This was my first time trying Turkish coffee, and I absolutely loved it! For other first-time…read morevisitors, I recommend letting the coffee sit for about 30 seconds before taking a sip so the fine grounds can settle to the bottom. Also, don't stir it after it's served, as that will bring the grounds back up into the coffee. Be sure to leave the last sip or two in the cup, since that's where the grounds collect. The coffee itself was excellent, but I would recommend that servers explain these details to first-time customers or at least ask whether they've had Turkish coffee before. A little guidance would make the experience even better for newcomers.
We also ordered the hummus as an appetizer, and it was fantastic. The naan was served warm, and the hummus tasted incredibly fresh and flavorful. It was the perfect way to start the meal.
We also ordered The Bosphorus Special, a mixed grill platter featuring doner, kofte, chicken kebab, beef kebab, Adana kebab, and chicken Adana kebab, served with vegetables and white rice. Everything was absolutely delicious. The meats were cooked perfectly, tender, and packed with flavor. I'm so glad my significant other and I decided to share this entrée because the portion was very generous, and we still had plenty of leftovers to take home.
While the service could have been a bit more attentive, it did not negatively impact our overall experience. After our food was served, our waitress did not check back to see how everything was or whether we needed anything additional. We also ended up with quite a few leftovers and requested to-go containers. Initially, only one small container was brought to the table, which required two additional follow-ups before we received enough containers for the remaining food.
One suggestion I would offer is that, for tables ordering larger meals, it may be helpful for servers to proactively offer to box up leftovers as dishes are cleared. For just two people, our table became overcrowded rather quickly, especially with the generous portions. Since our waitress did not return after the food was served, it made managing the table and leftovers a little challenging.
That said, we had a wonderful first experience overall. The food was outstanding, the portions were generous, and we look forward to coming back again in the future.