New York | Finally Tasted the Legendary Turkish Ice Cream 🍦

When I mentioned to my Turkish classmate that I wanted to try Leyla, he got super excited and confirmed that it’s truly authentic! 🍵 Turkish Tea 🌷: The Turkish black tea is so fragrant, and the tulip-shaped glass (called Ince Belli) is super delicate. It adds such a nice touch of ceremony. I looked it up, and this type of glass is a local specialty. 🌸 🍖 Lamb Shank: Served steaming hot, it smells amazing! The meat is tender and full of flavor, easy to pull apart with a fork. It comes with a truffle-flavored risotto that makes your taste buds dance. The portion is generous, and this dish is definitely worth the wait. 🍖 🍕 Merguez Pide: The Turkish pizza is shaped like a little boat, cut into four pieces. The crust is thin and chewy, perfectly baked to bring out the wheaty aroma. There’s more filling than crust, which is so generous! When you break the pizza, the sausage juices drip down. Taking a bite is just incredible! 🍕 🍦 Marash Dondurma: I’ve seen so many prank videos about Turkish ice cream, and finally, I got to try the real thing (without the cone)! Made with salep powder, it’s super sticky and melts very slowly. It’s the complete opposite of sorbet—chewy, slightly grainy, with a mild milky flavor. 🍦 The restaurant has a great atmosphere and style. The meal with friends was just amazing! Turkish cuisine really suits Chinese taste buds, especially for meat lovers. Another point for the Upper West Side’s culinary scene! ✔️ 📍 Leyla 108 W 74th St, New York, NY 10023 #NewYorkLife 🗽