I continue to be amazed by Iranian restaurants in London. Any one of the London Persian eateries with this quality of service and food would immediately be on some "Best " list in US with people standing in line to get in.
We went to Banu because it was near our hotel and because we had not been to it before. The geography and ambiance of the restaurant is refreshingly different than all other Persian restaurants. It is located in a sleepier street. No kitschy replicas of Persepolis reliefs or modernized Persian miniatures were on the walls. There was not a single copper pot or round tray hanging from the walls. Instead, hotel Clarion's lounge decked with comfortable armchairs and settees and the general atmosphere of a boutique London hotel is the sitting area for this restaurant.
Service was prompt, courteous, and appropriately attentive. Natalie at the front desk was especially calm, collected and genuinely helpful to the hotel and restaurant patrons alike.
The food (jujeh, koobideh, gheimeh, shirazi salad) was amazing. Meat was tender and succulent with adequate hints of spices. The rice was perfect, not too dry and not dripping with butter.
We are certainly going back to Banu. read more