Chayhana Oasis today is guarded by heavy wooden doors intricately carved in the style of an Orthodox church. Enter and you'll find ornate, sparkling archways lining the walls. Each table is covered by two tablecloths, one glittering gold and the other a rainbow-zebra pattern. It's a carnival for the eyes. In spite of the opulence, the food is supremely comforting. Matriarch Kamila Fayzieva cooked many of the recipes before and after the family left Uzbekistan for America in 2003. The kitchen is run by Muzaffar Hudaybergenov, a 26-year-old cook the family brought over from Tashkent. Together they offer an extensive lineup of dishes that feel familiar even if you've never tried one.
Click here for the full review by Zachary Fagenson.
Photography by billwisserphoto.com