Ottoman Cafe

LOCATION
Located in the West End, ten minutes from the CBD.

PROFILED BY DE GROOTS MEDIA
Owner/chef Geoff Yildiz has been involved in the restaurant industry for as long as he can remember and has an impressive history behind him. His beginnings were in Turkey where he developed an appreciation of traditional Turkish fare and later he owned and ran Turkish restaurants in London before opening Ottoman seven years ago. The atmosphere is that of an old Turkish home, complete with the delicious smells from the kitchen. The menu offers fresh Mediterranean flavours starting with mouth-watering spicy yoghurt or traditional chickpea dips and grilled hellim cheese (haloumi) served with lemon and herbs. For a main course the tender lamb shanks baked in a herb and tomato sauce are always popular, as is the mixed grill of lamb cutlets and chargrilled, herbed chicken. The menu offers Mediterranean salads served with home-baked garlic herb pide as well as Anatolian pizzas and vegetarian dishes. The meal is not complete without trying a traditional pistachio or walnut baklava.

Meagan Hepworth