In 1980 I was asked to design one of the first fine Afghan restaurants in Washington, the Kandahar in Georgetown. When she reviewed the restaurant in the Washington Post's Sunday magazine (June 20, 1982) restaurant critic Phyllis C. Richman said,
Kandahar is a restaurant dressed for celebrating. Even the street-level entry of this downstairs restaurant is appointed with a kind of miniature dining room that is a preview of the scene below. And downstairs is indeed lush. Booths are arched and mirrored, framed in carved wood with insets of etched brass. Sitting in a booth at Kandahar is like being in a jewelry box: you are surrounded with wooden filigree as you sit on heavily carpeted cushions. Tables are covered with red cloths placed catty-corner, and the exposed corners are etched brass. Even the water glasses are far above the ordinary, fitted into etched metal holders. Everywhere is ornateness, from a wall of trompe l'oeil arches and mountain scenes to brass sconces throwing light and shadow to a glassed-in collection of painted china teapots. Kandahar is a cave of treasures.
Here is the logo I designed for the restaurant (which has since closed) -- "Kandahar-Kandahar" in a flowing Arabic-style script.
Anne Murphy O'Neil
AMO Design
703.256.0066
amodesign@pobox.com