Azerbaijan: The Undiscovered Country

I stumbled into Azerbaijan Grill a few years ago, and have never really left.  Prior to finding this unassuming Middle Eastern restaurant, I doubt that I would have been able to easily locate Azerbaijan on a map.  Now I feel like it could be a second home.

I wandered in this restaurant  when the wait for a table the neighboring Italian restaurant was too long.  The burgundy and white interior was elegant, simple and welcoming.  My party was seated by the host/owner.  We all selected the lunch special.  The price was unbelievably low, and we spent the entire meal waiting a “catch” which never showed up.

I started with the babaganosh, a blend of oven roasted eggplant, olive oil and tahini.  The flavor was delicate and smooth.  I followed with the salmon shish kebab, but substituted shirazi salad (cucumber & tomato) for the rice.  The salmon was perfectly prepared – light, moist and tender.   The shirazi salad was crisp and tasty.  (Now a staple for me with every meal at Azerbaijan.)  A refreshing rose ice cream made for dessert.   I was hooked!  I have now made my way through almost every item on the menu, and was only disappointed once. A Wednesday evening special featuring a preserved lemon definitely lost something in the translation, but to each his/her own.

The service at Azerbaijan can be a bit erratic, mainly because preferential treatment is given to “family & friends.”  Fortunately, you are considered “family” on your second visit!  I was greeting like a long lost sister upon my second visit.  The host/owner remembered  my previous order, and substituted the rice for the salad shirazi.  He also inquired about my companions from my first visit.  So if  takes a little longer for someone to take your order while the host makes a fuss about a regular, come back a second time so someone can make a fuss over you.

I no longer work near Azerbaijan, but I regularly make the 25 mile trip, and have even considered the longer journey to the actual country.  If you are near Westbury, NY, it is worth the trip. The food is light and tasty. The prices are unbelievably low, and the host makes you feel like family. I have never been back to that neighboring Italian restaurant, and do not quite recall the name; however, I should probably stop in to thank them for leading me to the undiscovered country next door.

Azerbaijan Grill

1610 Old Country Road, Westbury NY   (516) 228-0001 www.azerbaijangrill.com