The Pie Hunters have decided to tackle a unique challenge – every month we’ll work our way through the alphabet, tackling and reviewing a different country’s cuisine in London. And we’re not taking the easy options, i.e. think Burmese instead of British, Afghan instead of American…

First up was Ariana II in Kilburn, a brilliant and authentic Afghan restaurant, with the added bonus of being ‘bring your own booze’ and having a next door off licence with a fantastic selection of ales.

The first Ariana restaurant was established 1986 in Manhattan, New York. With the success of the first branch the family opened a second branch in London in 2010 as a large group of the family lived there.

The vegetarian starters with different hot sauces were particularly good (we were wisely warned to take it easy on the fantastic flat bread) with Kadoo Buranee (mashed pumpkin, £4) and Bolanee Katchalou (fried turnover filled with potato, garlic and onion, £3) and spinach samosas (£2.50) among the stand outs.

For the mains the Sultani lamb kebab (£11) and Kabuli Palow (£9) were very good. The Firnee (milk pudding, £2.80) was well worth trying too.

This was a great way to start the challenge and we’d highly recommend it.

Pie Hunter ratings

Value for money 5/5

Food 4/5

Drinks 5/5

Service 3/5

Atmosphere 3/5

Total 20/25

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