Gilak

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Time Out says

Tue Jun 12 2012

Iranian restaurants aren’t known for their culinary variation, which makes the regional emphasis of this north London outpost all the more commendable. The menu focuses on dishes from the Gilan region of northern Iran, a cluster of coastal towns bordering the Caspian Sea. It’s an area that also influences the restaurant’s decor, minimal though this is – a fishing net strung across the ceiling, a few framed prints of boats and Iranian beaches.

The single, caff-sized room holds only a handful of tables and chairs. Staff on our visit were happy to explain some of the more obscure dishes, including the ‘Gilak special’ starter, a hunk of smoked mackerel served with walnuts and broad beans, which are then rolled together in bread to create an interesting combination of flavours and textures.

We also loved the sour-sweet contrast of zeytoon parvardeh (green olives in a punchy walnut and pomegranate marinade). A main of lemon and saffron-marinated joojeh chicken kebab was moist and flavoursome, but it was the regional morgh-e torsh that stole the show: a side of chicken in a sour herb and lemon sauce served with saffron-tinted rice.

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Address:
Gilak 663 Holloway Road
London
N19 5SE

Venue phone:
020 7272 1692
Opening hours:
Meals served 11am-10.30pm Mon-Fri; noon-10.30pm Sat, Sun
Transport:
Tube: Archway tube or Upper Holloway rail
Price:
Main courses £6.99-£14.50. Set meal £42 (minimum 4)
Map
1. Gilak
  - 663 Holloway Road
    London
    N19 5SE
  - 020 7272 1692
  - 51.564850,-0.133282

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Comments & ratings

(17 ratings)

I am 12 years old and me and my brother Sam (aged 9) want to recommend this restaurant to kids who like things like curry and kebabs. Try this food because you will love it. My favourites are the chicken kebabs and the minced lamb ones. The restaurant owners are really friendly and nice too, but if you can't make it to the restaurant they do takeaway too. Enjoy! :)

Alice & Sam Fri Mar 29
Rated as: 5/5
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Amazing and authentic Northern Iranian food cooked and served with passion. I'm a local who'd never tasted Persian food before, but I've become a regular. The kebabs are always a great bet, especially for less adventurous types and kids, but the stews are my personal favourite. Excellent.

Nick Fri Mar 29
Rated as: 5/5
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Amazing and authentic Northern Iranian food cooked and served with passion. I'm a local who'd never tasted Persian food before, but I've become a regular. The kebabs are always a great bet, especially for less adventurous types and kids, but the stews are my personal favourite. Excellent.

Nick Fri Mar 29
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We used to have curry regularly, but we now seem to have switched to Iranian food because of Gilak. Even our kids aged 9 and 12 love it, which surprised us given that the flavours are quite unusual and take some getting used to. We're all hooked now. Gilak's standards are consisently high, whether you're eating in or taking away. And if you order home delivery it always comes quickly. The meat is excellent quality and it's just delicious. We love Gilak!

Clare Fri Mar 29
Rated as: 5/5
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Wasn't very impressed with this at all if I am being honest. Food was cold when it arrived and the portions were very small. Had to re heat the food myself.

Arghavan Tue Mar 12
Rated as: 1/5
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The absolute worst restaurant experience of my life! The delivery was late, the portions were tiny, the delivery man was rude and when a complaint was made to the manager he was also rude and threatening. I would steer well clear of this place if I was you!!!

Ellis Mon Mar 11
Rated as: 1/5
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The absolute worst restaurant experience of my life! The delivery was late, the portions were tiny, the delivery man was rude and when a complaint was made to the manager he was also rude and threatening. I would steer well clear of this place if I was you!!!

Ellis Mon Mar 11
Rated as: 1/5
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The absolute worst restaurant experience of my life! The delivery was late, the portions were tiny, the delivery man was rude and when a complaint was made to the manager he was also rude and threatening. I would steer well clear of this place if I was you!!!

Ellis Mon Mar 11
Rated as: 1/5
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good meal price ok nice service. Im tyhe critic for food on ALL THATS IN THE WORLD and I rate this

Gary Tue Sep 11 2012
Rated as: 3/5
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Being half-Iranian, I have eaten in most of London's Persian restaurants and visit Iran itself annually, so feel well-placed to judge Persian cuisine. I think Gilak is very very good - the food is great quality and very good value. The service is great too. We will come back!

chekhart Sun May 27 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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