I haven’t been to Turkey since I was a child, but after trying the Istanbul Restaurant, which recently opened in Freeman Street, Grimsby, I think it’s safe to say that it’s the closest thing to visiting the country without boarding a place.
Mariwan Qubadi and the team provide authentic cuisine from the likes of Turkey, Romania and Iran. On their menu are classics such as shawarma, special naans and baba ghanoush.
With the option of taking away or sitting in, it’s ideal for anyone who fancies a bite to eat while out shopping. I opted for a lamb shawarma, special naan bread, their special soup and a whole host of dips to boot.
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I was blown away by what was put in front of me. To start with, Mariwan brought out their famous soup, made from a secret recipe. It was like a taste explosion. There was plenty of heat and depth, without it becoming overpowering.
With the days getting darker and colder, a warming winter soup is arguably the best thing for you, too. I could have eaten gallons of the stuff, but knowing that I still had my main to come I decided to just stick to the one bowl full.
Next up came the shawarma, a Middle Eastern dish in which the meat is slowly turned on a rotisserie before being cut into thin strips. The lamb was tender from the first to the last fork full and there wasn’t an ounce of fat. Crispy meat blended perfectly with softer strips giving it a brilliant texture and taste.
The dish was served with basmati rice and a salad garnish, with an array of sauces. The freshness of the salad and the tartness of the sauce complemented the meat perfectly.
I moved onto the dips and special naan bread. Coated in sesame seeds, it provided a nutty texture, which I really enjoyed, and the dips just put the cherry on top of the cake. The earthy taste of the naan married wonderfully with the light refreshing flavours of the yoghurt and mint, baba ghanoush and homemade chilli and pepper sauce.
I genuinely cannot fault the Istanbul Restaurant. It’s a must for anyone wanting to tuck into some authentic Turkish food and the quality dishes come at reasonable prices. It’s two thumbs up from me!
Read more food reviews from Grimsby Live.