Attari Part II: The Secret of Ab-Goosht

On my previous visit to Attari Sandwich Shop, I noticed an item on the menu, Ab-Goosht, that was only available on Fridays. I was intrigued by this mysterious lamb dish so went back last Friday for a late lunch to sample it for myself. (Photo above)

When I arrived past 3 pm for a late lunch, I was surprised to find the courtyard packed and most of the inside tables occupied. I dutifully ordered the Ab-Goosht and then waited for the mystery to reveal itself.

The Ab-Goosht is $10.50 and is served with pita bread, torshi (pickles), onions and sabzi (leafy herb). Ab-Goosht is a Persian lamb stew made with chickpeas, onions, potatoes and spices. After cooking, the solid lamb and vegetables are strained from the broth and mashed up into a thick chunky puree, which was served alongside the broth, as well as the chunk of onion, pickles and greens/herbs.

I was not sure how to eat it in the traditional manner, so improvised. I placed some pickles, greens, mashed lamb puree, and onions into a pita and then drizzled some of the soup in to give it some juicy flavor. I then ate the pita sandwiches and the soup separately. Whether traditional or not, I enjoyed using the broth as both a soup and as a sauce for the sandwich.

The broth had a deep rich flavor, from all the lamb, onion, chickpeas etc that had been cooking in it, and so the soup was delicious. As much as I love lamb, I found the sandwich component only OK. Pureed, almost pate consistency is not my favorite way to consume lamb. I preferred the tongue sandwich from my prior visit.

Ab-Goosht appeared to be a clear draw for Attari as there were people waiting for tables when I was done with my meal, despite the late hour for lunch or early hour for dinner. Ab-Goosht is traditional Persian home cooking, which likely accounts for some of the draw. If you are a fan of pate sandwiches, then this is the lunch for you.



Photos: Lamb meat puree (above) and soup broth (below)

Attari Sandwich Shop: 1388 Westwood Blvd @ Wilkins, Westwood. Telephone: (310) 441-5488. No Website. Closed on Mondays.

Attari Part I: A sandwich shop even more powerful than the 2600

Attari Sandwich Shop is hidden away in a courtyard in a building on Westwood Blvd amidst the stretch of Persian businesses that line Westwood from Wilshire to La Grange. The unobtrusive location is no hindrance to business as the patio tables are crowded with fans hungry for their popular tongue sandwich, oliveh chicken sandwich and the ab-goosht soup (served only on Fridays).

Simon Majumdar of Los Dos Hermanos and I stopped by recently to try their well known tongue sandwich and some borani (a yogurt dip with spinach).

The tongue sandwich was served on a baguette and has some tart pickles, lettuce and tomato, along with the slices of tongue in a baguette. The portion is quite large. The pickles really assert themselves in this sandwich and the texture of the tongue was softer than I had expected.

The borani was refreshing and a nice light counterpoint to the sandwich. If we had been eating spicy food, it would have made a great antidote.

It is quite pleasant to sit in the courtyard at lunch and eat at a leisurely pace.

Note: the entrance to the restaurant/patio is on Wilkins.

Attari Sandwich Shop: 1388 Westwood Blvd @ Wilkins, Westwood. Telephone: (310) 441-5488. No Website. Closed on Mondays.