by Cheryl K.
The jury is still out on Yalda's. We SO want to like this place--it's refreshing to find an unusual new restaurant in Horsham. Agree with most points Pat D. made, especially with regard to the delicious appetizer, Baunjaun Bouranee. We've visited twice, and wish we just could have sat eating several orders of Afghan bread and Bouranee. It's heaven in a dish! But we have yet to find an entree that sends us into orbit in the same way. The gyros were average. Hubby found the murgh jaan (chicken with spinach and mozzarella) to be disappointingly bland. Better to go with kabobs or their wonderful lamb dishes. The traditional rice accompaniment with carrots and raisins is fascinating and delicious. Since the prices are so reasonable, we expect to return again to eat our way through the menu until we find a perfect entree to go with the superb appetizers! I must also mention that you can't be in a hurry at Yalda's. Go see your movie BEFORE dinner! But if you have time to wait, it's worth the experience to get some alternative food in Horsham!
by Khalid S.
I'd have to say this is one of the coolest and newest ways of marketing your business, please read the first review on Yalda :)I was here couple weekends ago on a lazy Sunday afternoon, we had Kabli rice, some kind of chicken and short ribs, forgot what they're called here. Ribs were the best of all. Really juicy and tender. Nice place, cool decor on the walls.
by Maria V.
This is one of my favorite places, my husband and I have eaten here many times over the last couple years, we've tried almost everything on the menu, we've brought friends, spent 2 new years eves, a couple birthdays, and even my in-laws 30th anniversary here. The family is wonderfully warm and sweet, if you come in a few times you'll feel like family. The crowd ranges from packed to empty, the service is usually good, sometimes the new waitstaff takes some breaking in however, and on busy nights it can be very slow going but the food is always amazing. Don't go in a hurry, use take-out when you don't have time to wait (although still allow about 20 minutes for that) but when you have time to sit down and enjoy a meal go, with friends and a couple bottles of wine and i promise if you are patient you will rewarded.
by Anna D.
I changed my review after further thought but I'd be willing to give it a second shot. Consider this a 2.5 star score. The food was very tasty. However, I got sick the next day. Not sure if it is a direct correlation but I think it was good enough that I'd be willing to go back and try again. Horsham needs some spice up there and hopefully my Irish stomach can handle it next time! LOVE that it is a BYOB, with no corking charge (esp since my boyfriend's house is walking distance). Definitely did not like the dessert, I'm not used to baklava being warm or so doughy tasting. I'm pretty sure the microwave does not do wonders for that dessert. Looking forward to the next time....i think.
by Pat D.
I have been dying to go to this place for quite a while. After all, no Chowser's resume would be complete without a visit to an Afghani restaurant. Anyway, it was my birthday in my family the birthday person gets to choose their venue.This place is easy to miss. It sits in a tiny strip of stores just off Easton Road/Rt. 611, across from the Days Inn, on Horsham Road. I think it used to be a pizza place in its former life. Very unassuming from the outside, grimy actually. Still looks like a pizza parlor inside, but decorated with an Afghan theme. Forget how it looks; you are here for the food.There were 5 of us: DH, Darling Daughter Wonderful son-in-law, and one-and-only Sister (amazing brother-in-law- is in China teaching an MBA class).. We came armed with numerous bottles of wine and a stash of beer. Our server was a young man who had worked at Yalda for 2 years, hence knew the menu inside out. He had a good sense of humor, and guided us through the menu.Instead of bread, they bring a plate of something resembling pita, but much thicker. Still warm. It's served with a green "salsa", that our server called chutney (although it was very smooth not the least bit chunky), and was made with cilantro, a lot of garlic and something spicy. Very good. Sensing that we might like another dish, he asked if we would like to try something spicier, then brought out a chutney made with raspberries. He warned us not to use too much. My DH, who usually loves very spicy food, and is not know for his ability to heed advice on hot stuff, slathered it on his bread, took a bite, turned bright red, downed an entire bottle of beer, and said "holt sh*t!". We had a selection of hot apps, served as one dish: Baunjaun Bouranee (grilled eggplant), Sambosay Goshti (fried pastries filled with ground beef), and Mantu (wonton-like dumplings topped with homemade yogurt, meat sauce mint). Amazing!! Also a plate of Baba Gunush, which was wonderfully fresh garlicky.Although they specialize in kabobs, only DH WSIL opted to go that route. Both had the Deluxe Kabob, which was 2 skewers @ of chicken, beef lamb, served with grilled veggies and rice. Everyone at the table chose the same rice: brown rice with carrots raisins. OOS loves salmon, so she had one of the specials, Salmon Masala. It had Indian masala overtones she virtually licked her plate clean. DD had the entree portion of one of the dished that had been on our app plate, Mantu. It was embarrassing to hear her moans of pleasure as she ate. I had a dish that our server said was one of his faves, Murgh Jaan, sautéed boneless chicken breast with fresh spinach, mushrooms, topped with mozzarella cheese a lemon wine sauce. Beautifully presented, it was absolutely wonderful. The sauce was not clear, as I had expected, but a little creamier. Very light, but very satisfying. I licked my plate as well (just kidding). We all had desserts: Some chose a vanilla ice cream topped with a saffron rosewater sauce, and some had Firnee, and Afghan pudding that was similar to flan, but firmer. Total bill for 5, including tax? Are your ready? $105. On the way out,, I saw take-away boxes of Afghan sweets took home 2 kinds, a pistachio halwa something that looked like tiny orange funnel cakes glazed with syrup (I have since discovered that it is very much like the Indian treat jaleb). We cracked the boxes open in the parking lot, and swooned as we all sampled.My DD had noticed a bunch of hookahs stashed behind a curtain asked the owner as we were leaving if we could have one next time. He grinned tried to talk us into doing one right then there. "Next time", we said. And believe me, there will be a next time! You have to try this place. Don't get dressed up -- just go. Don't be dissuaded by how the place looks outside -- take that leap of faith. Go with a few friends -- it's more fun with a group. Don't forget your wine and/or beer don't forget to buy some of those sweets on the way out. If you see some crazy lady in the corner licking her plate, that will be me.http://www.yaldagrill....
