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Chella
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By Cyrus Shahrad
Iranian restaurants seldom do glamour. Most forsake frills for the simple warmth of a family dining room, catering to a national belief that eating out is a poor substitute for dining at home. Not so with Chella, which retains the artful bistro feel of its predecessor, Brit-fusion restaurant Gravy. Champagne bottles cool in ice buckets at a glittering mirrored bar; bejewelled mirrors and framed prints of ballerinas adorn the walls; and the chunky wooden tables and eccentric upholstered chairs are bathed in candlelight.
Nor was the food strikingly authentic: a starter of aash-e reshteh (noodle and mung bean soup) was pleasingly thick but over-salted; another of kashk-e bademnjaan (aubergine and garlic mashed with whey) was bland by comparison. Only the delicate herb omelette known as kookoo sabzi was spot on, bursting with fragrance and light as a soufflé.
Mains were equally erratic: minced lamb koobideh and chicken joojeh kebabs were succulent, but the latter needed longer in the traditional saffron marinade; ghorm-e sabzi (lamb stew with vegetables and dried limes) featured overcooked meat and was similarly over-seasoned.
Despite all that, Chella has clearly struck a chord: service was superb, and the place was packed on our Thursday night visit, although few customers appeared to be Iranian. Given the live flamenco Sundays, extensive wine list and absence of Middle Eastern hygiene hoses in the toilets, that may all be part of the plan.
Time Out London Issue 2047: November 12-18 2009
Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Best Iranian food in London by far!!!! Food was excellent and service was spot on!!! Very refreshing to see a modern Iranian restaurant with traditional values. Highly recommended
Chella brings to London what has been lacking for years. Top quality, traditional Persian cuisine in chic surroundings. Before Chella, the Iranian restaurant experience was about going to a restaurant, ordering, eating and then leaving once the meal was over. Chella has changed all of that and had made the whole dining experience much more enjoyable. The only problem for me is choosing which of the many delicious dishes to go for! Its never easy!
It is so nice to be able to enjoy the persian cuisine in a modern and classy restaurant, Chella. The food is fantastic, from the starters, to the kebab and stews. The drinks menu is complete with a range of wines and delicious cocktails. The management team are very friendly and we have always enjoyed our experience at Chella, which is why we are regulars there.
absolutely fantastic restaurant.
having been to many persian restaurants in London, this has fast become my favorite, offering a new and modern feel to authentic persian cuisine and dining.
The food was outstanding, I ordered the Momtaz, which was delicious, the chicken was succulent and seasoned to perfection.
Keep up the great work.
As a Persianliving in Uk for 30 years i must say this place is blessing as a quality and service .this is one of those restaurant you want to keep it to yourself and not to tell to too many people so i can enjoy and get a table without waiting specilly on Sunday evening with beautifull sound of talented BEHZAD'S guitar.i had to write this after my 20th visit.
It is a wellcoming restaurant with the best koobideh I have ever had in London.
Service,decor was extreamly pleassing.I will be a regular for sure.
The food if fabulous and service is very excellent!!! Be sure to have a few of their speciality cocktails too. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Being born in Iran I found it very hard to find good authentic Iranian food in London until I went to Chella. Aside from its cool, glitzy interior, friendly service and affordable prices, the food is excellent. I have found a gem in west London that I visit at least once a week.
I went to Chella first on a Sunday evening and was delighted by the brilliant live musician. It really made the night all the more special. Great, sophisticated restaurant with outstandingly delicious food. I happen to have dined at Iranian cuisines before however nothing quite lives up to this one. Fantastic.
Dining at Chella Restaurant gave eating out whole new level. The food was brilliant, succulent meat with tasty flavoursome seasoning's. The service was fantastic and the restaurant was beautiful. Great night out in Chiswick.