Happy Yalda! As the longest night of the year arrives, communities around the world gather to celebrate this ancient tradition with warmth, light, poetry, and sweet moments shared together. At FandoQ in Westbury, NY, we’re honored to embrace this beautiful celebration of togetherness, hope, and the promise of brighter days ahead.
What is Yalda Night?
Yalda Night, also known as Shab-e Yalda, marks the winter solstice—the longest and darkest night of the year. This centuries-old celebration brings family and friends together to stay awake through the darkness, sharing stories, reciting poetry, and enjoying seasonal fruits and treats. The tradition symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, with the understanding that from this night forward, days grow longer and light returns to the world.
The celebration is steeped in symbolism: pomegranates represent the cycle of life, watermelons bring abundance, and nuts signify the harvest. Families gather around tables laden with these fruits, sipping tea, reading verses from beloved poets, and creating memories that warm the soul long after winter passes.
How We Honor Yalda at FandoQ
At FandoQ, we believe in celebrating the moments that bring people together. Yalda Night embodies everything we cherish about dining: connection, storytelling, and the joy of sharing exceptional food and drinks with those who matter most.
While this ancient tradition centers on specific fruits and sweets, the spirit of Yalda—gathering around a table with loved ones, savoring flavors that tell a story, and celebrating life’s abundance—lives in every meal we serve.
A Yalda-Inspired Dining Experience in Westbury
Imagine settling into our warm, inviting atmosphere as the winter darkness falls outside. Start your evening with our Kashk-e-Bademjan, a chef’s special featuring cooked eggplant with curd, fried mint, garlic, onion, and walnuts—a dish that speaks to the rich culinary heritage this celebration honors. The combination of creamy eggplant and crunchy walnuts creates the kind of textural harmony that makes a meal memorable.
For those seeking the traditional fruits of Yalda in a different form, our Specialty Cocktails capture the essence of celebration. The Rumi, crafted with fresh pomegranate and cherry juice, sour cherry syrup, ginger liqueur, and vodka, brings the symbolic pomegranate to life in a sophisticated libation. Meanwhile, the Homa, with its pomegranate liqueur, rose water, and cardamom bitters, offers aromatic complexity that honors traditional flavors.
Continue your journey with our Zereshk Polo, rice adorned with tart Persian barberries that add jewel-like pops of flavor and color—a dish that would be perfectly at home on any Yalda table. Pair it with our Lamb Shank, slow-cooked in special sauce until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender, or our Juje Kebab with your choice of marinated chicken breast or thigh.
For wine enthusiasts, our selection includes a Pomegranate Martini that nods to Yalda’s most iconic fruit, or choose from our curated wine list featuring everything from a crisp Pinot Grigio to a bold Shiraz from Australia.
Sweet Endings and Bright Beginnings
No Yalda celebration would feel complete without something sweet to symbolize the good fortune ahead. End your evening with our Persian Ice Cream with Saffron, Rose, and Pistachio—a dessert that captures the aromatic elegance of traditional sweets. The delicate floral notes of rose and the luxury of saffron create a finale worthy of this special night.
Or try our Faloodeh, a refreshing frozen dessert that provides the perfect counterpoint to a rich meal, much like the fresh fruits that traditionally grace Yalda tables.
Gather at FandoQ This Winter
This Yalda season, we invite you to create your own traditions at FandoQ in Westbury, NY. Whether you’re familiar with this beautiful celebration or discovering it for the first time, our restaurant offers the perfect setting to honor the longest night with warmth, exceptional cuisine, and the company of those you cherish.
May this Yalda bring love, abundance, and brighter days ahead to you and yours. We look forward to welcoming you to our table, where every night is an opportunity to celebrate life’s precious moments together.
Visit us at FandoQ, Westbury, NY. Reservations recommended for the best experience.
