Located in an odd, easy-to-miss retail strip along heavily-trafficked Greenback Lane, Bamiyan Afghan Restaurant is a true hidden gem. If you are a food lover, I urge you to make the drive to Citrus Heights and find this warm, cozy restaurant—it’s guaranteed to provide you with an electrifying dining experience you won’t soon forget. The walls of this family-owned establishment are hung with strikingly colorful handmade wool and silk Afghani carpets, and there’s even a few knee-height tables which require diners to sit on pillows on the floor. Start your Afghan meal with a bracing, super-hot mug of the restaurant’s slightly sweet, delicately cardamom-flavored tea, and make sure to try the kitchen’s hearty mantoo appetizer as an accompaniment. The mantoo, plump steamed dumplings stuffed full of subtly spiced ground beef and soft yellow onions, are sprinkled with just-slightly-textured yellow split peas and lavished with a tangy yogurt and a luscious garlic-mint sauce. It’s a terrific small plate to rev up your palate. Other appetizers you’ll enjoy include the lively pomegranate salad and the traditional Afghan yellow lentil soup. Skewered, charbroiled meat is the most popular entrée choice at Bamiyan, and selections range from beef tenderloin and sausage to leg of lamb and lemon-marinated swordfish. (Don’t miss the smoky, flavorful chicken shish kebab.) We also adored the moist, delicious kofta—saucy Afghani meatballs—and the sautéed catfish, smothered with softly stewed onions, tomato and garlic. The best part of your meal, however, may be the side dishes which are served alongside all main entrees—you’ll swoon over Bamiyan’s sweet-savory, gorgeously carnelian-colored pumpkin puree (halwaiy kadu); the alluringly soft korma kachalo (potatoes cooked with onions, garlic and tomatoes); and the intriguing, cinnamon and cumin-kissed “green rice,” flecked with spinach. Although you’ll want to stuff yourself, save room for the restaurant’s “Afghani-style” vanilla ice cream, flavored with rose water and sprinkled with dates, figs and pistachios. — Kira O'Donnell

Insider tip: Kids are graciously welcomed at Bamiyan—the kids’ menu (items are $7.95–8.95) includes Afghani pasta, meatballs, and chicken kebab. And if they’re feeling adventurous, they can order sour cherry juice or pomegranate juice.

Reservations: Recommended

Payment methods: AmEx, Discover Card, MasterCard, Visa

Alcohol: Beer and wine only

Corkage fee: $12

Hours: Monday–Thursday 5–9 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: 5–10 p.m.
Closed Sunday