It’s a 100% halal menu but not at a Middle Eastern restaurant as you might expect. At Khan Saab the cuisine is from Pakistan, India and Afghanistan.
“I am excited to showcase halal foods in an elevated way and introduce the Fullerton community to the cuisine of the Desi region,” says Chef Imran Ali Mookhi, who has worked at Tantra on Sunset, Tamarind of London in Newport Coast, Dosa, and most recently Tumbi in Santa Monica. He and his sous-chef Mustafa Ansari will prepare butter chicken and other traditional dishes and present signature recipes such as Pomegranate Braised Kiwami Brisket with creamy polenta, Fresno Chili relish, and beef jus and Jhinga Masala with black tiger and baby shrimp, onion, tomato and a coconut masala.
Their Sloppy Khan riffs on keema pav and a Sloppy Joe but it’s made with Wagyu beef. Consulting Chef Dominic Crisp will provide a deep knowledge of halal steaks on items such as a woodfired bone-In tomahawk and a boneless ribeye served with sumac mashed potatoes and a veal glace.
Indulge in as many “cocktails” as you want: The bar program is halal so the drinks contain no alcohol. Mixologists Ahmad Hosseini and Luis Valencia and will shake and stir craft mocktails like a Mango Mojito, Negroni, and a Peshawri Mule.
The 70-seat restaurant’s interior was designed by Corona-based Areli Lases and the decor includes a hand-painted mural by Desi artist, Naeem.
Everyone is invited to celebrate the restaurant’s grand opening from 5 to 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 19. The Consul General of Pakistan will appear for a ribbon cutting ceremony and artists will be creating complimentary Henna tattoos. The event will benefit the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Orange County.
Find it: 229 E. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, 714-853-1081, khansaaboc.com.
Open: 11:30 a.m.-3 p.m. daily for lunch. 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Sunday-Thursday; 5-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday for dinner.
