Shiraz (corner of Montrose and Cicero, no link found) is a new Persian restaurant. The interior decor is very nice, though it suffers from being in a poor location. The food is potentially good, but since it is new, the attendance is sparse and I suspect that the kitchen staff does not feel as motivated to get fresh food as it would if there were lots of people going to the restaurant and fresh food was constantly in demand. The wait staff was nice, but at times, they just seemed lost and incapable of following directions or carrying out requests.
My kabab? I asked for it medium, but it turned out to be more on the well-done side. My rice? Good grief, how much salt are we supposed to put in that again? The restaurant does not yet have a liquor license and its capability in processing certain forms of payment appears to be limited.
I almost didn't want to write this review. I wanted instead to let Shiraz get its bearings, and then go again when it had and when the crowds were bigger. I might yet do that. But even though I am not prepared to write them off, I have definitely had better meals. Better Persian meals as well. Despite the fact that it may be going through some growing pains, I see no reason why Shiraz could not have come out with more of a bang. And if they don't do so soon, this restaurant may not be long for the Chicago culinary world.
