The Khoresh Bademjan I grew up eating — memory as a review

I grew up eating Khoresh Bademjan and have strong opinions shaped by memory. The version here triggered that recognition in the first bite — the subtly bitter and complex was right, dried limes was handled the way it should be.

the sofreh spread on the floor is the traditional Iranian dining setting. Growing up it was always a Tehran restaurant, which shaped my reference point entirely. doogh yoghurt drink alongside it is the only way it makes sense to me. It's hard to be objective about food you have emotional history with, but objectively: this is very good.