Eating Out food review of Arabian Nights on Yarm High Street

In culinary terms, it is also a new-ish restaurant on Yarm High Street offering authentic Egyptian and Greek food.

When my sister and I visited at tea-time on a dreich Friday evening, we could have done with a touch of Mediterranean warmth, but sadly the inside was distinctly chilly. Happily, however, that was our only real grumble, and a very pleasant evening followed.

Arabian Nights opened in what was the Lost Property steakhouse in September, and it is clear that lots of attention has gone into the decor, with dark bluey green wooden panelling and shining genie's lamps dotted around the walls.

Inside Arabian Nights on Yarm High Street

We were shown straight to our table and our waitress offered to hang up our coats. I foolishly accepted, Claire wisely kept hers on.

The menu is extensive and very accessible for those not overly familiar with Egyptian and Greek cuisine. My experiences are pretty much limited to fabulous summer holiday meals where street cafes cook your meal in front of you, and, accompanied by an ice-cold lager, everything tastes like happiness.

In search of that same feeling, I opted for the grilled halloumi to start, with bread and tahini sauce, while Claire went for the houmous with bread and olive oil (both £5.50). As designated driver, instead of a cold lager, I had ordered limonana from the Arabian Nights specials section of the drinks menu – Mediterranean-style lemonade blended with mint and lime.

My refreshing limonana didn't quite go with my menu choices

It was very refreshing, and would have been perfect to cool off beach or poolside, however it overpowered my tastebuds a bit when it came to my starter (which was entirely my fault).

The grilled halloumi starter with tahini and bread straight from the oven

The bread was straight from the oven, and went beautifully with my halloumi and the smooth tahini, while Claire's plentiful houmous portion was creamy and light. A spiced version is also available, but she had opted for the plainer one.

Houmous starter was a good-sized portion

By the time our main courses arrived, the restaurant, which we had been sharing with just one other table, was filling up fast, while there was a constant stream of takeaway delivery drivers coming and going to pick up orders – clearly a sign the place is doing something right.

As were our main courses.

I had chosen Dawood Pasha Kofta – beef kofta cooked in tomato sauce and served with rice, while Claire opted for chicken souvlaki – marinated Greek chicken – with chips and tzatziki sauce (both £14.95).

Dawood pasha kofta - beef meatballs - was a triumph

My meatballs were absolutely delicious – substantial, tasty and drowned in rich, flavoursome sauce that was absorbed wonderfully by the perfectly-cooked rice. I loved it.

Claire's souvlaki was a feast for the eyes as much as the appetite, coming served atop an ornate heated platter. Before I could even ask how it was, she was talking about the tenderness of the meat, and how well the flavours from the marinade worked. With only a small pot of tzatziki and chips to accompany the chicken, there was a risk it might all be a bit dry, but that was absolutely not the case.

Chicken Souvlaki came served on an ornate platter

We were pretty full after our mains, but as it was still relatively early in the evening, I asked which of the dessert options might go into a small space. I was advised that Lokmat Al-Kadi – traditional Egyptian fried pastry balls with syrup (£5.95) – was pretty light, but it turned out they didn't go into a small space at all. After a couple of super-sweet, cinnamon frosted syrupy mouthfuls, I could manage no more.

The lokmat al-kadi dessert is for those with a sweet tooth

The bill, with a glass of wine, two soft drinks and a portion of extra bread, came to a shade under £70, which felt about standard these days.

Service throughout was very efficient from the whole team, and everyone seemed to know their jobs inside out.

We had a thoroughly lovely evening, and, from glancing through Arabian Nights' social media – it also stages belly dancing evenings – it is clearly keen to connect with the wider community. A welcome addition indeed to Yarm High Street.

Arabian Nights

135-137 High Street, Yarm, TS159AY

01642 041039

arabiannightsyarm@gmail.com

Eat-in or takeaways available

Ratings (out of ten): Food quality 8 Surroundings 8 Service 8 Value 8