Pars Restaurant

Just when you thought Persian cooking was probably complicated, this Harrow Road restaurant clears the air and prompts diners to leave all their inhibitions at the door to step into a world of imaginative, healthy and colourful cooking. Yes, the team at Pars Restaurant have even got the décor right, outfitted with light furniture and beautiful paintings the minimalist look is just what is needed to shift focus into the food.

Those intent on learning the intricacies of Persian cooking will be happy to know that spices like saffron, diced lime, cinnamon and parsley are delicately combined, resulting in deliciously light fare. Ash-e-reshte is a good way to start, this traditional soup combines vegetables, lentils, red kidney beans, chickpeas and noodles, but take time out to pause between spoonfuls to analyse the interesting juxtaposition of flavours. This could be followed by zereshk polo ba morgh - steamed saffron rice mixed with sour bearberries and pistachio with cooked chicken and a Persian sorbet with a hint of lemon juice to finish.