This restaurant just opened in the area, and after seeing so many great comments in its first week, I decided to give it a try. Since this is Turkish/Mediterranean cuisine, my expectations were high, especially because I have had this kind of food at some of the best places in Turkey.
I tried the Beyti Kebap, Spicy Feta Dip (Girit), baba ghanoush, kibbeh (içli köfte), and tres leches for dessert, and everything was excellent.
The Beyti Kebap was the standout for me. If you have never had it before, it is grilled, seasoned meat wrapped in thin flatbread and served with yogurt and a rich tomato-butter sauce. It is one of the classic dishes in Turkish cuisine, and the version here was outstanding.
The Girit was especially interesting because it was not the kind of Girit I am used to having in Turkey(much better). For anyone unfamiliar, Girit is an Aegean-style dip, usually made with feta or other white cheese, olive oil, herbs, and sometimes nuts. Their version felt more unique than traditional to me, but it was fresh, creamy, and full of flavor. The baba ghanoush was also excellent.
The kibbeh (içli köfte) was beautifully done as well. It is a stuffed bulgur shell, usually filled with seasoned ground meat and onions, with a crisp outside and a savory filling inside. It is one of those dishes that really shows the care and skill of the kitchen when done right.
For dessert, I had the tres leches, and it was a great way to finish the meal. It is a soft sponge cake soaked in three kinds of milk, so it is very moist, rich, and satisfying without feeling too heavy.
I also had a chance to speak with the owner and learned that their chef previously worked at Çırağan Palace in Istanbul, one of the city's most iconic luxury hotels, built on the grounds of an Ottoman imperial palace. After hearing that, the quality made even more sense.
I wanted to share this because it truly feels like a hidden gem, and I hope more people discover it soon. I would love to have a restaurant of this quality nearby for a long time, because it honestly removes that feeling that I need to go back to Turkey to enjoy food like this. read more