The Helmand, Cambridge MA

[grumpyspatient]

Happy New Year!

DH and I checked out the Train Exhibit at the MOS, definitely geared toward little ones. The staff always does such a great job, a lot of hands-on activities. It was fun to revisit the museum and since we weren’t chasing 2 little boys around this time, we could enjoy ourselves.
Then we met up with friends at The Helmand. It’s been a while since we’ve been there too, but it is as nice and delicious as I remembered.

The dining space is warm and cozy, very welcoming, the service was spot on and the food was excellent.

We had very generous wine pours and shared 2 orders of Aushak ( ravioli filled with leeks and scallions, served on yogurt-mint topped with ground beef sauce) and 1 Kaddo (pan fried baked baby pumpkin seasoned w/sugar & served on yogurt and garlic sauce, topped with ground beef sauce).

The bread was freshly baked and the dipping sauces, especially the yogurt sauce, were very nice.

Dinners included Mantwo, Sea Bass, Seekh Kabob and Sabzi Challow (a vegetarian plate). Dessert was ice cream served with fresh pineapple, dates, figs, pistachio and cardamom and a special, cardamom ice cream with Bucklawa.
A really nice evening catching up, we did not feel rushed to leave, although they were certainly busy.
About $250.00 before tip, which is what we expected and considering the food, atmosphere and seeing our good friends, felt it was money well spent.

Bread and dips

Aushak

Mantwo

Kabob

Cardamom Ice cream & Bucklawa

Ice cream with dates, figs, pistachio, pineapple

[Saregama]

Great to hear it’s still around, and still good!

(We have Oleana booked in a few weeks, now you’ve got me thinking about a switch.)

[JeremyK (Jeremy)]

The Helmand is a hidden gem within Cambridge. Afghani cuisine is not well known and they provide a glimpse into that culture and food and execute so well. I haven’t been a while and I’m glad that they’re still executing well. I need to go back, especially for the Kaddo appetizer (Pan fried baked baby pumpkin seasoned w/sugar & served on yogurt and garlic sauce, Topped with ground beef sauce) which is outstanding. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[grumpyspatient]

Oleana is really good too! Nice to have choices.

[Saregama]

Christina’s being near Oleana is a strong temptation, but The Helmand has serious throwback appeal!

[GretchenS]

Sounds like a wonderful evening, glad The Helmand is still going strong!

[linguafood (Natascha)]

I wonder if every Afghan restaurant in the US is called Helmand (or some version of it). There’s a great Afghan place in Baltimore called The Helmand, too

[honkman]

I might be the outlier but Helmand was always good but it is Afghan cuisine not better than we had a other places whereas Oleana is high quality, creative cooking on a completely different level

[MaxEntropy]

Very glad to hear Helmand is still going strong. I haven’t been there in the 20 years since I decamped from Kendall Square to the burbs. Must revisit.

Our nephew recently moved to an apartment around the corner from Oleana, and reported on a very sub-par experience dining there. Hoping that it was on off night and looking to hear some positive reviews…I’d like to visit in the spring when their terrace opens, if they are still worth a visit.

[grumpyspatient]

I get that, and when that’s the goal we head to Sarma.
But last night was social, good friends, great space, service, presentation and food.
It all came together and was just what we wanted.

[honkman]

Fully understand it - my comment was as a reply to @Saregama comparing these two restaurants as somebody who picks a restaurant when not living in Boston and in that case it is no question for me.

[Saregama]

I think it’s different when you come in as a visitor without ties, whereas we return to both with memories and past context.

[fooddabbler]

Totally agree.

[kobuta (The Original Passionate Cucumber)]

Haha, I thought that too. When I dug into these restaurants called The Helmand or Helmand, I found out that they are likely opened by the same family (Karzai) in different cities and are related to the former PM of Afghanistan.

[Ruprecht]

Recently became aware of Ariana in Brighton (Western Ave near Mahoney’s/Star Market) which has some of the same dishes. Anyone been?

[honkman]

We have been to Ariana pre-Covid and enjoyed the food but it isn’t something we would recommend driving across the city. It is a good neighborhood restaurant on a slightly lower level than Helmand

[JenKalb (Jennifer Kalb)]

I went to the Balti Helmand many years ago - the Balti, Boston and Chicago restaurants of that name are owned by brothers of Hamid Karzai, I believe. I was not super impressed by the food at that place. We always seek out Afghan restos because Jim served in the peace corps there many years ago and I really have had only a few meals that have really pleased me, one a tiny place in the EVillage back around 1980 that disappeared rapidly (Jim exclaimed that the cook must have cooked for the king!) and one in Morristown NJ where the grilled meat was superb. (I think it may have been one of the Karzai chain) 15-20 years ago. In both cases, the food was very freshly prepared, ingredients were well carmelized and had good texture, and there were good herb garnishes and spicing.

I do love that pumpkin appetizer, a good version would make a trip to Helmand attractive.

[Stiv]

We ate at a Helmand in San Francisco many many years ago, maybe 1990-ish? My rather vague recollection is that we throughly enjoyed our meal. A quick search indicates that it is still there, their web page indicates that it has been in operation since 1971!

[linguafood (Natascha)]

I do not care for pumpkin at all, but enjoyed the app at The Helmand in Bawlmer. That’s saying something.

[JenKalb (Jennifer Kalb)]

I feel the same way! Tho the type of pumpkin may matter - Ive had good savory pumpkin dishes in turkey and also from West Indian cuisine - they both use a different kind of pumpkin than the US sugar pumpkins.