I’ve in no way ventured to the Mediterranean, but I have experienced my reasonable couple of styrofoam packing containers of grease and regret saying to showcase the region’s cuisine.
So I experienced no plan what to be expecting when I walked in to Kaniklar Mangal, Maidstone’s latest Turkish cafe.
The grand opening of the Kaniklar Mangal Turkish restaurant in Maidstone
Previously Finch Home, the artisan café in 7 days Street has been reworked into a dining location with seating for up to 100 people today.
As I stepped foot into the restaurant, I could not assist but notice that it was roomy and fantastically adorned – a considerably cry from the stinging fluorescent bulbs and shouting you get at 3am soon after a booze-loaded night time out.
In point I might go significantly as to say the location was in good shape for a day evening.
I even dropped the lady I’m observing a textual content, until I remembered she was vegetarian – a brief as soon as around at the menu and realised there were being veggie selections, get in!
With ceramic plates, metal knives and forks and durable tables, I obtained the perception that I experienced walked into an institution which had an air of luxury to it.
I was met with a warm welcome from operator Ali Kanik and his brother Naki Kanik, who run a number of takeaways in the space, owning fulfilled them at the grand opening before this thirty day period.
Now it was time to genuinely delight in the working experience, without the cameras and droves of first-time consumers.
I was optimistic. Google evaluations were glowing and put it over Master Kebab in Gillingham, which is rated Medway’s 10th greatest eatery and has 4.8 out of 5 stars on evaluate web-site TripAdvisor.
I’ve been to Grasp Kebab, and although it is excellent, it definitely could not examine.
One particular factor that popped up time and time once more was the atmosphere.
From the instant I stepped in I was endearingly referred to as boss, the audio was ordinarily Mediterranean and relaxing and I felt vital.
I eagerly scoured the menu for what would be my lunch.
To choose from there have been kebabs, yoghurt kebabs, burgers, pizza, steaks, fish and vegetarian dishes.
At any time the purist with whichever I do, I wished the most authentic encounter.
‘Mangal’ translates as ‘open charcoal grill’ in Turkish and I was happy to see almost everything was designed contemporary in front of you.
In the conclude I selected to go with the rooster doner platter, with slices of meat served with rice and freshly cut salad.
The salad was of real particular desire to me, Im ordinarily utilized to a bomb of lettuce stacked higher to the brim of my takeaway box.
Luckily I was presented with a vary of possibilities, with crimson cabbage, tomatoes, lettuce and jalapenos, all seasoned.
When Ali Kanik requested if I wished rice or bulgur wheat, I immediately replied both and the hospitable male acquired to work.
My waitress appeared pretty much quickly with freshly oven baked Turkish bread, and a chilly meze to go with it.
I would go on to understand that the cold meze was called acili ezme, a spicy salsa which is made up of tomatoes, onions, crimson bell peppers, cucumber, padron peppers, olive oil, high-quality table salt and chilli flakes.
I could convey to a wonderful deal of preparation experienced gone into the full course of action and the services was economical but considerably from rushed.
I tucked into my bread and cold meze in advance of I was again greeted by my waitress for my beverage preference.
Not wanting to break the bank, Tap water, I responded, to which she retrieved for me in a extravagant glass jug.
It wasnt extended ahead of my foodstuff arrived and I wasnt unhappy.
For starters (no pun supposed), the presentation was top notch, absolutely not the bomb internet site you would acquire at 3am on a night time out with chilli sauce bursting at the seams of a takeaway box.
It was a genuine platter suit for a king.
When I tucked into my meal, I was further than ecstatic, so lots of flavours blended jointly.
Theres just one thing about clean food presented with a smile that just reels me in.
The meat was succulent, the rice was filling, the salad was cooling and the bread and mezes manufactured a nest for all of these ingredients to dwell in.
I could inform the family members took delight in providing a top quality company which targeted on shopper expertise at an reasonably priced cost of £13.
The meal was absolutely not greasy neither regretful, in fact, I incredibly substantially savored my Mediterranean experience and I would go once again!
Out of 5:
Meals: Exquisite, surely a filling lunch and I suppose would be an even larger evening meal.*****
Consume: My choice of faucet h2o meant that I did not take a look at as well considerably, while I have experimented with their Turkish tea before and I can vouch for that. ****
Decor: Clean, present day, intended perfectly, strong yet common. *****
Personnel: Well mannered and caring, normally purpose to present the finest for the buyer. *****
Price: Affordable at a whopping £13! ***