Kassra Restaurant

This is a low-key Persian restaurant in Laguna Niguel. Intimate ambiance for good conversation. Persian music wafting in background. Owner Nasser Abuzied is showering this restaurant with a lot of TLC since the closure of his restaurant/nightclub, Cafe 360, in the same shopping center. He uses only fresh ingredients at Kassra.
Interesting tidbit: Abuzied gets his saffron straight from Iran. His mother-in-law brings it when she comes to visit. This saffron infuses a lot of the dishes, including saffron rice and saffron ice cream. The saffron ice cream is the most unique ice cream I have ever tasted.

What I ate:
Lamb shank marinated with fresh herbs and tomato paste surrounded by a ginormous amount of basmati rice (made with dill weed and lima beans). The lamb is so tender that it falls off the shank easily. Saffron rice tops this dish. Optional sauce of yogurt, infused with shallots and garlic. This sauce provided a cold and tangy counterpoint to the lamb's richness. $12.99

Also tried the Marinated Boneless Chicken, with dark meat, served with charbroiled tomato and a heaping portion of saffron rice. The chicken was very moist and enhanced by a homemade dressing, made with balsamic vinegar, mayonnaise and spices. $12.99.

For dessert:Don't pass up the saffron ice cream, infused with rose water. Much lighter than most ice creams. Has a powdery texture from the saffron. A great palate cleanser. $4.50

Also good is the homemade tiramisu, which is much lighter than other tiramisus I have had.

Watch for:
Sunday lunch buffet starting in March



Restaurant info:
www.kassrarestaurant.com