World Food Thursdays

Country No. 30: Iran

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Tandis, Haverstock Hill

Attendees: Ben, Ellen, Maor, Poppy, Becky, Kim, Oscar, Naomi Campbell, Calum, Eoghan (venue chosen by Ellen)

£40 a head

 

In the past much has been made of the benefits of arriving early. Typically patience is thin on the ground for latecomers so those of a punctual persuasion get straight down to business and attempt to scoff as many starters as possible before the rest of the guests show up. The excitement of being back in the World Food game much have been too much for Kim and Lee as they took arriving prematurely to a new extreme, turning up a whole week before the scheduled reservation. Realising their error they abruptly left and Lee vowed never to return. This explains his absence from our trip to Iran for the latest gastronomic adventure but, like Medusa, if you cut off one of our heads another two grow back and so we were delighted to welcome Calum and Eoghan (and Oscar) to the crew. Naomi also returned after a prolonged absence to rapturous applause, a throwback to her days on the catwalk.

 

Given the large size of the group, by far the largest gathering so far, a slightly different approach was needed. Starters were doubled to ensure that every attendee got to sample each dish, this was met with mixed level of success. While the Kaske Bademjaan was delicious the consensus was that the Kookoo Sabzi, a very herby omelette, was not so good. The bread served with the starters was fresh and delicious and demolished in great quantities.

 

For main courses we stuck with the tried and tested method of ordering way too much food and then passing it round the table causing spillages left, right and centre. It’s fair to say the use of fruit in Persian cuisine leaves a quirky taste, sun dried limes in Khoresh Ghormeh Sabzi and plums in Khoresh Aloo Esfenaaj created bold, sour flavours unfamiliar to our largely western palates. Perhaps this explains why the Khoresh Fesenjaan (chicken with ground walnuts and pomegranate puree) was easily the best seller.

 

For dessert (another rarity) we went for the Baghlava and some Faloodeh (frozen vermicelli with rose water – disgusting).

 

Iranian Facts:

• Maor's favorite football team is Tractor Tabriz

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