What we thought as we ate at Persia Restaurant in Newcastle

Walking upstairs to be shown to our table, two chancers off the street without the foresight to call ahead were apologetically told it was fully booked.

Unsurprising really, given the reliable quality of the authentic Middle Eastern fare prepared here.

Persia Restaurant, known as a ‘hidden gem’ to Tyneside diners, was renamed in recent years having previously been known as A Taste of Persia, but still has the same chef.

Persia Restaurant (Image: Northern Echo)

Persia Restaurant (Image: Northern Echo)

Persia Restaurant (Image: Northern Echo)For the uninitiated, Persian cuisine is similar to Turkish - delicious grilled meats and dips - but relies more heavily on fragrant rice and with a wonderful array of stews.

The walls of the smart dining room upstairs are patterned with a mix of reds, greens, blacks and whites with Arabic writing displayed prominently in the corners.

To start, we ordered a selection of small plates costing a fiver each that will be familiar to the even most unadventurous palate.  

The pan-fried haloumi cheese came in satisfying chewy big chunks and was cooked a gorgeous crispy light brown on the outside, but still gooey within just as it should be.

A dusting of spices was sprinkled over the hummus with olive oil drizzled around it, which was eagerly dabbed up with the lightest of fluffy naan flatbreads.

Hummus with naan bread and falafel (Image: Northern Echo)

The falafel, deep-fried chickpeas, with herbs, spices and egg, was crunchy and packed with flavour while the fresh feta salad came laden with a sheep milk cheese.

I could not see past the koobideh kebab, like the Turkish adana, for the main: two skewers of pressed minced lamb with spices and onion.

The grilled meat was magnificent and it came served with chargrilled tomato, a simple salad and a generous portion of tasty French fries sprinkled with paprika.

For £11.99 it offers great value.

The tender and juicy lamb kebab skewers with fries and salad (Image: Northern Echo)

Feta salad (Image: Northern Echo)

The chicken kebab was succulent and full of flavour (Image: Northern Echo)

The same can also be said about my guest’s joojeh kebab, tender chunks of marinated chicken chargilled on a skewer for a quid more.

The menu does offer a wide variety and given the high standard on offer I can safely say a return visit is on the cards with a view to trying the stews.

Fesenjan, chicken cooked with pomegranate and walnut sauce, and gheymeh bademjan, or lamb with split peas, lime and sliced aubergine in tomato and a cinnamon sauce particularly appeal.

Next time Gadget, next time!

Read previous Eating Out reviews:

• What we thought of Northallerton's new Indian restaurant
• We tried Zaap Thai as new restaurant plans revealed - should Durham be excited?
• Breakfast at this coffee house - a café that really cares about what it serves

Baklava was the ideal dessert (Image: Northern Echo)To round things off I asked for the baklava for dessert and was presented with a huge and delicious slab of honey-soaked filo pastry topped with pistachio nuts.

Service throughout was fast, efficient and friendly. Our waitress was helpful and chatty and we were made to feel more than welcome.

The bill, including a ten per cent service charge, came to a reasonable £73.69.

Persia Restaurant is next to the Central Station making is ideal for visitors arriving by train from Darlington during a day trip or to start a big night out.

You won’t be disappointed.

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Persia Restaurant

14 Marlborough Crescent

Newcastle

NE1 4EE

0191-649-9033

persiarestaurantonline.co.uk

Open: Monday to Sunday - 12pm to 10pm

Food: 9/10

Service: 9/10

Surroundings: 7/10

Value: 8/10