Pinboard: Amy singsong, art along the PoW – and a letter from Jay Gatsby?

7. Persian off the PoW

Reader Ahsan Nazir emailed this week singing the praises of the “absolutely fantastic Persian place called Baran” on Malden Road. It’s the latest incarnation of a site that has previously seemed to be doomed. Last opening, Spice & Rice, served pretty damn good Thai, but was rarely busy.

“I’ve been living around the corner for the last six or so years, and this is by far the best place to have occupied the premises, yet business is still tough,” says Ahsan. “It would mean a great deal to me (not to mention them!) if you’d head down there sometime and see what you think. In my opinion at least, they really deserve to succeed.”

So we dropped by for lunch on Wednesday and shared a mixed starter selection (£11.95) which was flavoursome, if slightly one dimensional – hummus, two yoghurt-based dips and two aubergine. The flatbread was tasty and plentiful. We also had a chicken shish joojeh (£5.95), the saffron-marinated cubes of meat nice enough, but they came drowning in so much rice the dish felt a little underwhelming.

Baran’s owners have moved from Park Royal to set up shop in what they presumably were sold as a site a hop away from buzzy Camden Market. Despite the slightly odd dish combinations, there seem to be plenty more tasty stews and things to try on the menu. So if you’re visiting the galleries, cafes or pubs on the fashionable PoW, or seeing live music at the Fiddler’s, it’s worth a snoop. 20 Malden Road