Arya

Came here for lunch today and sadly won’t be returning. We popped in and got the cheap lunch menu; he got lamb kebab and chips and I got chicken kebab and chips, all good so far. After a short wait the food came nice and I was happily tucking in when I cut some of my chicken up and it was pink in the middle. Needless to say I lost my appetite after this, and when the waitress came over to take our plates I told her some of the chicken pieces were raw in the middle, and her response was that she could put them back on the grill. Having done food hygiene courses about food poisoning I politely said no. The waitress then said for next time she would remember that I like my chicken ‘well done’, and this annoyed me no end because I don’t like chicken well done, I just don’t like it raw! Very annoyed with this experience as I loved going here but it is sadly now off my list.

Having wandered by Ayra so many times, and taken in the waft of delicious lamb kebab, Saturday proffered the perfect opportunity to stop by and grab some dinner. We’d just exhausted ourselves at Overworlds and Underworlds, and desperately required respite. And sustenance.
Inside it’s cosy — the tables and chairs are tightly knit, so perhaps not the most intimate of dining experiences. However, that is very much negated by the warm welcome from one of the ladies who works there. Within moments we were seated and offered drinks. I opted for their special coffee, tempted by the special tea, but in need of a wake up hit. It was a very good coffee, although not as ‘special’ as I’d hoped– I’m not sure what I imagined exactly, but it was strong and well flavoured.
I can’t recall the name of the dish I had, forgive my lack of Persian knowledge, but it was the minced lamb kebab and the lamb pieces on a kebab. Everything is cooked up freshly, and my friend’s chicken option (which I of course tried) was seasoned and marinated beautifully. The minced lamb kebab has a very strong flavour, so bring your fresh mints, but was delicious nonetheless. I’m certain it’s the source of that gorgeous aroma. The lamb fillet (?) kebab was beautiful as well, and the portions are certainly generous in the meat department– I couldn’t finish my plate.
You have the option of chips or rice, and I went for the fries, of which there was a veritable mound. The salad was more of a suggestion, or garnish, as opposed to a portion so if you’re looking to balance the meal order a side plate. Even if you do so, I doubt it’ll come to more than £20 for a drink, chips, meats aplenty and something to settle the five-​a-​day situation.
Overall, it wasn’t quite as special as Safran, based on my initial visit. Perhaps it was their Persian tea that swung it, but that’s not to say this isn’t a lovely little restaurant. The toilets are a little sad, but the staff and the food are certainly delightful. You’ll get a hearty feed on freshly cooked delights, and all of the friendliness and warmth you could hope for in a dining experience. And was I rejuvenated and revived after a lengthy jaunt about town? Absolutely. Give them a visit!