point to where the seasoning overpowered the meat. My friend's Kubideh (ground beef) kabob, I guess kinda like kafka, was nicely seasoned. I could tell spices like cumin were present. However, the kabob had a bit of an over-mixed/rubbery texture to it. If I visit again, I'd either stick to the steak or try the Cornish hen. The sides for both dishes were respectable. The rice was fluffy and delicious, along with the grilled tomato and picked cabbage. Nothing really intruded on the meat and provided good accompaniment. I also ordered the salad shirazi to bulwark the vegetable content and definitely enjoyed that as well. I love good fresh cucumbers and tomatoes to begin with, so having a salad of that with a nice tangy marinade was a natural for me. The Persian tea, a red tea with cardamom, at the end of the meal provided a wonderful conclusion. You felt really comfortable after drinking that tea and made for excellent conversation. It went down smoothly and gave a warm feel on a cold evening. Service was thoughtful, though the only waiter at the restaurant was a bit shy. Price point is bearable, if you can mentally separate this from a take-out kabob place.
(4)Amy R.
This place is amazing. The food is indeed perfect and the space is like a room in someone's home, warm and inviting just like the staff. Like many reviewers have pointed out it is a super small space (only 6 or 7 tables and a small bar) so always call ahead.
(5)Rima K.
I came here on a Tuesday night and found the food to be a bit bland. We ordered the cornish hen and beef sirloin and neither were exceptionally juicy. We usually have this type of food in New York so maybe my judgement is biased based off of eating there. Also the eggplant dish that everyone seems to rave about has a weird minty flavor to it. I think that throws me off a bit. The pita seemed store bought and not fresh either. I really wanted to like this place but I guess not.
(2)Fariba M.
The best persian restaurant in Boston. Everything is great "the foods, the waitresses and the place".
(5)Barbara A.
I have had the food from here several times but only as takeout with a large group. Since we often have the food late, it is usually cold but always yummy. So when I found myself in the area and needing of an early dinner, I decided to finally eat in. We started with Mast-o Khiar which is a yogurt and cucumber dip with FRESH mint. I loved it! They also were very nice and were very generous with the fresh pita. We moved on to the Kabab-e Barg, which is thin cuts of marinated steak. My daughter and I love this too and the flavoring in the marinade was spot on and very subtle. The rice and pickled cabbage worked really well too especially when I mixed the yogurt dip with the steak and in the pita ... drooling just thinking about it. The spot is small and intimate and comfortable.
(4)Amir T.
These folks know how Persian way of grilling works and they master it... at least in comparison with other Iranian eateries me and my wife have tried in Boston area they sit on the top. We've dined at Sabzi for more than a handful of times ever since they opened their business a few years ago... and one of the good-review-makers of this place is their consistency, quality-wise and portion-wise. The last time we ate at Sabzi, we had barg-kabob and Cornish-jujeh... both juicy and just melted ... turning our Sunday evening dining experience indeed a copacetic one... and our serveur, Khosrow, was in one word, AWESOME! That said and to the downsides of this place, if you are looking for non-grilled stew-type options, you'd definitely need to look elsewhere as their menu is pretty much limited to kabobs only... which is not necessarily a bad thing... they just do what they are good at. As for side orders, we tried their shirazi-salad and mast-o-khiar... both mediocre IMO... and Sabzi... sorry ... but right there you lose a star out of 5! Other than that, thanks for all the rest and keep on rocking! :-)
(4)Alex B.
Been many times and the food is always consistent and delicious.
(5)Cee C.
What a fun little place! Service and food was great. I would suggest the chicken skewer
(5)Sne G.
Good service but everything else was just bland...Casual ambiance with casual food. The vegetarian option was not impressive. Overall I felt that whatever we ordered (2 dips as appetizers, 1 chicken kabob and 1 veggie kabob) could have been just as easily prepared at home for 1/2 the price.
(2)Armin F.
Really cute little hidden gem in Arlington. This restaurant can be conveniently reached with bus 77 from Harvard sq. The ash-reshte was delicious. The rice was really well prepared basmati and both the kubideh and lamb kebap were prepared absolute Persian style. Would recommend this place as one of the better Persian restaurants ... Probably the best in Boston. Thumbs up.
(4)PJ A.
