"Zira Uzbek Kitchen, the new restaurant dedicated to Central Asia’s foodways and cultures, opened on November 15 in Fairfax. Owner Azim Rahmatov immigrated from Uzbekistan to Los Angeles in 2001, earned a degree in hospitality management from Cal Poly Pomona, and worked his way up from dishwasher to manager at the now-closed Restaurant Uzbekistan. The full-service restaurant spans 2,500 square feet and seats up to 60 surrounded by colorful fabrics, pillows, and service pieces that Rahmatov sourced from Uzbekistan. Azim’s brother chef Azam Rahmatov prepares regional specialties like grilled lamb shashlik, oxtail stew with chickpeas and fresh herbs, and red wine-braised lamb shanks with a creamy mushroom sauce." - Mona Holmes
