Taste of Turkey — Restaurant in Sydney

An average establishment with mediocre customer service. Went there at 11:35am for my sisters birthday, was told only breakfast was served until 12pm, for us to come back again after 12pm. This should be mentioned on their online menu, website, or social media platforms.

Against my better judgement, we went back at 12 pm, as this was my sisters choice of restaurant. She loves Turkish food, and I wanted her to celebrate her birthday through food. As food is my love language. Had, this not been a special event, I would not have returned based on that lacklustre customer service. I was frankly quite annoyed. The server could have sat us and asked us if we wanted drinks while we sat and waited for 12 pm. There were barely any customers and many empty tables, so we weren't taking any space. We left to return in 20 minutes.

The food -

We proceeded to order the banquet for 4 people. It was $54 a person and did not include drinks.

First, let me start with the positives. For the price, it is very good value, as their portion sizes were large.

First, there were six different dips with rustic warm bread. The bread and 3 of the 6 dips were delicious. If I am not mistaken, the dips were as follows: beetroot, cucumber yogurt, carrot yogurt, hummus, roasted eggplant, and some sort of spicy dip. We enjoyed the cucumber yogurt, hummus, and spicy dip. The rest were not to our liking. The beetroot was just beets that were minced. The eggplant was quite tangy, and the carrot was just carrots in yogurt. There was nothing to it in terms of flavour.

The next course was three of their mezzes, zuchini fritters (mucver), stuffed vine leaves, and some sort of mashed bulgur dish. We liked the zuchini fritters. They were warm, crispy, and had a nice texture. The mashed bulgar (I think it is cig kofte) was an absolute no. However, this may be because I am not accustomed to eating mashed bulgar, and in that regard, I did not like the taste or texture. The vine leaves, when done right, are phenomenal. These were lacking flavour, were quite tough, the filling was so dense and hard. I've had a fare bit of grape leaves, and these unfortunately were not good.

Next was the spinach and cheese pide. This was the star! It was hot, fresh, and flavoursome. I absolutely loved this! Personally, I wish we had gotten a variety of their pides, as this was outstanding. I could not believe how tasty this pide was.

The main was then served. This was a variety of meats. Chicken breast, minced lamb (adana), and backstrap lamb skewers, served with warm pita and a salad. The chicken and lamb were quite moist, tender, and well seasoned. We enjoyed dipping them in the dips that were provided at the start of our meals. The minced lamb was unfortunately not good. As for the salad, it was just a mix of lettuce drizzled with some olive oil, there was no vegetables, and it lacked any real flavour. I wanted that crunch of fresh cucumber or tomato or even some pickled onions. Instead, it lacked any real substance and was very underwhelming. At first, I thought that perhaps the vegetables were under the heap of mixed leaves. Unfortunately, I was sorely disappointed.

Lastly was their tea and sweets. We were served cheesecake, kunefeh, baklava, and trilece cake. We enjoyed the tea, baklava, and kunefeh. Though they were unbelievably sweet, they still tasted quite good. The cheesecake was bland, and the trilece cake I could not stomach it. I had one bite and wanted no more. However, this is no fault to the restaurant. I personally hate trilece. I could not bypass that soggy texture. I am a texture person, so that cake was a big resonating no. However, I do know many who love trilece and may have loved this cake.

Overall, it was an average experience, with some highlights and some lows. Would I come back again? Yes, for...

Sitting somewhere between a restaurant and a kebab shop, Taste of Turkey is a popular eatery a few doors down from the Enmore Theatre. Large groups are king here, with our booking relegated to an outside table when the whole indoor space was taken up by a party of thirty. I wouldn’t have minded so much if we had a table under the radiant heaters, rather than in front of an alleyway that doubled as a wind tunnel. Or perhaps if we’d had notice upon booking that we’d be eating outside and dressed accordingly ...

Shivering, we cracked into our BYO ($7) and a good value meze platter ($8/person). Teaming stuffed vine leaves, cabbage rolls, zucchini fritters, fried eggplant and çiğ köfte on a platter, it’s a totally vegetarian dish. While they look like kibbeh nayyeh, the crumbly hand-shaped köfte are made from spiced bulgur and pomegranate molasses with heat provided by isot peppers. Wrapped in the single cos lettuce leaf (sharing suggests there should be two) under a drizzle of fresh lemon juice, they’re my favourite eat.

While eyeing off a neighbouring table’s heaving mixed grill ($54/2 people) we sampled two different kebab. Beyti kebab ($21) was the star, with seasoned ground lamb and cheese wrapped up in Turkish bread, then adorned with burnt butter, yoghurt, bulgur and a mystery tomato-based sauce. Çökertme kebab ($19) gives slices of ground meat draped on a mound of potato shreds crisped up like fries. Duelling yoghurt and their special sauce, plus a chargrilled tomato and super spicy green chilli, round out this offering.

While the prices on both mains were low, portion-sizes meant we were left a little hungry. The diced lamb pide, kuşbaşılı ($18), with tomato, capsicum and more spicy peppers, filled the hole and was both tasty and well-handled. Across the road, Hakiki lets you continue your Turkish adventure, though the baklava ($4/slice) was dry and the Turkish ice cream flavours were less inspiring than my last visit where tahini and molasses was...

Meet Ozcan: Exquisite Turkish Delicacies at Taste of Turkey in Newtown

Review:

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Taste of Turkey in Newtown, Sydney, and I must say, it was a culinary experience to remember! The restaurant's focus on authentic Turkish cuisine truly shines through in every dish.

The star of the show was undoubtedly their turkey delicacies. The chefs at Taste of Turkey have mastered the art of preparing tender, succulent turkey that is bursting with flavor. From the perfectly seasoned Turkish kebabs to the mouthwatering turkey shawarma, every bite was a delightful blend of spices and tender meat. The quality of the turkey used was exceptional, ensuring a truly unforgettable dining experience.

The menu at Taste of Turkey offers a wide variety of options for both meat lovers and vegetarians. They have an extensive selection of mezze, where you can indulge in flavorful dips, vibrant salads, and delectable stuffed vine leaves. The main course options were diverse, ranging from traditional lamb dishes to seafood specialties. However, their expertise with turkey truly sets them apart.

While the food was undoubtedly the highlight, I must mention that the ambience could have been better with seating facilities inside. The restaurant primarily offers outdoor seating, which might be challenging during inclement weather or for those who prefer an indoor dining experience. Nonetheless, the warm hospitality and attentive service from the staff made up for any minor inconvenience.

In conclusion, if you're a fan of Turkish cuisine or simply want to experience the rich flavors of Turkey, Taste of Turkey in Newtown is an absolute must-visit. The tantalizing turkey delicacies and the overall quality of the food will leave your taste buds singing with joy. Just keep in mind the limited seating facilities inside when planning your visit. I can't wait to return and savor more of their...