Deniz — Restaurant in New York

A Flavorful Trip to Turkey in the Heart of Brooklyn

Located in the bustling heart of downtown Brooklyn, Deniz offers an enticing glimpse into the rich and diverse world of Turkish cuisine. The restaurant, with its indoor and outdoor seating options, is perfect for a casual meal or a relaxed dinner.

The aesthetics of the restaurant are visually pleasing. The crimson red walls adorned with traditional Turkish hanging lamps lend an authentic touch, transporting diners to the streets of Istanbul. Tables are generously spaced and cater to both couples and larger groups, though the restroom left something to be desired with its spartan decor and a slight lack of tidiness.

The menu at Deniz does not disappoint. The lamb adana kebab, served with a generous side of rice and salad, is an absolute must-try. The kebab was perfectly cooked, hot, and juicy, but the lack of peppery heat may disappoint those who crave a spicy kick. Regrettably, the traditional Turkish drink, ayran, was not available on the menu, leaving us to opt for a standard Coke. This was a slight letdown, as the drink's absence lessened the authenticity of the overall experience.

For dessert, the baklava with pistachio paired with black tea was a delightful surprise. The dish, served with a dollop of whipped cream, was a welcome addition to the rich, sweet baklava. The three-piece of baklava serving was surprisingly generous, ensuring a satisfying end to the meal.

Total meal cost for one person - ~$40, not including tips.

While the all-male staff was friendly and eager to assist, the service felt a bit rushed. The speedy turnover might appeal to those in a hurry, but for diners hoping to enjoy a leisurely meal, it could detract from the overall dining experience.

In conclusion, Deniz offers a largely satisfying Turkish culinary experience in Brooklyn. While there are areas for improvement, namely the restroom facilities, the lack of traditional beverages, and the rushed service, the restaurant compensates with its delightful food and warm ambiance. The authenticity of the decor and the generosity of the food servings make Deniz a worthy visit for a taste of...

For my husband's birthday, we decided to celebrate at one of his cherished Turkish restaurants, conveniently close to home. As you approach, the restaurant's unassuming exterior conceals the beauty that lies within. Once inside, the subtle Turkish decor adds a delightful Mediterranean touch.

Upon entering, you'll notice a bar to the left and the main dining area, with the option for outdoor seating. We opted for a diverse dining experience, starting with cocktails and an array of appetizers, allowing us to savor our favorite flavors.

My husband selected the Deniz cocktail - a delightful blend of Tequila, Aperol, passion fruit, fresh lime, and a hint of agave. I, on the other hand, went for the refreshing Whatamelon - a concoction of Ketel One, fresh watermelon, lime juice, and agave syrup.

Service is impeccable and the food freshly prepared when ordered.

Our appetizer selection was equally impressive:

Stuffed Grape Leaves: A Mediterranean classic done right. Pink Queens: Roasted beets, mixed with lebni, walnut, garlic, and homemade mayo – a unique and delicious combination. Steamed Mussels: A flavorful blend of butter, shallots, garlic, red pepper flakes, wine, mussels, lemon juice, and parsley, with a choice of white or red sauce. Zucchini Pancakes: These pan-fried zucchini pancakes, infused with zucchini, dill, parsley, cheese, eggs, and flour, were elevated by a garlic yogurt sauce. Sigara Boregi: Crispy phyllo scrolls filled with feta and spinach – a delightful crispy treat. Falafel Plate: Deep-fried chickpeas and vegetables, expertly spiced with Middle Eastern flavors, served with both tahini and hummus.

Each dish a celebration of Turkish culinary expertise , and we left Deniz Restaurant with our taste buds delighted and my husband's birthday wishes...

The food is EXCELLENT!!!!! Flavorful, healthy, fresh, and presented well. The meal is also presented quickly. The atmosphere is very casual and relax. I enjoyed dinning outdoors.

The staff is very friendly. However, the only reasons why I have rated them 4 stars oppose to 5 is because I was there on a date. We were having an intimate and engaging conversation while eating our meal. Which could easily be observed by how were engaged with one another. Body language, direct eye contact etc.

However, about every 3 minutes our conversation was interrupted by a staff member to ask if we were alright? Do we need anything? Or for small talk.. I know they were being friendly but dude...they were totally disturbing the vibe. I tried to politely tell them they are doing an excellent job and if we needed anything we will call them. But they did't seem to get it. And continued to interrupt our conversation and laughter.

Another thing....they kept coming over filling our glass with water even when we said we were fine. And just took 1 sip from the glass. Besides the constant interruption the waitstaff reached across our plate of food to pour the water oppose to simply walking to the other side of the table which was closer to the glass to pour.

In conclusion. I would highly recommend this restaurant because of the cleanliness, excellent food, great location, cool relaxing atmosphere, Decent price. Friendly staff that means well. The issues with the staff can be quickly resolved with proper training from management.

Great spot to dine at with friends, family, co-workers to have a casual conversation.But not recommended for a date. Tooo many annoying interruptions. It will most likely kill the mood and memories you are...