Agoura Hills, a crown jewel of the Conejo Valley, is best known for great mountain biking and hiking on both sides of the 101 freeway. As I’m learning, the tiny city also has a relatively diverse culinary roster. Maral Cuisine prepared one of my favorite Agoura Hills meals to date.

Shahnam Ebrajimi’s Persian restaurant debuted in early 2011 in the Twin Oaks Shopping Center north of the 101 freeway. Maral Cuisine has a name that translates from Farsi to English as “deer.” The corner space resides on the classy end of the design spectrum, with light yellow walls sporting abstract hangings and grand chandeliers that add more than just light.

Trout normally costs $15.95, but Maral Cuisine charges only $12.95 for the fish entree at lunch. The plate even comes with a choice of soup or salad. Go with well-spiced lentil soup. The butterflied fish bathes in lemon juice, saffron, olive oil, and a bit of black pepper before getting treated to the grill. The juicy, flaky results come with a generous pile of sabzi polo (herbed rice), grilled tomato and pepper, aromatic mint leaves, and crunchy raw onions. Squeeze lime wedges over the vibrant fish to add even more brightness.