Patogh

Queues are the norm outside this tiny Iranian hole in the wall, which looks as if it were lifted straight out of central Tehran & planted on an Edgware Road side street. Patogh is cramped & shabby (without the chic) & the menu fits on to a single sheet of laminated A4, but this bothers the crowds not one jot – they come for the terrific food & painless bills. Huddle around tables (on ground floor or first) & order from the fistful of starters (yoghurt dip, hoummos) to be eaten with roughly torn hunks of puffy, freshly baked bread studded with seeds. Meat skewers are next up: huge helpings of spiced minced lamb, or smoky cubes of chicken served over buttered rice with salad. Drink mint tea or bring your own beer & wine. Bring cash too, as credit cards aren’t accepted.