Massimo Persian Restaurant is an independent Persian dining room at 16 Pennine Parade in north west London. Its cooking draws particular inspiration from Gilan and Mazandaran beside the Caspian Sea, while also representing recipes from Tehran and southern Iran. The result is a menu shaped by fresh herbs, walnuts, pomegranate, aubergine, garlic, rice and carefully seasoned meat and fish.
Cold and warm starters introduce the bright contrasts found in northern Iranian food. Zeytoon parvardeh combines green olives with walnuts, garlic, herbs, angelica and pomegranate juice, creating a rich balance of savoury, sweet and tart flavours. Mirza ghasemi brings together smoked aubergine, tomato, garlic and egg, while kashke bademjan layers aubergine with whey, mint and onions.
The main courses move from homestyle stews to grilled dishes. Morghe torsh is a northern speciality in which chicken is cooked with herbs and sour notes, while fish, lamb and kebabs provide further substantial choices. Fragrant Persian rice accompanies many dishes, offering a delicate counterpoint to slow cooked sauces, charcoal flavours and deeply seasoned ingredients.
Vegetarian starters and vegetable led regional dishes make it possible to build a varied meat free meal, while grills and sharing plates suit groups who want to sample several recipes. Persian tea and a considered drinks selection round out the experience. The warm dining room and emphasis on regional tradition make Massimo a useful introduction to the breadth of Iranian cuisine beyond the most familiar kebabs.
Address: 16 Pennine Parade, London NW2 1NT, United Kingdom