It was so good to be back at one of my favourite restaurants yesterday even though this time it would be a little bit different. This is due to the current situation so we would be sitting outside. Oklava had managed to set up outside dining by placing bar stools outside each window therefore giving the staff the opportunity to serve you from inside the restaurant. This was a great idea that meant considering they had five windows could accommodate fifteen to twenty people at a time. So we arrived on saturday and luckily enough it was a lovely day. We received a nice welcome before being told which window was our table. The menu which is designed as small plates for sharing only had to be adjusted slightly but some of our favourites were still there. After a chat with one of the waiters we placed our order and waited for the amazing food created by chef Selin Kiazim to arrive. We then met new general manager Conall who really looked after us throughout our visit to choose some wine where after a couple of tastings we chose a Turkish rose. Now it was time for the first few dishes to arrive. We started with the Baharat Bread with the most amazing Medjool Date Butter. This was followed by the Courgette , feta & mint fritters. Along with these were the Whipped Feta with candied pumpkin , chilli & sourdough crackers.
Next to arrive was the amazing and a big favourite the Grilled Hellim with honey , oregano & lemon. Then lastly was the special of the day some fabulous lightly battered Hake. These were simply delicious and really wish we’d ordered more.
This now led us onto the main event which we could simply call Pide & Chips. The first pide was S.P.I.C.E garlic sausage , tomato-chilli sauce , kasar & broken eggs which was absolutely delicious and not for the feint hearted. Then if the first pide was delicious the second pide was stunning. It was cuttlefish , preserved mussels , chilli spiked blue cheese dressing & herb butter. These were accompanied by the Cyprus potato chips with herb mayo & chilli salt.
This ended a truly amazing lunch where the Turkish food was absolutely fantastic. This was matched by friendly and professional service so I would highly recommend a visit soon if you can’t wait for the restaurant to be fully open. It was very quirky to be seated outside on stools looking into the restaurant but I believe it works. Now looking forward to the restaurant to be fully back open as I can’t wait to come back.
Thank You to Selim , Laura , Conall and the team for a fabulous lunch and looking forward to seeing you all again soon.
My Hospitality Life 