This review is for the two courses for £9.95 deal available at Saray from 11.30am-6.30pm*.
I went for the mini meze platter, followed by moussaka. Whilst I'm super-keen to experience alternative Turkish hot mains, I'm fascinated by the variations in the 'moussaka' served by different eateries. Saray's version came with a varied salad incorporating rocket, radicchio, a single spear of chive and a balsamic dressing as well as the usual salad suspects. The rice portion was well-cooked and just the right amount. The moussaka was wholesome and tasty enough, although I prefer veg cut a bit chunkier and not cooked quite so much as was the case here. (I think part of the issue was that, following on from a starter of a fairly 'mushy' set of meze, my palate was crying out for a bit more texture.) As to the meze platter, this was a good example and an elegant presentation on a wide-rimmed white plate. Of nine meze items, spinach with yoghurt, roast aubergine & red pepper salad and a chili-walnut salad deserve special mention. The tabbouleh was lacking the generous use of flat parsley, which is a meze highlight for me in Rusholme's Arab cafés such as Falafel, Marmara, Jaffa.
Saray has been open just one month in Chorlton, having previously done good business in Marple. So this new venture in a prime neighbourhood restaurant location represents a step up for the Saray team. The décor is elegant - with the purple colour and mirrors remaining in my memory - and again proves that a nation which has belly dancing rather than Morris dancing as its national dance can get away with just a bit more 'bling' whilst still being tasteful! Seriously, for a special occasion, Saray is easily up to standard with the leather seating worth special mention. At a quiet lunchtime, it was the manager who was serving me, and he really could not have been more accommodating, friendly and courteous. If you are the sort of Chorltonite who eats out regularly, Duran (the manager) is there as your friend, I feel.
Still on the Special Offer menu, vegetarians do well here. Alternative vegetarian starters could potentially include the soup of the day (leek & potato on my visit) a full starter portion of several of the meze items already mentioned or *roll of the drums* Muska Borek, which are deep-fried filo pastries filled with feta and parsley. Turlu (vegetable casserole) is the alternative vegetarian main on the offer menu and other vegetarian options available on the main menu. For non-vegetarians, all the usual Middle Eastern options are there on the menu, plus some 'Saray specials'.
Lastly, but by no means least, live belly dancing. Reading the reviews of Efes Taverna in town, this would seem to be a reliable formula for a lively night out, if that is what the doctor has ordered!
Although there are a lot of restaurants in Chorlton, including quite a few new Middle Eastern options, I feel Saray is in with a good chance of succeeding and I wish them well.
*Opening hours are listed as from 5pm seven days a week, but the timing of this lunch/early bird deal (and the fact that I ate there at 1pm!) would seem to contradict this. read more