Sheesh Grill announced that Executive Chef Taraneh Salehiwill oversee the culinary program at the family owned, fast casual concept restaurants in Northern Virginia. In her new role, Salehi will create high quality, thoughtful, fresh dishes for both Sheesh Grill locations in Chantilly (13940 Lee Jackson Memorial Hwy) and Falls Church (8190 Strawberry Ln Ste 4).
Applying techniques and traditions from her family’s roots in Iran, Salehi has built a career educating communities on Persian food culture. She is an active, vocal consultant in the region’s food scene, thoughtfully integrating her native cuisine for industry colleagues including Chef Enrique Limardo at his fast-casual restaurant, Immigrant Food.
“As a political asylee who found a place in my community through the shared experience of cooking, it is a joy to be able to share Persian recipes and my unique perspective with others! I am thrilled to lead the Sheesh Grill culinary team, bringing to life our collective goal of making the foods of the Middle East approachable to everyone. I believe wholeheartedly in cooking with fresh ingredients and building sustainable supply chains – things Sheesh Grill has stood for since the beginning,” says Salehi.
The updated menu includes a mix of Middle Eastern flavors ranging Afghan and Persian, with familiar Mediterranean comfort foods. Exciting new dishes include: Cauliflower Shawarma roasted cauliflower florets seasoned with house made shawarma spice; Mantu beef dumplings topped with garlic yogurt and split pea tomato sauce; Addas polo fragrant Basmati rice with lentils and lamb shank; and homemade Persian Baklava topped with choice of chicken shawarma or beef + lamb gyro, served with garlic sauce, spicy cilantro ketchup, and pickled vegetables. For dessert, enjoy Faloodeh, fragrant Persian ice cream with rose water and topped with cherry compote and pistachios; or homemade Persian Baklava made from scratch with toasted walnuts. Additionally, house-made craft sodas Strawberry Mint, Ginger Turmeric, Orange Cardamom, complete any Sheesh Grill experience. Later this summer, diners can expect to find even more Persian delicacies as Chef Salehi continues to update the menu in line with the season.
In this new chapter for Sheesh Grill, the eatery will continue to empower the voices of both the local community and farming communities in Afghanistan. This year, Sheesh Grill continues its Saffron Program, donating proceeds to women saffron farmers in Afghanistan, helping grow their production. And here in Virginia, the restaurants will begin an internship program in collaboration Tables Without Border, within each kitchen, offering positions to refugee chefs who have relocated to the region, providing a space to apply their love of cooking.
Guests can order Sheesh Grill for carryout or delivery from partners including UberEats, GrubHub, Postmates, DoorDash, and EZCater daily from 11:30 am – 9 pm. Catering menus are available for larger gatherings and corporate lunches.
