Barbari: Persian + Pizza in Ukrainian Village

I've been remiss in starting a thread for Barbari, especially since it's in my neighborhood, and I've been worried that business has been dangerously slow. Barbari opened last fall on Chicago Ave. near Damen, on the same block as Chickpea and Sunrise Cafe in one of those cursed spaces, previously occupied by a heat lamp pizza joint or three.

I had a moment of excitement when I thought the new restaurant's name might be a reference to Jacopo de Barbari, the 15th-century printmaker and painter famous for his woodcut map of Venice and tromp l'oeil panel paintings. Turns out barbari is also the word for Iranian flatbread. Good enough for me. Here's said flatbread:



Barbari offers several fresh soups daily, which seemed like the way to go with bread. I can't remember the name of this soup, and it looks quite slimy (not mloukhieh slimy), but it was entirely worthwhile...hearty yet healthful with various vegetables, beans and fresh herbs.



I've also had Barbari's pizza, this one with Bari sausage and mushrooms:



I will say that Roots' sausage pizza with Quad Cities crust down the street has become my favorite thing to eat in the neighborhood, so Bari's crust seemed rather flavorless in comparison, but it is an entirely respectable pizza--the sausage really sings, and the crust has a very enjoyable chew.

I've also tried the kuku sabzi at Barbari, which is a food I generally really like and was excited to see on the menu. (It's not called kuku sabzi but rather Emerald Slice.) I found Barbari's version more eggy than the homemade versions I've had, and it lacked barberries. I probably won't order this again knowing what it could be. However, those who've never had kuku sabzi should try it.

I've seen more traffic to Barbari since the holidays. I wish them well. Also BYOB and (maybe?) free wi-fi.

Barbari
2020 W. Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60622
773-342-8220
http://barbarichicago.com/

Funny to see kuku on a menu. It's traditionally eaten @ funerals.

I actually wasn't in love with the bread (I had one good piece but the rest were tough and dry), and thought the soup to be rather bland. But, the Salad Olivieh was awesome and I highly recommend it. I've only been once, but will give it another try. If you want some great fresh bread, I do recommend Caravan next to The Green Mill - not barbari, but Persian naan that is stellar.

Jazzfood wrote:Funny to see kuku on a menu. It's traditionally eaten @ funerals.

I thought it was associated with Nowruz, the celebration of the vernal equinox.

In The New Book of Middle Eastern Food Claudia Roden wrote:Kuku-ye Sabsi. The traditional Iranian New Year's Day specialty is made with a number of green herbs and leaves. Its greenness is a symbol of fruitfulness in the coming year, bringing prosperity and happiness.

That may be, but working for the largest Persian caterer in S.Cal (and Kosher to boot) it was a standard dish @ funerals. We never served it any other time.