QABILI PALAU AT AL-SAFA: BEST RICE IN CURRY MILE

Ate out at Al-Safa in Rusholme tonight to celebrate after the's last exam of his life. You can always count on Al-Safa to serve up the most amazing rice (with the exception of a few times when I went for lunch and the rice was not yet ready).

Qabili Palau uses seasoned broth from onions and meat (lamb, chicken or beef) and a few spices to flavor basmati rice. The dish is topped off with fried carrots and raisins for sweetness then baked.

I usually order the roasted half chicken with rice (change back with 4 quids!!) but the roast chickens were still being prepared so I decided to splurge and ordered myself the kobeda and chicken kebab special mix with rice (£5.95 + 1.00 extra to substitute naan for rice and worth every damn penny). He tried the grilled half chicken with rice (£4.50). Al-Safa gives a generous portion of rice (as in I've never left with room for dessert/drink/anything else) which is ace since all I had today was a mini sandwich. The meats and salad played good supporting roles, but to be honest, I go back just for the rice.

Top: Grilled Half Chicken with Rice
Bottom: Special Mix with Rice

If you ever get a chance to visit Manchester, be sure to stop by Al-Safa in Rusholme for the best Middle Eastern food in town!! It is the ultimate cheap (what I ordered was probably the most expensive thing on the menu) quality meal.

For those that are interested in attempting this dish at home, you can try the recipe over at Recipes Wiki.

Cheers!