My first foray into the Supper Club scene and it seems I started with the best. Sabrina is the new hot chef about town; you are going to be hearing a lot more about her. Her first book ‘Persiana’ is out in a matter of days.
Sabrina’s supper clubs are Persian feasts. She gives her guests the typical Persian eating experience. She has slightly different themed evenings; I attended the Persian Seafood and Spice.
In true supper club style the destination in West London is not disclosed until just before the event. It is in fact held Sabrina’s home. When we arrived we were directed into her lounge where 2 tables had been placed together to form an ‘L’ shape where 12 people could sit around. It was cosy and homely and so real, this is her crib! My fellow supper clubbers were from all walks of life and in fact all corners of the globe with one strong interest in common – adoration of good food. With the wine we had brought with us chilling in Sabrina’s fridge, we were off, with a welcome cocktail – vodka, apple and mint. I was perfectly set up for the feast.
Ok, so the way this Persian feast supper club works is as follows – for each course, a mass of different dishes are placed on the table for everyone to share. There is no need to worry about someone dominating your favourite dish. I feel Sabrina cooks along the lines of ‘feeding the 5000.’
To start, my highlights included the baked feta with chilli and preserved lemon. I am a feta addict and have never tasted it cooked in such a delicious, precious way. The whole marinated block of feta had been wrapped in vine leaves. It was tender and gooey and set alight by the flavours it had embraced in the oven. The fennel, blood orange and radish salad, served with mint and pomegranate in a citrus dressing was fresh, juicy and explosive. Now onto the main affair! The moment when the dishes were carried out, you wish you had not eaten a single thing all day in order to make the most of this spectacular feast. Maygoo Polow, I salute you! Traditionally steamed Persian rice with an abundance of spices, chilli, raisins and prawns was also delicious. Again, the freshness is what really shines with this staggering dish; it is comforting and satisfying whilst also a sensation for your senses. This was in addition to a total of four other insane main dishes – a slow cooked cod and herb stew, citrus stuffed trout and dish I never tire of, char-grilled aubergines with saffron yogurt. It was almost impossible to stop serving yourself more and more. Every time I tried, I could swear I saw an aubergine winking at me. It was only when I remembered about dessert that I managed to stop eating the mains and only for fear that I would be able to squeeze in more, a dessert! Dessert, thank goodness was kept simple however, still divinely delicious. In simplicity a cupcake, in deliciousness flavoured with cardamom, orange, pistachio and almonds and all washed down with a fresh glass of mint tea.
What a fabulous evening – a mighty Persian feast and a meeting of foodie minds! For when you fancy trying something different and want to eat like a King/Queen!