Dining in Dushanbe: Sim Sim

by Adrienne Wilson on

I’m not entirely sure when Sim Sim came into existence or why it didn’t make guidebooks, but all that doesn’t really matter. If you’re searching for live over-the-top entertainment, decent dishes and a chance to hob-knob with some of Dushanbe’s upper-class you’ve found the right place.

Before entering listen closely for the warm welcome into Sim Sim. It’ll be hard to miss as the boisterous fellow dressed as a Mongol man from some fairy-tale time long ago will be sure to make his presence known there and throughout the evening. Walk up the steps and proceed to your table after passing through the guards staffed with spears and shields. Sim Sim is all show so it’s advised you have the time to make it a full night and the energy as well. As your make your order sway to the sounds of Celine Dion hits sung by Tajik karaoke singers in addition to traditional Tajik tunes as well. The singers come across pretty lifeless, but the real show begins after you’ve placed your order. Complete with belly dancers, traditional Tajik dancers and skits by our Mongol pals in the castle it gets pretty wild, a little tacky, but you’re sure to laugh and have a ball of a time. (If you’re geeked up about dining in a place like Sim Sim feel free to check out my very poorly produced video clip from my night out.)

In regards to the food, I believe I received the wrong dish or the remixed version of it that night. I had requested the Khasray Kastle, a beef roll with asparagus, but what showed up didn’t really taste like beef and had peas with no asparagus to be found. Disappointed? Yes and I was far too tired to send the dish back after waiting 30 plus minutes for it in the first place.

To wrap it up the food is so-so, but the good times non-stop. Sim Sim is not located on the main drag so you’ll just need to ask a taxi driver to take you there and you’ll be on your way.

Salamati!

Dining in Dushanbe: Merve

by Adrienne Wilson on

Dushanbe isn’t NYC, it isn’t Paris, and it most certainly isn’t Rome. In other words it may not be the most high-trafficked culinary city in terms of tourism, but having had the opportunity to dine out around town quite often I feel it my duty to dish the 411 on the good and bad plates in this big Central Asian city. To kick it off I’ll start with Merve.

Merve makes Lonely Planet’s Author’s Choice and for good reason. Affordable, tasty meals with friendly wait-staff make this one a real winner. For the first two weeks of my stay, Merve was the breakfast stop for me and my Habitat GV companions every morning. Start the day with a small yoghurt, sausage omelet, or Turkish pizza – three menu items that quickly became personal favorites. Initially the sausage has an awkward taste, but it grows on you. I’m told its chicken sausage since pork can’t really be found in Dushanbe. Mornings are pretty quiet at the Turkish cafe, but things start getting really busy around 11 AM and stay busy until closing time. If you check in for lunch, grab the donar kebab. It can be prepared on a sandwich, but go for the shredded meat over rice. Dishes range from 2TJS-7TJS.

There are two locations in Dushanbe, though the most popular appears to be that found at Rudaki 92.

Taste of the Ivory Coast in the NYC

by Adrienne Wilson on

Treichville may be a neighborhood in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, but it is also a restaurant in New York City, both of which I have never explored personally. However, for a sampling of the Ivory Coast and for less than half the cost one may consider swinging in for some fare. This Village Voice piece does a fine job taking us to the real Treichville by describing its bustling open-air markets, transportation terminals and nightclubs complete with French influence, yet the most African part of town. And just as quickly as the writer takes us across the Atlantic he ships us back across to the Treichville located at 339 East 118th Street, NYC where crab legs, mussels, clams, and shrimp can all be found on the menu.

From the sound of the piece it looks worth filling your tummy with a plate full. Again, I’ve never been, but if I were near by, without a question I’d be fueling up too.

Java Blues – Springerville, AZ

by Adrienne Wilson on

After hours on the road coming out of Quemado, NM or Show Low, AZ Java Blues won’t be the most recognizable on the small Springerville stretch, but you can count on it being the most appetizing and healthier of choices. The happy humming establishment is bound to please the most finicky taste buds whether you settle in for a warm cup of coffee, fresh fruit cup, or tuna salad sandwich on butter croissant. Those rolling through the area later in the day might want to stop in for happy hour Monday to Saturday from 4 to 6 PM where the appetizers are $3.50 and you can score a $1 off beers and wines. I stopped in twice in less than 24 hours spent in the town. Great staff, awesome atmosphere and delectable dishes.

Java Blues is located at 341 E. Main St., Springerville, AZ 85938. Ph. 928.333.5282.

The Rock Cafe – Stroud, Oklahoma

by Adrienne Wilson on

Alligator burger in Oklahoma?

My curiosity peaked when I saw it on the menu and for as long as I’ve lived in Florida you’d imagined I’d be a pro at sampling the scaly reptile, but the opportunity was never there. OK, well I didn’t exactly go looking for the opportunity either, but when I saw gator burger on the Rock Cafe menu I was willing to give it a go. The description under the burger was something to the effect of alligator meat prepped like an old fashioned salmon patty with regular burger toppings. You know – lettuce, tomato and pickles on the spicy side. Still a little untrusting of the meat, I ordered an additional hamburger in the event the gator didn’t agree with my belly.

Then it was there. It sat there right before me. I suppose I was looking for an alligator snout underneath the bun, but all I found was a patty that could have been a turkey burger for all I knew, but it was gator. Without thinking further I sunk my teeth into the juicy burger as if I had been nursed on the meat all my life and I liked it. I actually enjoyed it and I still had one more hamburger there waiting to wash down the first. Considering I also had a root beer float, I’m sure glad I didn’t get sick.

Should you find yourself cruising down the Historic Route 66 in Stroud, Oklahoma, make sure to stop at the Rock Cafe to create your own Oklahoma gator burger stories. The diner serves an assortment of burgers, po-boy’s, nachos, salads, and breakfast all for a highly reasonable price.

The Rock Cafe is located at 114 W. Main Street, Stroud, OK 74079. Ph. 918.968.3990.