Sofra Istanbul
Where: 245 Florida Road, Durban
Open: Monday noon - 10pm, Tuesday to Friday 10.30am -10pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 10pm.
Call: 031 303 2285
I was quite happy to let my birthday slip past, unnoticed. After all the eating and drinking that involved various Christmas and New Year celebrations, it felt like there should be a little quiet time and possibly a bit of a detox would be a good idea. Besides, it wasn't a big one (although it’s coming dangerously close to a horrendous one).
But the Poet would have none of it. She and the family insisted. They would take me out to lunch. The Advocate would join us.
And so we gathered at one of my favourite spots on Florida Road - Sofra Istanbul - where warm hospitality meets authentic Turkish cuisine.
We’re soon sipping on good home-made Turkish lemonade - or complementary Turkish tea, while we decide to order a number of sharing platters so we can all tuck in. It’s the best way to eat here.
The mixed grill for two - actually it could feed a lot more - takes in all the various grill options. There’s a good lamb shish kebab, the meat succulent, juicy slices of donner meat carved from the revolving grill, a spicy adana kebab flavoured with peppers, good lamb chops, plus lovely moist cubes of chicken shish kebab and tasty chicken kofte. It all comes with chips and salads and a good spicy tomato salsa and the classic Turkish garlicky yoghurt. Plus hot lavash and gozleme - a Turkish flat bread topped with lamb and beef mince. What a feast.
We added a mezze platter which included roasted veg with brinjals, peppers and potatoes with sauces and a good authentic hummus served with a rustic Turkish brioche style bread. We ordered more of this bread and the gozleme to mop up.
And then there was the Turkish style paella. This was a spicy pilaf, spicier than the Spanish style, but with a lovely depth of flavour, topped with chicken and prawns done on the open coals. Full marks here.
Owners Zohra and Ismail Teke insist on spoiling me too. I must try their clay pot meatballs. These are home-made meatballs cooked in a good thick spicy tomato sauce in a clay pot that is covered with a pastry and baked in the oven. The aroma when you crack open that pastry crust is a treat. The meatballs were top notch and we all enjoyed pulling that pastry off the dish to mop up the sauce. And sorry we only thought about taking a picture when it was an empty dish.
I use Sofra Istanbul a lot on Mr D and often turn our busy Friday into falafel Friday with their excellent falafel platter which includes everything - salads and roasted brinjals, garlic yoghurt and spicy tomato chilli salsa, all mopped up with fresh lavash. Their saucy chicken and hake fried Turkish style are regular treats at home.
Desserts include an excellent baklava, and my favourite, kunefe, which is a type of shredded phyllo wrapped around cheese that’s baked in the oven and topped with a sweet syrup and pistachio nuts. It’s one of those must tries. But the Istanbul team also gathers round and sings happy birthday with much hand clapping and a slice of revani - a simple Turkish semolina cake that’s delicious.
What a treat.
Food: 4
Service: 4
Ambience: 4
The Bill: I was spoilt for the day