Mustapha Anoua has been a fixture in Washington’s fine dining scene for the last 20 years, but he has been a fan of Moby Dick House of Kabob for just as long.
So when he heard that Moby Dick House of Kabob was looking for a manager for its new restaurant in Tysons Corner, it’s only natural he was chosen to open the chain’s latest branch.
The new Moby Dick House of Kabob opened in June, and it’s a far cry from the Persian restaurant chain Washingtonians have known and loved for the last few decades. The Tysons Corner restaurant introduces a new dining concept for the restaurant chain, including a new logo. Located in the new Tysons West mixed-use development, Anoua says the opening of the Silver Line and the area’s growth is expected to help the business thrive.
“There’s a good future in this location, and that’s why the owner chose this location,” Anoua remarked.
When diners walk into the Tysons Corner Moby Dick House of Kabob, the first thing they notice is the bright, modern, and welcoming interior. The restaurant is less like a cafeteria-style dining area and more reminiscent of a bistro with al fresco dining.
Portions are generous, from the tzatziki and warm pita bread served with every order to the salad served with the Kabob-E Kubideh. You can choose to start with hummus, dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves) or kahsk-o badmjan consisting of sautéed eggplant, grilled onion, garlic, and yogurt. Entrees are served with your choice of rice, salad, or half rice, half salad. The kabob-e kubideh, grilled sirloin and grated onion with house seasoning, is cooked perfectly with just a hint of spice. And there are plenty of vegetarian options for diners who don’t eat meat. The falafel sandwich, while a decent size, doesn’t skimp on the falafel and fillings. If you are planning on bringing the family for dinner, you can choose one of two family platters with plenty of kabobs and sides. Be sure to save room for dessert – Moby Dick House of Kabob offers delicacies like Persian doughnuts and baklava.
Anoua hails from Morocco and has worked in the restaurant industry for 20 years. He has worked at Anna Maria’s in Ocean City, Maryland and Bistro Bistro in Dupont Circle. He credits his time at Paper Moon in Georgetown in the 1990s for getting him hooked on Moby Dick House of Kabob. He says that managing Moby Dick’s is a change in pace from working at fine dining establishments; though it’s been “a lot of work, it’s been great.”
As a fan of Moby Dick House of Kabob, Anoua’s favorite dish is the Super Combo with lamb, half salad, and half rice.
Moby Dick House of Kabob is located at 1500 Cornerside Blvd., Tysons Corner. For more information, call 703-734-7000 or visit www.mobysonline.com.
