Tipped

Something Special

February 28, 2012

I'd been looking for alternatives to the usual mixed grill staples (Tayyabs, Zengi et al) and stumbled across Ariana on Tipped. So I took my sister for lunch yesterday and we were not disappointed.

The starters of fresh bread (baked upon arrival), TORSHI (Persian Pickled Veg) and DAL ADAS (more of a spiced lentil and tomato soup more than, say, an Indian Dhal) were all really tasty. The Torshi was a revelation, intense pickling liquor, with heat from chilli and herbs. And who knew you could pickle raw sweet potato: it tastes citrusy!?

We, of course decided on sharing a mixed grill which was massive and could have easily fed four. It came with rice, salad, two wonderful confit potatoes and some (in)authentic Maggi Chilli Sauce. Two generous lamb chops, lightly spiced, cooked perfectly, were delicious. Thick chops with beautifully rendered fat, but not overcooked means there's a skillful chef manning the grill, I'm sure. Four lovely chicken wings (which I can take or leave normally, but these were addictive). Two lamb kofte kebabs, which had a fascinating mild spice (but not spicy hot) were great. And the kebab/skewered breast of poussin, was probably the best char-grilled chicken I've ever eaten; moist, tender, slightly charcoaly, vaguely lemony... Yummy!

By this time (with quite a lot left over to take home in a doggy bag, which the were happy to provide) we were stuffed and feeling like we were about to slide into a meat-coma. We asked for two coffees and the bill. Upon paying, they gave us a free rice pudding. Despite feeling like we were about to pop, we felt obliged to at least try it. So happy we did. This is the best rice pudding you will ever eat. Flavoured with cardamon and with the consistency of yoghurt, it was velvety, pudding heaven. Seriously, if you do go to Ariana, you have to try this.

All in all this is a fantastic restaurant. Fresh, beautifully prepared food, massive portions, lovely staff and excellent value for money. I'll be back in a flash.

Keywords: Afghanistan, Afghani, Persian, Mile End, E3, Restaurant, Mixed Grill

Will be going back very soon

February 04, 2012

Myself and a friend were looking for somewhere to eat on a sunday afternoon. I had heard that Ariana was good and it really didn't disappoint. The chicken was tasty and tender, everything was really fresh and the apple juice freshly pressed.
I will be going back as both myself and my friend throughly enjoyed it. Plus the staff were friendly and welcoming - I am new to the area so it was nice to experience.

My Only Mile End Regular

March 18, 2010

They have perfectly cooked diced lamb dishes and a mixed grill for 4 that could probably feed 5 or 6. The chicken is superb - and there is a great selection for vegetarians. Fresh bread is baked in the beautifully decorated oven just next to the entrance to the restaurant. On my 8th visit here I took some family, including my great aunt, who said that the food reminded her of an Iranian restaurant she had visited in the Middle East. Don't let the restaurant exterior fool you - inside the decoration is charming, tasteful and well maintained. The owner takes great care to ensure that you are well looked after too and all for an extremely reasonable price.

Keywords: afghan cusine reasonable good service outside area

hd says that ariana is delicious

December 28, 2009

I discovered this place around 6 months ago after driving past it and wondering what the food was like. like the other reviewers have noted, there really isn't much in the way of good food in mile end, but this place is a real diamond in the rough. and there aren't many afghani/iranian places in east london that spring to mind.

the lamb and chicken are excellent quality and almost always very tender. the kubedeh with both kebab and steak is delicious. other highlights on the menu are the paner-e-sabzeh (cheese, radish, walnut, fresh tarragon and mint wrapped in the freshly baked bread in the clay oven on site) and the mantoo (dumpling style parcels of lamb mince, yoghurt, dried mint and lentils).

the staff are always very friendly, and the prices are very fair for the portions and the quality. highly recommended, this place does not disappoint.

Keywords: ariana, cuisine: iranian, cuisine: afghan

Something descriptive, useful.....

December 11, 2009

very nice restaurant
good staff
good food
service a little gentle
Great bread!

Keywords: afghan, iranian

Delicious good value BYO

May 16, 2009

After walking past Ariana several times I decided to google it and found one other review on this site which prompted me to go. Me and a friend tried it out tonight and we were pleasantly surprised. The waiters were so friendly and the food portions were huge and delicious. There was a really nice outdoor area out the back which backed onto mile end park. Some people were sitting out there under a patio heater. Would definately reccomend coming here for a really good value tasty meal.

Finally A Place to Eat in Mile End!

March 02, 2009

I have been living in Mile End for just over a year, and have struggled to find a pub or restaurant to call my 'local'. We tried a few places around, but always left disappointed and wondered what was wrong with Mile End? There are lots of things going for it ie. a University, close to Canary Wharf, easy to commute to central London in 20 minutes, but for whatever reason it is a black hole for restaurants, unless of course you like fried chicken. Finally, a restaurant that had been open last summer, but then mysteriously was closed for months, reopened about a month ago (the owner said they were having problems with their lease). Since their reopening my boyfriend and I have been 3 times! Ariana is an Afghan & Iranian restaurant, with fresh and delicious homemade food. One of the best features is a kiln in the middle of the restaurant, where each tables nan bread is made fresh to order. Some favourites of ours have been their aubergine starters, the baklava, and of course the mince lamb kebabs. It also has a BYO policy, with no corkage fee, and the menu is extremely affordable! Anyone living East should definitely check them out!

Caitin

Keywords: mile end, iranian, afghan, kebab