Galleria Restaurant offers a thorough introduction to Persian cuisine in the heart of London.

The Venue
Galleria Restaurant is in a relatively nondescript location off Marylebone High Street. Not terribly posh, it does however succeed in feeling extremely homely. From the mismatched paintings on the walls to the Persian pastries that sit beside the till, the restaurant is decidedly laid-back and welcoming.

The Atmosphere
The clientele is mostly made up of local residents and their families. Tourists contending with Oxford Street don’t tend to stray this far, so you won’t find any frazzled shoppers here. Service is friendly, but understandably hurried, since the restaurant is continually busy.

The Food
There are loads of Persian specialities on offer, and portions are huge and seriously satisfying. Starters such as Mirza Ghasemi (charred eggplant and fried eggs in a garlic and tomato sauce) are delicious and more than enough to share. Make sure you order a side of the bread, which tastes like a cross between an Indian naan and a Mexican tortilla. Main dishes are well cooked, rely heavily on lamb and come with an enormous pile of rice. Daily specials include fresh fish such as sea bass and stews.

If you’ve never tried Persian food before and aren’t particularly keen to, there are loads of other options on the menu but whatever you do, don’t miss the honey-soaked Persian pastries for dessert.

The Drink
The wine list isn’t particularly varied but it’s not pricey either. As for the non-alcoholic options, there’s a fantastically fruity list of smoothies and some interesting Persian drinks like Sharbat-e Sekanjebin (mint and vinegar sherbet). The best drink on the menu however, has to be the Persian tea, which you mix with mint sprigs and rocks of sugar for the perfect complement to dessert.

The Last Word
With decent food at refreshing prices for Central London, Galleria is a hidden away restaurant which is ideal for both adventurous and picky eaters alike.

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