I first heard about the Persian Palace over three years ago when I met Allen D (fellow reviewer) at…read morea Yelp event in Soho. Back then he told me about this Persian restaurant in Ealing and I promised I would check it out eventually. Forward several years - I still haven't kept my promise - I receive the following Yelp compliment from Allen D: "Happy New Year Mr Uli. You know every time I end up in Persian Palace I wonder if you've managed to try Persian yet!" Seriously, how can I not but strap on my boots and venture out to Ealing after receiving such a note!
I arrived at Persian Palace on a Sunday evening around 7pm and I was greeted by a line of about 15 people. Great...maybe I should've read the reviews forewarning me about this. But I'm in good spirits, have a book on me and am starving...so I queue up in very English fashion. The line moves quite quickly and after about 20-25 minutes waiting I am being offered a table.
Once seated I whip out my Yelp App with the intention of studying the other people's reviews for food recommendations. But the nice waitress disapproves of this behaviour. When she sees me studying my phone, she says something like this: "No need to google the best dishes, that's what I am here for!" I loved her for this frankness and right away switched off my phone and waited for her input. I ended up ordering the following starter and main course with her:
Starter: Kashk-E-Badenjan (sauteed aubergine, walnuts, garlic, whey and mint) with bread
Main: Momtaz (one skewer of marinated chicken fillet and one skewer of mince lamb kabab served with rice, grilled tomato)
Drink: Doogh (yogurt-based beverage seasoned with mint; similar to the Turkish Ayran)
All of the above items were plentiful and delicious and I was happy as a puppy! And even though I was quite satiated after these two rather big portions, I still remembered a dessert when I had first read Allen's review: Paloodeh (or has he spelt it: Faloodeh).
Paloodeh is a Persian sorbet threaded with rice noodles and flavoured with rose water. It's served along with a fresh slice of lemon, which you're supposed to squeeze over the sorbet. I have to say this was the highlight of my dinner. The unusual combination of sorbet and vermicelli noodles was exotic and absolutely delicious. I loved it!
Some last tips:
* I suggest coming here as a group - do make a reservation though!
* If you live nearby, you can skip the line and order take away (online ordering is possible)
Thanks, Allen D, for making me come here!