Category: General

Dining Out Hatam A Family Restaurant in Mission Viejo

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“”Where is a good place to go for authentic Persian food?”” How many times have your non-Persian friends asked you that question? Well, a few weeks ago we decided to go and check out a local Persian restaurant in the neighborhood called Hatam. It’s a cozy little place with a friendly environment and great hospitality. “”We serve fresh, homemade food all day every day,”” said owner Babak Kashkouli. Their specialties include, of course, kabob with the famous basmati rice on the side, as well as stews like Ghorme Sabzi, Gheime Bademjan, Abgousht, Fesenjan, Karafs, Koofteh, Tahchin, Bamieh and Kotlet; Ash and specialties like Soltani, Barg, Baghalipolo with Mahiche and more!

” “We use the freshest ingredients on a day to day basis,”” Babak explained. “”My sister Afsaneh Kashkouli manages the restaurant together with our serving manager Ali Shafiee.””

Aside from dining in, Hatam is best known for their catering and to-go services. Even while we were there they received two catering orders! So if you don’t have time to come in for a sit down meal, you can always order to-go!

“Anytime you want to come in during our business hours, we promise you the best quality service and food. We’ll treat you like a member of the royal family! And for OCPC readers, we offer an appetizer or a side dish with any entree!”” said Babak.

Experiencing Iran

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It is 1 P.M. and you just got off the plane. Extremely tired, exhausted and drained are the only feelings going through your head. The hot, dry air, the heavy luggage, the noise and the wait is making every moment tougher. Making your way towards the arrival doors you suddenly see a dozen people with big, happy smiles anxiously waiting to welcome you. Then you realize every minute is passing by so fast and you don’t even feel the pain you had minutes ago; all of a sudden all you see is a bunch of people – or should I say 5-6 cars – following you home, making you feel as special as a newlywed bride!

There is no such thing as “material happiness” in Iran. Relationships are very pure and real. People don’t need to know each other to bind. When you’re in the bakery, grocery store, shopping center, or even getting a ride in a taxi, you always see friendly faces chatting with each other. Conversations start when you are least expecting them; exchanging the latest happenings in the city. Taxi drivers are the best source of news because all day long they get to listen to passengers. Closeness and friendship goes beyond what stands out in a city. All in all, in Iran’s version of ‘New York City’, people still bring about the old ways of warmth and kindness… and enjoy every single second they spend together.
What do young people really do for fun? The nightlife in Tehran isn’t made very public but the inside scoop is that the young community enjoys themselves. Hangouts such as coffee shops, restaurants and juice stops get packed with loads of people on Thursday and Friday nights. People stay out late enjoying their time with friends or family at places such as Abmeeveh Tochaal, with their famous “sheer pesteh”, fast food places like Behrouz, Burger Teen and Feri Kasif, as well as places like Darband and Park Jamshidieh. The next stop would be a hookah/teahouse to lay back and relax with what is left of the night. Where do the others go? The rest are at house parties with the best music and some of the best looking guys and girls you could ever find. You don’t have to make plans for your weekend – they are already planned out for you!

Having a good time and going to some parties can turn out to be nothing but trouble. Some young people have to go through a lot and be alert so that nothing goes wrong. Sometimes parties or hang out places are interrupted not just for having loud music and waking up the neighbors, but because of the whole idea of “partying”. Even while grabbing a cup of coffee with your friend you always have to be on top of everything. What is the bright side? Mostly all of them could manage and are smarter than it seems!

Oh! Who could leave out the unforgettable “Jordan” and “Fereshteh”! These two streets are supposedly known as the happening streets where everybody gets to know each other better. Put on one last touch of make-up and don’t forget to fill-up your car with enough gas to have some fun. Why? People circle the streets until they lose count! You pass by different cars and faces and get to have a little giggle or two with your friends!!

It really is a worthwhile vacation to visit Iran and get a taste of how people really have fun and entertain themselves. Aside from the historical and ancient aspect, which may take weeks to explore, the culture is so deep and authentic that it causes you to blend in very smoothly and comfortably. The pleasure of it will truly last you a lifetime…

CSUF Persian Studies & Language Program

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This past month, OCPC had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Dr. Thomas Klammer, the dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Cal State Fullerton, regarding the Farsi classes currently offered there. Both Cal State Fullerton and the Iranian Cultural Center of Orange County’s goal is to find a way to introduce the Persian culture to Americans, as well as teach Iranian-American students –- many of whom have lived their entire lives in the United States –- about the Persian language and culture. Currently about 50% of the students taking Farsi classes are Persian which means the other 50% are non-Persians!

” “We have about 33,000 students on campus and about 700 of them are Persian,”” Dr. Klammer explained. “”Foreign language is very important for the community and for communication in general.””

Currently CSUF offers these classes in the 200 level courses and they are hoping to get even more Iranian students involved. To give us a little more of a background on the history of how these Farsi classes got started, we spoke with Maryam Molavi, a member of the Iranian Cultural Center of Orange County (ICCOC).

” “We are proud to have worked with Cal State Fullerton in launching the first Persian studies and language program in Orange County, a place that is home to so many Iranians. No major university has offerred the Farsi language as an accredited foreign and general education course,”” explained Molavi.

These accredited classes at the university level, which started fall semester 2003 at CSUF, are open to all students with little or no background in the Farsi language. “”In the past we have had some group organizations that have given benefit performances in support of the Persian classes at CSUF including NIPOC (Network of Iranian American Professionals of Orange County) as well as a program including the former Black Cats music group and the Behzad and Rudaki Ensemble. I thank all of them including OCPC for supporting this program and informing the Persian community about this very important program,”” said Molavi.

ICCOC which seeks to preserve knowledge of Persian Language, literature, and culture worked closely with CSUF, and the University Advancement Foundation to set up a Persian Studies account for further education and research. Growth, advancement and development of Persian Studies program depend on the Iranian community’s donations and active participation.

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