What’s on the menu at Tabriz, the downtown core’s new Persian restaurant

Name: Tabriz Persian Cookhouse Contact: 995 Bay St., 416-922-2017, tabriz.ca, @tabrizatbay
Neighbourhood: University Owner: Pegah Ziaei

The food

Traditional Persian offerings (saffron chicken, braised lamb shank) and dishes unique to the Iranian city of Tabriz (herbed meatballs, walnut stew and koofteh tabrizi, a meatloaf infused with verjuice, and sprinkled with plumbs and barberries). Ziaei will soon be traveling to Tabriz along with her father to source ingredients, with the intention of offering more vegetarian options in the fall.

The drinks

Wine (house red, house white), beer (Steam Whistle, Heineken) and a signature cocktail that combines vodka, pomegranate juice and rose water. There’s also traditional Persian cardamom tea sweetened with cinnamon and crystallized sugar.

The space

Ziaei’s father is responsible for the stonework in the 48-seat space. He also planted the lemon tree and herbs that decorate the restaurant’s street-side patio.