Making the most of a bad weekend part 1: Reza, Oak Brook

This weekend we went to probably the second-worst run science fiction convention I have had the bad luck to attend, "To Be Continued" in Downers Grove. After reading a number of posts here, I came armed with a list to avoid the factory food nearby (Cheesecake Factory, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and other cheesy places).

Friday night, Mrs. F and I went to Reza's: 40 N Tower Rd, Oak Brook.

We had a very nice meal of waaaay too much food. Their "set dinners" run $21.95-$25.95 with a choice of 3 (or 4 at the highest) appetizers, and 3 entrees (with the higher ones including some of the more expensive dishes). We hit the lowest end, and were not at all disappointed.

The appetizer tray is like an entire relish tray or Indian thali: along with our hummos (very creamy), falafel (room temperature and a little dry, but tasty; and yellow, lacking fava), and skewered shrooms (one of the house specialities, delicious and meaty), there were pieces of feta, radishes, tahina sauce and "persian salad" (cukes, tomatoes, onions and parsley, in desperate need of the tahina). This tray alone, would have been a nice light dinner, including delicious sesame flatbread.

But wait, there's more!
An herby tomato soup that probably shares a heritage with mulligatawny followed, very very good.

And then the entrees:
Barg is a big strip of steak off the skewer. Very tender and flavorful from marinade.

Fessenjen is cornish hen in a walnut-pomegranate sauce. It looked, had the texture (and probably stains) like a mole, but with a very raspberry-like flavor, sweet and sour and bitter and rich. On the main menu it's also offered with duck.

Lamb Shank was gooey gelatinous, tasty with veggies in a tomato sauce. Not my favorite texture, but excellent flavors (and I knew the job was gelatinous when I took it).

Followed with two syrup-soaked oversized churros and four little squares of baklava, we took about half the entrees and dessert back to the hotel, knowing we had a minifridge. Only some of these leftovers got eaten, though.

[edit: address fixed in message and title -- hey, I copied from the 'net]

I've only been to the Lincoln Ave location but yes,you get alot of food!We really enjoy Reza's!

As a longtimer of the Andersonville location, if you want variety at Reza's, try the buffet, a reaonably priced spread. Or coordinate with your companions for entree sharing or replace some entrees with appetizers. The regular entrees are a lot of food, as they are accompanied by soup, cheese, bread, and then the large portions of the actual entree along with carbohydrate galore portions of rice or cous cous. The leftovers are good, and it's definitely a good valued delivered with all the food you get.

Shouldn't this thread be titled "Oak Brook" rather than "Oak Park."

Below is link to previous post and address for Reza's in Oak Brook. We haven't had a chance to go back but really enjoyed our visit there in March. If you do go for the Sunday brunch, make a reservation as it gets quite crowded.

http://lthforum.com/bb/viewtopic.php?t=7613&highlight=

I have edited the subject line to reflect the correct city.

kithat wrote:Shouldn't this thread be titled "Oak Brook" rather than "Oak Park."

Fixed. Not entirely my fault, I copied it from another site.

Joel, it IS Oak Brook/Oakbrook (no one seems to be able to decide on that). NOT Oak Park. Changed AGAIN.

The confusion is understandable, I suppose. Oak Brook, the town, is dominated by Oakbrook Mall, and bordered by the town of Oakbrook Terrace. So I guess proper usage is Oak Brook as a place, and Oakbrook as a descriptor. (note lame but game attempt to explain the inexplicable).

Now you can rest, having learned your one useless fact of the day. Quiz next week!