If you know Montreal, and love Duluth as much as I do, you've definitely noticed this place. The front of the restaurant has really intricate wood panelling that beckons you inside.
On one of our Friday-night dinner expeditions with my trusty group of friends, instead of the merry group of three we became the merry group of about 9 people, each equipped with their own bottle of wine/liquor. I guess we took BYOW quite seriously this time...
Once we were all set up at our huge table, corks began popping and wine a-flowing. The huge table next to ours turned out to also be a flock of our young student acquaintances. The interior was a little deceptive, basking in a gloomy yellowish light. Random decorations vaguely linked to Afghanistan parsimoniously covered the walls.
The menus were reasonably priced, offering basic choices of Afghan food. I ordered the set menu, which was around $30, and included an entrée, main course and a dessert. The service was busy, overflowing with thirsty, like-minded students, and though the waiting in between dishes was not too long, you still felt it.
I started off with the soup, which was unpleasantly salty. The wine helped quench that thirst, but because we had so many different bottles shared amongst us, I can only remember a couple. I had brought a white wine from Pays D'Oc, made by Québecois with a Moose design on the front. Though produced in France, it was very Québecois - rustic and unrefined, but with a character that I think one would appreciate with veal, rabbit or some sort of white, tougher meat.
The next course was probably the only highlight of the meal. I had a braised lamb shank in Oriental spices which fell off the bone, was flavourful and tender. It was also a large portion which quickly satisfied my hunger, but as it was quite tasty I finished it all. The rice that accompanied the meat was also flavourful with hints of dill and lemon, and I think that by that point I was pleasantly drunk enough and hungry to finish all of it. With it, I remember having a glass of St Emilion which was advertised at the SAQ around September, a very pleasant wine, but one that my boss would describe as the "eager lover"- pleasant in the first sips, he flirts with you in a very simple and boyish manner, but quickly all substance and complexity evaporates.
Finally the dessert. It was literally a creamy, hot mess. An orange or rose flavoured warm cream was served in front of us, and was abland excuse for flavour and texture. I'm surprised there was nothing with poppy seeds in it, I mean, isn't that the main export of Afghanistan?
We topped it all off with a sweet white wine, which I cannot recall, as by that point in the night we were essentially drunk. It was definitely a pleasant time with friends, and if you're on a budget and planning to get rambunctious, I would definitely recommend it. Just be sure to make your own atmosphere, because I'm sure the couples next to us weren't really enjoying our sloppy banter.
To sum it all up:
Khyber Pass
506 Duluth E.
Cost : $35 plus tip
Wine: $20
Food : 5/10
Service: 5/10
Drunkenness: 8/10
Atmosphere : 5/10
Overall : 5/10
Good place for decent sized student groups to have a good time
Next up, maybe a bar review?
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