The Alewife

Neighborhood Eats by Clarlie Lieu

Pars not the average Persian

LOCATION:
370 Harrow Road
Maida Vale
London
+44 (0) 871 4746663

HOURS:
Mon - Sun Noon – 11:00 pm

COST:
£8-15 / person, credit cards accepted

NOTE:
No disabled access

[LONDON] This month our travels bring us to London, a city with a reputation as one of the most expensive in the world. Yet despite its rap, good values are abundant if you care to look.

Although there are a variety of street vendors offering enticing options; sitting down for a meal is the best way to get a slice of London’s international food experience.

Located in Maida Vale, Pars Restaurant is one of the great under-rated neighborhood eats in a sea of London eateries.

It is known by the locals not only for its great value, but for its solid, authentic and wonderfully flavorful food.
Maida Vale, near the Paddington station (of the “Paddington Bear” fame) and adjacent to the posh Notting Hill, is a northwestern burb of London. It is home to a host of international neighborhoods including “little Venice,” a canal front running through the area. Maida Vale is surprisingly similarity to Cambridge in its cultural and wealth diversity, making it an apt local for finding a suitable Alewife Neighborhood Eats restaurant.

From the outside, Pars blends right in with the bland storefronts lining Harrow Street, but inside, your senses are met by the smell of spices, the sound of music, and the brilliance of Persian décor complete with a colorfully tiled Persian clay oven.

If you didn’t know better, you might think you have been transported to Persia (present day Iran).
The extensive menu features chicken and lamb as the predominant protein variety.

We had to sample as much as possible by ordering the Pars Special Mixed Grill, with an assortment of meat and accompaniments that easily fed three big eaters. Lamb is rumored to be Par’s specialty, but the chicken is equally delicious. The fish is also very good, but be aware that fish of all varieties are seasoned and pan fried whole.

Pars does not serve alcohol due to London’s expensive liquor license, but they do allow you to bring your own for consumption.

Neighborhood Eats by Charlie Lieu

Pepper Sky's Thai sensation

I often think of Cambridge as a provincial town because residents tend to view themselves as part of a community, albeit one that’s quite the cultural hodgepodge.

As townies, we tend to have that one place we like to go on a regular basis: an oasis of humanity where everyone knows our names. Norm had Cheers and I have Pepper Sky’s Thai Sensation.

I have been a fan of Thai cuisine since I was a wee lassie, and thus almost compulsively try Thai restaurants everywhere I go. Hence, it’s no faint praise when I say Pepper Sky’s meals are amongst the best Thai food I’ve ever had the pleasure of having.

In early 2004, Pepper Sky’s spawned from the ever popular Brown Sugar / Similans chain.

A group of employees led by Chudapa Phom Jun, otherwise known as Jan, decided to leave the Brown Sugar fold to start Pepper Sky’s.

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Neighborhood Eats by Charlie Lieu

Quindgao Garden

I love food and I love a good value, so it goes without saying that neighborhood eats make up the bulk of my food outings.

Most people would agree that it is always gratifying to find a downright satisfying meal that doesn't break the bank.

Qingdao Garden fits the bill as the quintessential neighborhood eatery, serving North Cambridge with its northern Chinese style cooking since 1999. In fact, there was a Chinese restaurant previously in the same location. It has fast become a neighborhood favorite and is arguably the most under-rated Chinese food in the greater Boston area.

Having lived in Asia for 10 years, and traveled extensively in 48 of our 50 great states, I can say with some authority that Chinese restaurants in America are neither authentic nor good. In fact, despite my heritage, I always insisted that I hated Chinese food - that is, until a Caucasian friend introduced me to Qingdao. Yes, life can be ironic.

Qingdao honors its namesake, a large Boston-like port city on the east coast of China, by remaining true to the region.

The decor is typical of street front eatery with its white fluorescent lights and diner style furnishing. It isn't much to look at, but what Qingdao lacks in ambiance, it makes up for in universally appealing burst of flavor.