Conflict Kitchen has a new home in Oakland's
Schenley Plaza. The take-out restaurant, which only serves cuisine from countries that the United States is in conflict with, will begin serving an expanded menu from its new kiosk location on April 1st.
Co-director Jon Rubin says earlier plans to move downtown fell through because of changes in the Golden Triange's rental market. But he sees a strong future in the Oakland location, with its proximity to universities, libraries, and the plaza's own seasonal cultural offerings.
While they've lost interior space that a downtown location could have offered, Rubin believes they've made up for it in high-quality public space.
"It's really Pittsburgh's only public plaza," he says, in terms of a large, relaxed, multi-use space.
The eatery is planning weekend dinners and other special events to be held at the plaza. Conflict Kitchen joins other take-out kiosk businesses and The Porch at Schenley.
At the original East Liberty location, Conflict Kitchen had served Cuban, Venezuelan, and Afghani cuisine, among others, but offerings were limited to one or two items under each incarnation. At the new location the menu has been expanded to 10 to 12 items.
Conflict Kitchen will serve its Iranian menu through June, in recognition of that nation's summer elections. Items include the ground beef kebab
Kabab-e Kubideh;
Kookoo Sabzi, an egg frittata served on nan; and
Khoresht-e Fesenjan, pomegranate and walnut chicken on stead rice.
Plans for future concepts include North and South Korean, as well an Israel-Palestine version of the project.
Hours will be 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
Writer: Andrew Moore
Source: Jon Rubin