Izmir | Aegean Cuisine — Restaurant in Costa Mesa

We had dinner at Izmir | Aegean in Costa Mesa for iftar, but unfortunately, our experience was disappointing. We ate daily special food like fries, liver, and meatballs, along with lentil soup. However, the fries and liver were from earlier in the day and were simply reheated in the microwave before being served. The soup was also far from delicious.

Since there aren’t many Turkish restaurants in Costa Mesa, I feel like this place takes its customers for granted. It seems like they believe people will come here anyway, so the quality of the food doesn’t really matter. This was my first time visiting, and I was hoping for a better experience. Despite coming for iftar, there were no proper side dishes or accompaniments; we had to eat everything dry.

Another major issue I noticed is that the restaurant prepares fresh meals for food delivery apps but serves stale food to customers dining in. This is an unfair practice and shows a lack of respect for in-house guests. I hope this review serves as constructive feedback and encourages the restaurant to provide better service to...

Finding the location was challenging, as the shop name was not prominently displayed, and it shared space with another establishment. I ordered the white bean soup, which was only partially filled, not as warm as I expected, and had a slightly stale taste. The rice pilaf was dry and could have benefited from more buttery seasoning. Unfortunately, my experience didn't match the seller's description or the other rated reviews. The table was only partially clean, and I found the staff quite loud during my visit. Overall, I felt the prices were steep for what was offered, and I might reconsider returning. The person who took my order was very friendly and steered me to a particular food, although I would have preferred to make my own choices. I noticed that some other reviews seem overly positive, which makes me question their authenticity and...

Wow, what an incredible dining experience at Izmir! I had the pleasure of trying their authentic Turkish homemade cuisine, and it was truly delicious. The Musakka was tender and flavorful, with a perfect balance of eggplant, meat, and spices. And the Kurufasulye (bean stew) was hearty and comforting, with creamy beans. The portions were generous, and the prices were very reasonable. The service was warm and welcoming, making me feel like I was enjoying a home-cooked meal in Turkey itself! If you're a fan of Turkish cuisine or just looking to try something new, Izmir is a must-visit. Five stars and highly...