In between house duties, house duties and more house duties I have occasionally managed to go for a little wander around my new area. I was told that of the millions of Turkish restaurants lining Green Lanes, that one stands out so last weekend I tracked it down.
Gokyuzu doesn't look particularly special from the outside - just one of many Turkish restaurants with kebabs in the window and a steaming hot counter for takeaway just inside the door. You can tell from looking in that it is nearly always full, that plates are also pretty full and that the people eating there look relaxed and satisfied. This place makes you feel as though you are one of the family as soon as you step through the door. They immediately lead you to a recently vacated table (the turn around is tremendous) and seated.
Seconds later a basket of warm flatbread and a dish of tzatziki is placed in front of you, closely followed by menus. If you look around, you'll notice that regulars don't really look at these and just order a long string of things before going back to their conversation. The place has that kind of casual atmosphere that can only be created by 2/3 of the tables being made up of people who go there at least once per week. I love it and am fully intending on becoming one of them very soon.
Most dishes come with rice and salad. They serve the salad first with the meze even when ordered as part of the main so you can pick on lovely fresh veg throughout. The mixed meze is a delight, especially the aubergine dishes which you can choose from.
Meat portions are hefty and great value, making sharing pretty much mandatory. If you slightly under order you'll find yourself full. If you order a normal amount, you'll be stuffed and if you over order you can take a huge bag of it home with you. Their meat is lean and grilled - perfect for leftovers.
As we were finishing up our meal, I spotted this incredible looking dish on the table next to ours. I immediately asked what it was and found my neighbour to be a fellow food blogger! Celia Brooks writes a fantastic recipe for this herself, which I'm yet to make myself but will very soon. The dish is called Yayla Corbasi and is a rice and yoghurt soup. Celia's post gives the history of this traditional Turkish dish so head over there to take a look (link here). I can't wait to make it at home.
In the meantime I'm already planning my return to Gokyuzu to taste theirs... Like I said, soon I'll be part of the furniture.
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