Profiled by de GrootsThis restaurant exudes personality. Not of its own, but of its owner and chef Steve Huseyin Isin. A veteran restaurateur, Steve opened TurkOz six years ago and has since sold and bought it again, much to the glee of his regular customers. From his Turkish hometown of Ephesus (an ancient city of historical and religious significance), his vocal charm and love of homecooked Turkish cuisine spreads through the restaurant like a contagion. His enthusiasm for his mother culture has branched into the restaurant’s entertainment schedule which includes belly dancing on Friday and Saturday nights and coffee cup reading (similar to the reading of tea leaves).
The food itself is authentic and of a much higher standard than the average Turkish kebab outlet. Mains range from $20-$25 and include items like Barik or Karades Buglama – fish of the day or king prawns sauteed with tomato, onion, mushroom and capsicum and finished with a cream reduction. The entrees and mezes are designed for sharing around, as is the value laden range of banquets and platters. Children under twelve have their own menu to choose from, while adults can BYO at no extra cost. A dark, grainy Turkish coffee and bulbui yuvassi or baklava are imperative to finish.
Sarah Theeboom, May 2007
