Arian (CLOSED)

Persian food is surely one of the least explored and most delicious in the UK. Whilst other cuisines have captured the nation's taste buds, it's still a rarity to find authentic Iranian food amongst the choices of many people dining out.

Strange really as the food is so delicious. It isn't spicey and hot, as many expect, with much more a reliance on herbs. Lots of them. And lamb is pretty much the staple meat. Delicate flavours, meaty chelo kebab, different types of rice, dried lime, pomegranate, sumac...

The food at Arian is indeed authentic. It attracts local Iranians as well as everybody else. The starters come with delicious flat breads, so you can share a mezze style range whilst sipping salty doogh (a yoghurt based drink). The mains come with some of the tastiest rice ever and, unusually for a Persian restaurant, classic meals like ghormeh sabzi and fesenjan have vegetarian versions. In fact some of these are tastier than the lamb and chicken originals.

What's more, you can bring your own bottle and, whilst the decor could do with a spruce up, the friendly welcome and exceptional food make it a journey worth travelling.