Not counting dodgy doners kebabs which are about as Turkish as The Pope, my knowledge of Turkish food is somewhat limited at best. Fortunately, I had heard some very good things about this highly regarded international chain of Turkish restaurants, so popped down to see what the fuss was about.
I was pleasantly surprised to discover a beautifully modern restaurant and a most friendly and personable manager called Thomas. A cup of Turkish tea and some warm fresh bread soon took me away from the surrounding bustle of the city as I perused the menu. What immediately struck me were the prices, with most main courses around the £7-8 mark and starters at £3-4. With the elegant surroundings, I had to check that the prices were correct, but sure enough they were. Fortunately, as we were to find out, the affordable prices had no bearing on outstanding quality of the food.
We started with a sharing platter which arrived attractively presented with nine colourful tasting dishes – available for just £10. Delicious morsels included Miutebel (a warm oven roasted aubergine dip aubergine), Pachanga Biurey (filo pastry stuffed with cheese vegetables & sausage) and Ichli Kiofte (intriguing steamed balls of cracked wheat stuffed with minced beef). We also separately ordered a plate of Grilled Haloumi (apparently regularly imported from Northern Cyprus) which managed to wonderfully balance its creamy and salty flavours.
For mains we decided to test their grilling skills to the max by trying the Mixed grill. Lying under a large thin layer of flat bread was a carnivore’s dream – the most perfectly grilled lamb chops, lamb fillet, chicken & cheese wraps, grilled tomatoes and some large grilled whole green chillies for the brave hearted. It also included some beautifully seasoned doner kebab meat, which they make it on-site every day. Our accompanying Turkish Merlot – which may raise a few eye brows – was also an inspired selection with a light and smooth finish.
Feeling full but still hungry for more, we were treated to some unexpectedly lovely desserts. Irmik Helvasi (cinnamon scented baked semolina pudding cooked with pine nuts & filled with a scoop of ice cream), was like a comforting baked Alaska, but the star of the show was their freshly made Baklava. In particular, their Chocolate Baklava was worth the trip alone, and we couldn’t resist asking for more to take home with us!
It’s rare in London to find restaurants which combine great food, service and venue with genuinely affordable prices, but Tike manages to tick all the boxes. Whilst I’m searching to end on a more profound note, I can’t help but use the obvious pun by saying this was a real Turkish Delight!
Food: 4/5
Venue: 3/5
Value: 5/5
Cuisine type: Turkish
Meal for two (excluding drinks): £35
Wine: £3.75
Tike Grill & Bar
5 Fenchurch Place
London EC3M 4AJ
Tel: 020 7702 9965
Ryan Glancy
