Dmood

We finally got around to visiting Dmood recently- a great little Persian restaurant in University Heights (not to be confused with the far inferior Soltan Banoo). I always enjoy visiting University Heights which seems to have a new restaurant opening up each month.- a really fun neighborhood that I should remember to frequent more often, given its relative proximity to North Park.
As I say we had been meaning to visit the place for a while, although slightly put off by a friend's tale of $8 an wages for those chefs straight out of culinary school. Seemed a little cheap. anyway despite the poorly paid chefs the restaurant turned out to be just wonderful. The decor very attractive, warm a great Persian feel without pretentiousness. Just what one would like from a neighborhood restaurant. Everything looked great and interesting from the multicolored water glasses to the oriental pillows scattered about the place. The staff were very helpful, although a little too enthusiastic in trying to persuade us to order more than we cared for.
We started with a little cone of shoe-string fries- Part potato and part sweet potato. These had been billed by our server as the best fries ever and they certainly did not disappoint. Perhaps not the best ever, but certainly top notch. For the main course i tucked into a plate of chicken massala which was great, although a little tricky to eat, and with meat that was slightly overcooked. My wife was delighted with her choice of a balsamic onion tart and bowl of squash soup- her only disappointment being the absence of the crispy leeks promised on the menu. Still it was a great pairing of foods, a nice chance to try a couple of things .
All in all, great restaurant. Can't wait to try a few more items soon.