We went to a highly rated Middle Eastern restaurant called Ashurbanipal in #Sofia, #Bulgaria. There were no customers, but every single table was covered with dirty dishes. A guy who looked like he was with the restaurant, was messing on his phone. When the lady behind the counter got off her phone, she told us to come back at six o’clock. It was 5:12.
Sweep the Market
We walked to the end of the block, and stumbled upon a market. It reminded me of the market in which I grew up in Malaysia. At around 5:30 on a Saturday, most of the stalls were either closed or closing. There must be some seeds left on the straw the broom maker used to make the brooms he sells because there were many birds picking on them. The broom maker shooed them away, and for whatever reason, felt compelled to show me how to use the broom by sweeping the ground a few times. I know how to use this kind of broom; sweeping the floor was my least favorite chore.
No Photo
At the playground nearby, a little rascal gang leader pointed his finger at me and said, “No photos!” I didn’t even realize they had walked into my camera frame. That lil shit.
No Menu
We got back to the restaurant at six, almost all the tables were cleared. The guy that was on the phone was doing dishes. There were two other customers. After about 10 minutes, the lady came to wipe down our table. She apologized for turning us away earlier, and asked if it was our first visit. She told us this was an Iraqi restaurant, and there are no menus. Kenric and I got really excited because, to us, that’s a sign of a good place.
She named all the available dishes. We ordered okra, eggplant, kebab (didn’t ask what meat), and lamb. We asked for two beers. She told me to grab them from the fridge behind me, and gave us a bottle opener. A few minutes later, she started putting dishes on the counter, and Kenric fetched them. The lady was glad for the help. She told us today was unexpectedly busy, and she was short one employee.
My Favorite was the Okra
The food was extremely flavorful. It came with a free salad, and a whole bag of pita bread! My favorite was the okra in spicy tomato sauce. When she saw me using my fork and knife on the lamb bone, she said, “It tastes better with hand.” I joked that I was just waiting for that couple to leave before I use my hand in public. That couple had just left. She asked, “You want me to close the door?” We laughed, but she actually came out to close the door (not lock). She said her two-and-a-half-year-old son loves to eat the lamb, but only with beans.
A few minutes later, she brought two plates of rice and another dish for her to share with the dishwasher. They finally got a chance to eat. Four customers came in. We asked for a box to pack our leftovers and the bill. She came over with her pad and said, “Sorry, what did you order?” It came to 39 Bulgarian Leva (USD $23.73).
We cleared our table, and put our empty beer bottles into the crate. She offered us tea, but we didn’t want to trouble her more. The restaurant closes at 10 pm. I hope she gets some good rest tonight.
Map of Places Visited
Iraqi Restaurant and Female Market
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Ashurbanipal: 42.702270, 23.320684
Female Market: 42.702885, 23.319892
Ashurbanipal Sofia Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria
Female Market
Женски пазар
Sofia Sofia-Capital, Bulgaria
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