Istanbul Cuisine — Restaurant in Bellevue

HORRIBLE SERVICE - SHADY STAFF - AVOID THIS PLACE.

I work nearby and today I ordered lunch for takeout on their website in order to save time as I had a short lunch break. I arrived at their place about 15 minutes after placing the order. I told the lady behind the cashier that I’m here to pick up a takeout order under my name. She told me that “my order wasn’t ready yet” and pointed out to the other lady who was making "my food".

Then few seconds later the lady who was making “my food” grabbed a box from behind her and passed it over to me. I was surprised as just few seconds earlier the other lady had told me that its not ready yet. The box had a DIFFERENT hand-written name on it than mine.

I told her “this can’t be mine” but she assured me that it is and that the name had been “mixed up”.

When I went back to my work nearby to eat it, I noticed not only the food was COLD - but it was actually STALED - It was made at least couple of hours before.

When I called them to complain and demand a fresh one or a refund, they REFUSED but admitted that the food was made for another customer and they just wanted to “save me some time” as the order was identical.

I ended up wasting $22 on a cold staled lunch that was made for another customer who ghosted them. AVOID THIS...

Istanbul Cuisine is a hidden gem that I recently discovered, and I must say, I am blown away by the flavors and experience I had there. From the moment I entered, the ambiance was inviting and relaxed, perfect for enjoying a delightful meal. I ordered the baklava, lamb pide, and beef gozleme, and I can confidently say that each dish exceeded my expectations.

The baklava was a sweet and flaky pastry that melted in my mouth, leaving behind a heavenly combination of honey and nuts. It was the perfect balance of indulgence and lightness, making it a dessert that I will crave for days to come.

The lamb pide was a flavor-packed delight. The tender lamb, coupled with the fragrant herbs and spices, created a mouthwatering experience that had me savoring every bite. The crust was perfectly baked, providing a satisfying crunch and complementing the rich flavors of the filling.

As for the beef gozleme, it was a true treat. The thin, savory pastry encased a generous amount of succulent beef and a medley of vegetables. Each bite was a burst of savory goodness, and the combination of flavors was simply fantastic.

土耳其风味很像新疆菜...

In an unassuming mini-strip mall across from the Factoria big boys (Rack, Target, DSW) we found a jewel. Sure it looks like a teriyaki joint or a sandwich chain, but the food is very different. A number of Turkish pizzas to choose from (not your Italian version here) several traditional entrees (kabobs, etc) and half dozen or so appetizers. We split the babaganoush and I can't imagine coming in again and not ordering it. Chunky, spiced just right and fabulous on the pita bread it came with. We also split the ground beef pizza --- a boat of slipper shaped piece of thin pita-like bread filled with ground beef in a tomato sauce and topped with fresh tomatoes and green peppers. Light and tasty. The kabob platter on a neighboring table looked huge. We'll be back to further explore the menu. Staff speaks okay to so-so English, but are eager to please. But boy, do they...