I have lived in Denver for over a year before going to this restaurant. I love Persian food. I've had lots of it from different cooks (including persian friends and myself(a Cuban)). Everyone cooks slightly different but a good eater knows good food- and the food was excellent. I definitely felt like I was at a family's home. The owners, a married couple, or so nice. And Alma, the kitchen staff, also very nice. I'd recommend this place to anyone in Denver! I loved it and can't wait to go back and take some of my friends! Try tr Gormeh Sabzi, te Iranian national dish:-) noushe jan!(Bon appetite)
Rosa
I came to Darya with a Persian coworker, who had a hankering to see what Denver had to offer in his homeland cuisine. Being a big fan of Persian food myself, how could I refuse?
Negatives:
 -- No fesenjan on the menu (p.s. best dish on the planet)
 -- Gormeh sabzi is on the menu, but they tell you it takes a super long time (so why have it on the menu?)
-- No liquor license, so no beer or wine
-- My beef kabob was tough as nails
Positves:
-- Mirza ghasemi appetizer was very tasty (curried eggplant w/ egg)
-- Koubideh kabob was moist and tasty
Decor is slightly hole-in-the-wall and a bit dated; The staff were nice.
But I have to be honest. Comparing this to all the other Persian spots I've tried around the U.S., it just doesn't measure up.
I am actually torn between giving them a 4 and a 3. The owners are sweet and polite.And some of the grub is seriously good.
Mirza Ghasemi blew my socks off! Its so good as a dip for the very warm pita they serve you. Eggplants with Eggs! Now there is an eggplant that actually has eggs in it!
It was freezing cold after an early shower of snow, so when we got in we ordered some Persian tea. Fabulous!  My Hubz did not even notice that he did not add sugar to it and he easily adds a couple of  packets  to his tea/coffee  [And he does not put on weight! some people!! :|(   ]
But I digress.. back to Darya -
We ordered two of their entrees - Baghali Polo & Mahicheh which they make weekends only. Â This basically is described as lamb shank cooked with Persian spices, herbs and onion. Served with specially steamed top quality basmati rice with lima beans and dill weed. Â
The other one we ordered was the Zereshk Poloe & Morgh - Chicken breast, thighs and legs cooked to perfection with Persian spices saffron, barberries (currents), Onion and raisons served with specially steamed top quality basmati rice.
The Baghali polo was the one I was hoping would wow me. But it did not. It was a perfectly cooked lamb shank.. meat fell off the bones etc etc BUT it did not have any great flavors.And No lima beans in the rice or any dill weed .. sigh!
the Zereshk poloe was very interesting. the berries that they topped the rice with were tart and very fun to eat with rice. this dish had a lot of flavor  and was really good.
Very friendly service and we might go back for the kabobs. But not for the lamb shank!
The sign above Darya Restaurant just says: "Middle Eastern Restaurant" so I stopped in to get some hummus and baba ganoush. Â This is a Persian restaurant and they dont have baba ganoush. Â They do however have something very delicious made with eggplant called Mirza Ghasemi. Â Described on their menu as: "Authentic Persian Dish from the north, Baked Eggplant with garlic and tomatoes mixed with eggs and Persian spices served with hot bread " Â This is made from scratch when you order so expect a little wait. Â The description didnt do much for me but I ordered it anyway and was very pleased. Â The Persian spices were delightful. Â The hummus was excellent too. Â The owner was very friendly and the interior is nicely decorated. Â They have lunch specials here which sound pretty good in case you're nearby at lunchtime!
Review Source:In addition to Anthony's Pizza and Thai Pepper II, the shopette on Dartmouth between Parker and Havana also boasts a lesser-known delight in Darya Restaurant.
Run by an affable Persian couple, Darya offers some seldom-seen (in this part of town anyway) morsels from the Middle East.
Hankering for a juicy kebab? Try the Kobideh - ground beef hand-formed around a skewer, grilled and served with flatbread, a squishy roasted tomato and some buttery yellow-and-white rice.
Were you thinking of a lighter meal? Perhaps a dip, like Mast-O-Mousir (yogurt and shallots) or Mirza Ghasemi (roasted eggplants and eggs) is more likely to titillate you.
Ah, you want a stew. How about Ghormeh Sabzi, packed with a variety of greens and beans, lamb and dried lime? Or Ghaimeh Bamia, a similarly meaty mouthful for you okra lovers out there.
Any way you slice (or dip, or spoon) it, Darya has got you covered, Don't forget a salty glass of Doogh (yogurt and mint drink - no alcohol here!) and a Sholeh Zard (rose-saffron rice pudding, with a cute little cinnamon palm tree on the top) to finish things off nicely.
SUNDAY June 14th 2009 :
Lunch time :
Drove to Darya Restaurant, with Hubs and my parents for a lunch treat after running around this neighborhood for some errands. Â Darya Restaurant is located in the Fairview Shopping Center on Dartmouth Ave between Parker Rd and Havana St. Â Its located a couple doors away from Thai Pepper II that I have visited recently.
When we first arrived we were greeted by a man. Â His name is Hassan Soleimani. Â He opened this restaurant since November 2005. Â He is friendly and very accomodating.
We ordered these :
1 set of Kabob Koubideh. Â This set contains one grilled skewer of seasoned ground beef toped with chopped tomatoes, onions and parsley with optional house yogurt sauce on the side served with hot bread.
3 sets of  Baghali Polo & Mahicheh.  This dish were of fresh tender lamb shanks cooked with Persian spices, herbs and onion. Served with specially steamed top quality basmati rice with lima beans and dill weed.  From what we know this dish are only served on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
So we were lucky to sample the Baghali Polo.
First several pita breads were served. Â We ordered the Persian tea and 2 Apple Juice for my parents.
A plate of salads were given each to us while waiting for our main entree to be cooked.
Unfortunately we Were NOT WOW by the Baghali Polo.  My dad likes the dish he ordered which was the Kabob Koubideh  I hope to return to try out other dishes stated in the menu provided Hubs are keen to try them out.
All in all good service, but OK food. Â After our lunch we are stuffed and another family were also there having their lunch.
Darya Restaurant & Hookah Bar
(Persian Cuisine)
10890 E. Darmouth Ave
Unit 4
Denver, CO 80014
Tel : (303)-750-4326
Fax : (303)-750-8532
<a href="/redir?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.daryarestaurant.net&s=b99832a6423299d73e15c912ee7d2e74f4b70b5227a23e374702f6a721ac516f" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.daryarestaura…</a>
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