Selale Restaurant — Restaurant in London

Selale together with the remaining restaurants on Green Lanes decided that the pandemic and inflation has been a perfect opportunity to "cash in" - under the disguise of additional costs - due to aforementioned circumstances! Whilst restaurants certainly had to increase prices, others though did not do what the the Turkish restaurant owners on Green Lanes did. Namely, ridiculous hikes, not at all in line with inflation and consequently additional true costs, they actually faced but an opportunity to fill their pockets excessively. Disappointing! I regularly eat out several times a week and carefully have studied prices in town and locally of all the different places I dine at. Fine dining/ white table cloth places such as chains like Cote, which used to be more for many years significantly pricier than Green Lanes suddenly have become a cheaper food option than a regular restaurant on Green Lanes. Certain things on the menu are actually double the price than in other non Turkish restaurants in the area. Therefore, the alleged "bills went up", just does not wash, otherwise other restaurants would have also similar increases to the percentage the Turkish food has gone up! Also, the various owners of Turkish restaurants on Green Lanes more or less have identical prices since the last major increase, which suggests price fixing. Can just picture the lot sitting together, getting all excited about this once in a life opportunity to take the "piss unpunished", knowing that many of their simpleton customers won't know better. I assume the approach was "if we all charge the same ridiculous identical high prices, then customers will conclude "these are normal increases", that reflect the additional costs. On a different note, I read other reviews, where people complained about no tea being available on certain days and "excuses" of having run out of it. The truth lies probably closer to that on particular busy celebration days the owners/management want customers quickly out, in order to create additional turn over for their tables. The 'no tea available" mentioned by other reviewers is not a one off, which leaves me to conclude the explanation given by management in response to reviewers on here, is nothing but an excuse that translates into : I take my customers for idiots and they will just " swallow whatever story I tell them"....Well, not...

I usually don't leave reviews but after having had food yesterday elsewhere, I realised what a difference there can be. Since I had food at Selale on Monday and today again, I have a very clear memory to compare the little details. Before, the assumption was that all restaurants on Green Lanes are very similar but how mistaken I was. We usually eat fish and prawns at Selale but have tried the Kofte and lamb, when my friend orders it. Very tasty! King Prawn dish and Seebass mouthwatering yummy. Nice and dry, from the grill no unnecessary oil. Fresh, crispy vegetables again without oil, not some overcooked ready made veggies that have no nutrients left. Selale's veggies - straight from the pan. The starters and desserts I tried in the past, I liked them all and I am one hell of a fussy eater. Tasty Kunafe and rice pudding. Stylish wine glasses, where wine has space to breath. Most importantly though, absolute lovely staff! Each single one of them! Never came across a single waiter with an attitude. All attentive and go out of their way to provide an unusually amazing service. I have come here for around a decade and at times been eating there once or even twice a week. The hundreds of meals I had by now certainly allow me to judge: Consistent great quality of food and extraordinary service! A lot of staff has been there for a long time, which creates a nice atmosphere and certainly indicates a positive work environment, some credit to management. What deserves in particular mentioning - kitchen staff! Chefs in general tend to be grumpy and bad tempered in most places, the guys working at Selale are just adorable and always friendly even during extremely busy periods....If you are a "regular" in one of the other places on Green Lanes and thought they are all the same - give Selale a try and you might be as positively surprised as I was negatively surprised when I was invited yesterday to another Turkish restaurant on Green...

Came to the Selale Restaurant to celebrate my niece’s nikah (wedding ceremony). All families were invited to the restaurant to celebrate after the official religious Islamic ceremony. The restaurant is on a very busy high road. Parking is free on Sunday on single yellow and street bays but please park responsibly. The restaurant has a very large floor space with the front having an open style opening which allows you to look inside from the street and creates a lovely street style eating vibe. Total capacity must be over 300+. When we arrived we were shown by staff to our side area which you can book for an event or occasion, even though some tables reserved we had customers eating on them. This was quickly resolved by management and after half an hour wait for some relatives everyone was seated. The restaurant was very busy with all section full of customer enjoying their meal. For our function we were given a set menu of cold starters meze with bread and salad offered with tap water. Main food came after half an hours as mains were confirmed. Starters were very nice, fresh and tasty. Main platters followed next with shawarma, chops, ribs, rice and meat and chicken bites and wings. Food was lovely, hot, fresh and very tasty. Some found the food salty but for me it was ok what I expected from a Turkish platter and Turkish food. The waiters and waitresses were very friendly, helpful and great service. They took good care of us changing plates, cutlery as required and top up salad/sauces and water as requested. They were fast and efficient. After mains they served us desert which was given by the brides family rashmalai sweets and the restaurant served it with Turkish tea and lovely combination. Everything was done smoothly and everyone enjoyed the food, service and atmosphere created. Thank you to all staff and...