Super cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, and delicious food. Rice so good it could stand up as the main course, and the kabobs will blow your mind.
(5)Nariman R.
The kabobs are fantastic. But it is a small restaurant and if you go there without reservation, there is a big chance there will be no empty table.
(5)Michael K.
I have driven past Sabzi so many times, and I'm so glad I finally had a chance to try it out. We had a great dinner here. It was a weeknight, so the place was quiet, and our waitress was able to take time to answer our many questions. I'm not very familiar with Persian cuisine, so this was a great help. Obviously, my unfamiliarity precludes my being able to make an effective judgement as to the authenticity of the cuisine, but I will say that everything was delicious and perfectly prepared. The flavors were subtle and rich, and my girlfriend and I were very happy with everything we ordered. The interior of this place is is small, but the atmosphere is warm, dark, and comfortable. There is also a nice little bar, and a decent wine selection.
(4)Ari J.
Love the atmosphere tried their joujeh Ana Kaskho bademjan loved it .mastomosir is great too.sometimes not enough staff.
(4)Simon L.
A corner spot just East of Arlington Center on Mass Ave belies the humble but delicious Persian fare served at Sabzi. An inviting Entryway enclosed by heavy velour curtains opens to a small hostess stand and wall seating of benches and small tables for 24 people. A raised ceiling gives the room a sense of greater space. Quick, polite, personal service commences immediately. The menu is simple and focused. Appetizers include several yogurts mixed with shallots, garlic or cucumbers, sauteed eggplant, a typical tomato cucumber red onion salad or a traditional noodle soup and range in price from $3 - $6.25. This visit included an order of the Mast o Musir ($4.75), a Yogurt and Persian shallot dip served with warm, slightly crisped pita slices. Excellent and creamy, the dip provides wonderful addition to the rice and meat of the main dish. The Persepolis ($15.25, a chelo kabab combination plate, includes the Kabab-e kubideh, incredibly tender ground beef seasoned with sumac, onion and house seasoning, and the Kabab-e Jujeh Barg, moist chicken breast marinated in saffron and citrus. The meat is served off the skewer and around a large bed of steamed basmati rice and saffron rice with a grilled tomato and pickled cabbage. The rice is moist to the point of being practically buttery. The tomato is grilled to bring out the sweetness and mixes pairs well with both the chicken and the beef and of course the rice. Kabab-e Kubideh explodes with sweetness. The meat is juicy and fragrant with serious tones of cinnamon, parsley and the tart sumac. Simply the most inspiring kabab I have sampled. Kabab-e Jujeh Barg is equally delicious. Soft and supple, the lemon is infused wonderfully into the meat and stands up well to the sweetness of the beef. Substitutions of various kababs and various plates can be made for modest amounts. Nothing on the menu tops out over $16.25. Three red and two white wines from France, Italy and Spain can be had for $5 a glass. Four varieties of beer take care of those looking for a hoppier beverage. Dessert is only baklava - not sampled this time but judging by the rest of the food should be excellent. Perfect for a first date, a romantic night out or even for an inexpensive alternative to the many pricier spots in Cambridge, Somerville and even Arlington. This is a place you will love and I highly recommend trying at your first opportunity.
(5)Milad G.
Love the place, cozy small restaurant has a nice ambiance. Very good and friendly service. The food was really great. If your a meat lover be sure to get the Barg Kabab and if your the chicken lover be sure to get their amazing Joojeh Barg Kabab. This is one of the best Persian restaurant in Boston.
(5)Hussain A.
The most racist place I've ever been too! They give priority to Persian customers over others. We were first in the waiting list and waited for 45 minutes outside, since there's no waiting area inside. As soon as a group of people left a table, they would give priority to Persians who were second in the waiting list behind us. The manager said we have to wait, even though we got there before others, and she was very disrespectful to us. Needless to say we were speechless and very disappointed after seeing this with our eyes. I don't recommend this place, the atmosphere is not welcoming and the place is too small, unless you want to waste your time.
(1)Apple M.
This is the place to have Iranian kabob. The kubideh is fantastic. The Cornish hen (joojeh with bone) is fabulous. When I think of sabzi, I have to just go there. The thought of their kabob doesn't leave me. The best kebob place around here! Thanks!
(5)