Authentic Turkish Food

[bunty]

Our family visited the LAL in August on recommendations from the forum. We were left disappointed by the service. We reserved a table for a Sunday night at 8.00 p.m. Once a large party arrived to take up their reservations, the restaurant was full, and we got rather overlooked. Fed up with waiting to order desserts, we decided to get the bill, and have ice creams in town.

I know the LAL is very popular, and many people have posted positive experiences. The slow service has put us off returning, as there are so many more on our list to try. But bear in mind, as has been said, that we went at peak season, and on a weekend night, and their first season. So others might be fine, wouldn't want to put anyone else off going, but you have to speak as you find. It's just worth being aware of these issues, as Erik the Viking, Rew, Dragon and myself have all commented on them.

But if its Turkish cuisine you're after, have you considered Cafe Rose? We had a lovely meal in Rose's garden on her Turkish night, also in August this year. Can't get more authentic than that. For anyone who doesn't know, easiest way to explain location, is to make for Ekinci Palace, and then its 5 mins walk, and fairly well signposted from there. She was really interested when I told her that the internet was making her famous. I will try to upload the photos of this meal soon. x

Bunty x

[tannedjulie]

i liked the look of this place but my hubby is a bit off a fuss pot do they do all turkish or english as well and what is the kids food like.

[blondie]

If you're talking about the Lal, Julie, the menu is wholly Turkish/Ottoman and they don't do a separate kids' menu. I think someone posted on a previous thread saying that one of their party was a fussy eater and the plainest thing they could find on the menu was a grilled chicken dish? I think they will do smaller portions for children, but they don't have an actual kids' menu as such.

[ochlynda]

When we went in the summer they refused to do a half potion of anything on the menu for our daughter.

Lynda

[blondie]

One of the nights we were there, there was a couple at the next table with a wee girl, and I'm sure they did a smaller portion of something for her - she was probably about 6-ish.

[ochlynda]

Well they refused to do Niamh a half potion all they offered her was a very bland piece of grilled chicken. not a very happy bunny as Niamh loves her food.

Lynda

[Erik The Viking]

Well they refused to do Niamh a half potion all they offered her was a very bland piece of grilled chicken. not a very happy bunny as Niamh loves her food.

Lynda

we thought most things looked like half portions!!

[blondie]

Well they refused to do Niamh a half potion all they offered her was a very bland piece of grilled chicken. not a very happy bunny as Niamh loves her food.

Lynda

we thought most things looked like half portions!!

Wow, you must have some appetite then - I couldn't finish mine,and even my hubby struggled and he's a big eater!

[dragon]

we thought most things looked like half portions!!

We thought so too. It was the only meal we had where we felt as if we'd had a snack not a meal. From other people's comments it must vary a lot by the meal that you order, not only if it's good or bad but also the portion size. To be honest with my meal I was glad that the portion was small as it was mostly yogurt!

I will try the Lal again as hopefully they'll be better next year, but I'll check on the forum to see what other members recommend on the menu. I loved the restaurant itself.