Irene Gelfand and Emin Buzhunashvili have been bringing authentic mediterranean food to Madison since 1996 when they moved to the area and ran their family business, Russian House, on State Street. After successfully running this for several years, the couple decided to start Caspian Grill to bring the more traditional food of their hometown Baku, Azerbaijan to Madison.

Their recipes have been passed down in their families, and every authentic recipe has its own twist and additional ingredients that makes it unique to Irene and Emin. Not only are their recipes authentic and unique, but the charcoal grill used in the Caspian Grill Kitchen also adds a flavor to the food that cannot be achieved with a normal grill. The charcoal grill adds flavor to all the food without using oil or butter, so the Caspian Grill dishes are healthier, lower calorie, and naturally gluten free without sacrificing rich flavor.

Not only has Caspian Grill’s food been praised in the Capital Times and the Wisconsin State Journal for its authentic Mediterranean flavors, but customers also praise the owners for their great customer service and welcoming environment. Emin and Irene are dedicated to providing authentic Middle Eastern cuisine to their customers while offering customization to fit their needs, including food substitutions and a variety of catering options.