1. Afghanistan: Ariana II, Kilburn

A mound of fragrant steaming rice arrived at our table. Flecks of caramelised carrot and plump juicy raisins were scattered on top. I dug my spoon in and found a hunk of lamb hidden beneath the grains and it eased off the bone. This was going to be good. The meat was fatty, sticky, melt in your mouth and delicious. We wolfed it down.  

Arianna II is a simple cafe style restaurant at the north end of Kilburn High Road. At lunchtime there was only one other table occupied and the friendly waiter, who also seemed to be doubling as a chef, guided us through the menu. To start he’d recommended sweet pumpkin turnovers, a little bland but tasty enough. He also recommended Mantu as a main – Afghan dumplings, stuffed with minced lamb and lentils, and dressed with tangy yoghurt. We got a bowl of steamed spinach for good measure.

The joint of lamb with rice was without a doubt the main event though. Alf and I couldn’t get enough of the Kabuli Palow, and even though we were full to bursting by the end we could have eaten it over again.

Washed down with a couple of mango lassies and finished with Firnee, a sweet creamy dessert with almonds and pistachio, we were pretty satisfied with the first foray of our world food adventure.

At the end of the meal Alf commented to our waiter that Afghan food was his new favourite cuisine. The rest of the world has got some hight standards to beat.  

Score: 8.2 out of 10

Cost: £43 for one starter, two mains, a dessert and two lassi

Address: 241 Kilburn High Road, London NW6 7JN