The Best Hookah Lounge with Music and Food
By Chef Vic
The flavors of the Mediterranean are before us. This delectable cuisine is something I did not grow up on but found a love for as time went on. Having the privilege of meeting many chefs from around the world throughout the years specializing in this cuisine, there is definitely a certain chef that stands out. I’m speaking about one of the most highly respected chefs in the Mediterranean game. He may be out here in Las Vegas, but everybody knows him from not just around the country, but also from around the world. With all the restaurants on the strip, even when others come to Las Vegas to enjoy the city, they must take a ride up west to visit this next level establishment. I’m highly surprised if you don’t know who I’m speaking of by now… Well, if you don’t know, please allow me to introduce you to by far a true pioneer of Mediterranean cuisine- “Chef Paymon Raouf”.
There is so much to say, so I’m going to do my best to keep this tight. The example to begin with is, many of you know what I do in the industry, how I am out there and what I see and experience. Not just in Vegas, but in all four corners of the country. Quite a bit to be honest, and I will tell you, traveling the entire country, we are blessed with the fact that we have another self-made trend setter right here in the 702 and it started on Maryland Parkway in 1988. That area at that time if you know you know when the boulevard mall used to be as sexy to us as the fashion show mall. Several great concepts were born on that good ole Maryland parkway.
Chef Paymon had a vision. Combining the legend of tradition with the trends of the future and shaping it to be what it is today. It gave him the opportunity to put his own bricks within this chapter of the industry. And as time went on, we are still talking about it. Those bricks are not only set in stone but are pieces of the road that was built for Paymon’s to be what it is today. Major respect for him as there is only a few that I personally look up to out there. Love you, Chef!
Chef shared with us that back home his family owned a grocery store and aside from the incredible and authentic recipes he learned from his own mother, Paymon would find ladies in their community that also prepared great Mediterranean dishes and he explained how when they would come into the grocery store, he would barter the best recipes for groceries. When the women would go home to their husbands, they felt good coming home with $50 worth of groceries, feeling that their hard work in the kitchen helped them to also provide for their families by bringing home the groceries they exchanged their delicious recipes for.
DÉCOR – I always dab in on décor but we must “emphasize”. It’s a double sensation when you step inside Paymon’s Fresh Kitchen & Lounge. The best way to say it is, classic, timeless, middle eastern meets future Mediterranean. You get that home Mediterranean feel but at the same time you feel like you’re passing through a hotspot in Dubai. If anybody figured out how to take tradition and put a futuristic twist on it with keeping the same down-to-earth, home feel – Our friend here had done just that.
OK – Here we go! It is Friday night in west Las Vegas. A little cold and rainy out., “I’m setting the mood here”. At this point, nothing sounds better than delicious food and some hookah puff puff. In this case, we must head to ‘America’s First Hookah Lounge’ ever, “Paymon’s – Fresh Kitchen & Lounge.”
Let’s start off with an espresso martini. There is something about those lately even though I’ve had several elsewhere, I want to try this one. And all I can say is, as this is the first thing I’m tasting, It’s the perfect balance of smooth and the right hints of coffee flavor for the perfect espresso martini. Candice ordered the “Raspberry Lavender Mule”, served in the ideal vessel, a copper mug, as the beverages matched the décor, and the specialty drink menu is perfect.
The first round of appetizers arrives to the table containing the perfect assortment of Greek and Mediterranean selections that go ideal with the first round of beverages setting the mood. You have hummus, jalapeno lime cilantro hummus, baba ganosh, falafel, rolled grape leaves known as dolmas, the classic Athens fries, and many other favorites from that origin of the world. In addition to the great mood, we have already been put in due to the overall ambiance, the kind and attentive staff, and Chef Paymon joining us at the table for a bit. On a regular basis you can find Chef Paymon greeting his regular guests or back in the kitchen with his line chefs.
Next, we move on to the fire cheese “Flaming Saganaki”. I mean you can’t have the old school love without doing the tableside dance. So, in this specific appetizer you get a show with the bite. Speaking of the bite. This bite was warm and delicious soft melty cheese with the perfect crust on top accompanied with a side of warm pita bread. I thought of it as a delicious Mediterranean grilled cheese, but far more eloquent. Meanwhile, the espresso martini hit perfectly in every way – And it cleansed my palate as well for the main course. If you haven’t tried the Flaming Saganaki yet, be sure to next time you dine in. You will be pleasantly surprised.
It’s been all Mediterranean & Indian up until this point. Now we’re shifting into the Greek element with the signature Greek Chicken Scallopini dish which is one of my classic favorites from the Italian game but only twisted in a Mediterranean Greek way, with tender chicken breast lightly sautéed with perfectly cooked angel hair pasta adding feta cheese, artichoke hearts, olives, lemon, oregano, and butter. The best way to explain it is, it’s like a reinvented Greek Chicken Angelo. And if you’re a fan of Chicken Angelo you need to try this version. The perfect main course to accommodate this whole experience and flavors we have witnessed. While we’re speaking on flavors chef Paymon also has his own line of spices. I left the restaurant with several and have already started incorporating them into some of my dishes I make at home. You can purchase his spices directly in the restaurant, on Amazon or at: spicebazaar.com, where there are also great recipes that lead to a gastronomic journey of exquisite flavors!
By the time we finished our appetizers and dinner, we were all full, but there are so many entrée options on the menu that you must try when you go from the Salmon Tandoori, Broiled Kabobs, Moroccan Lamb, Fensenjan (which is a specialty Persian dish) and a vast salad and sandwich menu for a little lighter fare. We’d be remiss not to mention and highlight a few more delicious menu items.
Paymon is undefeated. You just know when somebody really put all thoughts into their concept. It is a reflection of him, his journey and who he is as well as his mission statement from wall to wall within that establishment.
After our delicious meal, not like that wasn’t enough, Chef was kind enough to personally seat us in the hookah lounge.
Sure. I’ll indulge in some white gummy bear flavored hookah with friends. We had a few more beverages and it absolutely sealed the perfect evening. Definitely the type of experience that you are absolutely grateful for as Candice, Travis and I needed to catch up and that was the perfect place to do so. Whether you’re looking for somewhere for a great date night or simply catching up with friends, the ambiance at Paymon’s always makes for an enjoyable lunch, happy hour, dinner, hookah, and drinks.
Chef Paymon is very community driven and just so you know, he gives amazing discounts to first responders and some of great individuals out there that are keeping Las Vegas safe. I will leave it like this –
“There are many great ones out there to write about, but if you hear us speaking of them, there’s a very special unique element within Paymon and his welcoming establishment that we just feel everyone needs to know a bit more about. We had the most amazing time. The experience surpassed its reputation. If you have never been or haven’t been in a while, you need to go visit Paymon’s and enjoy the flavors, ambiance, décor, food, and overall vibe. You might see me there because I will definitely be going back, not just soon but often.
8380 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89117 | paymons.com
Chef Paymon – Thank you for everything you have done and everything you keep doing. It was an honor to join you and experience your well-done establishment. It was a long journey, a gamble, taking a chance and a leap of faith. And ladies and gentlemen that’s how legends are born!
Leave a Reply