Thursday, June 23, 2011

Food News: Kabobs for Anacostia?

This seems a bit random, but also goes to show that nowadays it isn't only the "expected" organizations and businesses that are beginning to move to Anacostia. Last week I got news that Rebiya Kadeer (read this great bio from the New York Times), the Uyghur activist and millionaire businesswoman who was exiled from China in 2005, purchased the long-boarded-up commercial building next door to the Honfleur Gallery.



At first, my understanding was that it would be the new DC headquarters for the World Uyghur Congress or the Uyghur American Association - but as of today I heard a different story.

According to sources who spoke with Ms. Kadeer at the site this morning, she plans to open a Uyghur restaurant - featuring the western Chinese ethnic group's famous kabobs - in the space later this year.

I'm sure more info will begin to seep out soon - but regardless of what moves in it's wonderful to see this abandoned and decrepit building go back to productive use! Crossing our fingers that kabobs are in Anacostia's future!

(I spent a semester in Beijing, and happened to live near a Uyghur-dominated commercial street so know and love the food. Great kabobs, edamame, flatbread, and potato dishes)

6 comments:

kiki said...

that sounds great. i'm trying to get my friend who owns a pizza place to come to Anacostia too. he seemed interested.

Anonymous said...

I totally dig this place. It's delicious, easily accessible from Crystal City metro stop, and open 24 hours a day.

My wife and I ate here for dinner on a Monday night around 7pm and it was jam packed. I had a #11 (boneless chicken and lamb kabobs, $14.99), and my wife had a #1 (boneless chicken kabob, $9.99). Each dish comes with rice and a salad, then your choice of a side (e.g. chickpeas, spinach, lentils, etc.), and a piece of naan. They will split up the side and give you a bit of two if you ask. A drink will run you another $1.75.

The portions are large here, obviously nothing wrong with that, but in retrospect, the #11 could have fed us both.

I definitely recommend this place if you are into this kind of food

Anonymous said...

Hah! Looks like some computer marketing bot went haywire in that anonymous post. Wonder what phrase triggered it.

Josh said...

Thanks for sharing! I would definitely love to see how "authentic" this restaurant is despite being on the opposite side of the world. Also would be interested to see how it's decorated. Will Rabiya's activism shine through??

Kim said...

This is very exciting! I also studied in Beijing and spent a lot of time in what we ex-pats called "Uighurville," which I understand has now been razed. Delicious food!

xinjiangreview.com said...

My wife is expecting to try delicious Uyghur food in the US and this is definitly a great news for people who love halal Uyghur food.

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