I think it’s fair to say that a dish has got to be up there with one of your favourites when you’ve thought about it every single day since you first tried it.
For me, a traditional Turkish dish in the form of a rich, hearty and warming stew has lived rent-free in my head since I ate it for tea at a new restaurant in Cleethorpes a couple of weeks ago.
The new 06 Turkish Restaurant on Market Street opened its doors to the public last month, so of course it didn’t take me long to get down there to give it a try – and I’m so glad I did.
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After being served our drinks and browsing the menu for what felt like forever, my partner and I ordered a hummus starter to share. For mains, he chose the Mixed Kebab from the Charcoal Grill, which was marinated lamb meat, chicken meat and lamb mince, served with salad and rice.
I would’ve usually gone for a kebab too, but this time I wanted to try something I’d never had before. Under the ‘Sac Tava’ section of the menu I noticed the word ‘Guvec’ in some of the dishes, and after a quick Google search I learned that this is a traditional Turkish stew, which looked absolutely delicious.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
I ordered the Lamb Guvec, which was described on the menu as lamb meat with capia peppers, green peppers, onion, tomato, garlic and butter. A winning combination, if you ask me.
I really loved that before the Hummus starter was served, we were brought a selection of dips and authentic Turkish bread to nibble on as we waited. Each dip had its own individual, characteristic taste, but my favourites had to be the one on the spicier side and the garlic and herb.
If you’re ordering the Hummus as a starter, here’s a little tip – don’t eat most of your bread with the dips like we did! But that aside, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better presented plate of Hummus in my life. It was perfectly creamy, with a generous helping of olive oil seasoned with paprika in the middle of the plate.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
But my Lamb Guvec main course – just wow. I’ve never eaten anything like it in my life, and it absolutely blew me away. It was served piping hot, still bubbling in a round skillet straight from the oven, encased in freshly baked bread – the closest thing I can compare it to would be a thicker type of white tortilla.
To reveal the actual stew, I had to cut a large hole in the bread around the edge of the skillet, which I thought added a really fun element to the dish. Underneath was a bubbling bowl of deliciousness, and I couldn’t wait to dig in.
Don’t do what I did and start eating it straight away, because you’ll burn your tongue. I’d definitely recommend taking a couple of minutes to let it cool down – but I warn this may be difficult because of how amazing it looks.
(Image: Grimsby Live)
The tenderness of the lamb combined with the hearty flavours of paprika, garlic and onion and the softness and sweetness of the peppers reminded me of Hungarian goulash, if I had to compare it to any other dish I’ve tried. But because of the way it’s served, the Lamb Guvec was a unique dish that had a character all of its own.
It feels ridiculous to even admit that I’ve thought about this particular plate of food every day for the last two weeks straight, but my mouth honestly waters whenever it pops into my head.
I can’t wait to go back and try it again – and if you’re heading to 06 Turkish Restaurant, take my word for it and try the Lamb Guvec. You will not be disappointed.
