All Culinary Artist Must Learn Here’: Unassuming Turkish Restaurant Ranks Fourth on List of London’s Best Dining Destinations.

Whenever curating a list of London’s best dining spots, one might expect renowned award-winning establishments. However, tucked high among these food titans is a modest salonu located in a distant corner of north London.

An Surprise Recognition

The little Turkish restaurant, specialising in the specialties of Mersin, a city on Turkey’s southern coast, has been declared the 4th best restaurant in the city by a prominent culinary publication. The recognition has made the family utterly astonished.

“I’m totally shocked,” remarks a proprietor, alluding to his parents’ hard graft that led to their modest place securing such a prominent spot on a respected 99-strong list.

The Charm of Modesty

The compact space, which used to be a simple cafe before its change into a sought-after food hotspot, has retained much of its earlier charm. It accommodates just over 20 people and, aside from the impressive live cooking show, the layout remains mostly unchanged. “It is a compact and cozy spot,” comments the owner.

A Star Dish: Tantuni

However, it is all down to the food, and this restaurant more than succeeds. The restaurant’s signature dish, tantuni, is a uncomplicated joy. Choice of meat—lamb or lamb or chicken—is cooked with steam to preserve a succulent texture.

The meat is then added into a massive pan with seasonings and oil, which are incorporated in slowly. Once the meaty mixture heats through, handmade lavaş—a pliable bread—is placed on top to absorb all the flavours. Thinly sliced onions and a sprinkling of parsley are placed before the flavourful meat is folded tightly inside.

The wrap is often eaten with a drop of lemon or some pickles. The end result is a strong slap of flavour, with gentle hints of sumac, sharp onions and spicy, paprika-laced oil bringing it all together.

Other Than the Classic Tantuni

There is also yoğurtlu tantuni, where the meat-filled lavaş is chopped and topped with yogurt, tomato sauce and cooked, nutty browned butter. The leading food critic called this dish “one of London’s few flawless, impeccable dishes”.

When it comes to sweets, the restaurant’s künefe goes down a treat. It is doused in less syrup than usual, resulting in it a more intense, nuttier and not overly sweet profile.

Surpassing the Giants

Remarkably, this unassuming spot has outplaced several renowned three-Michelin-starred venues. It finds itself just behind the top of the list, trailing other high-profile dining destinations.

While two people could easily leave this place stuffed for below £25, equivalent experiences at high-end establishments can cost significantly more than that price.

The Ethos of Warmth

It is also among several Turkish restaurants featured and is located well beyond the city’s central zones. “It is not concerning luxury. London is an costly city. It is belief that in an high-cost place you’re going to have the finest service and finest food but I do not subscribe to that,” states the owner.

“In my view what is crucial is hospitality, friendliness and somewhere you can be yourself and be calm.”

The sentiment is echoed by the list’s editor, who suggested that if he were in a position of power, he would “insist to have every chef in London train at this restaurant as a finishing school, to show them the traps of overcomplication, and to demonstrate what is possible if you do only a handful of – or three – things to their very best”.

The Story of Dedication

Unlike many chefs running kitchens in the list’s highest ranks, the head chef behind the food didn’t work at elite establishments. “I feel truly proud of our restaurant and our mum,” adds her son.

Many restaurants require years to establish themselves, but this one first launched seven years ago. Its popularity is thanks to relentless, seven-day weeks of effort.

“My mum would be really tired. She would source produce in the morning and make the food in the afternoon. All of it is prepared manually; she would manage all of this. She is a single mum and she balanced a life outside work but her friends would come here to help her. She had children and a house to look after as well. Each of these responsibilities forged her into what she is now: a exceptional person,” he shares.

A Accomplishment for the People

This restaurant’s accolade is set to resonate outside its own doors. “I believe a lot of people would be happy, as I am, because the Turkish community is a significant part of London,” notes the owner, highlighting the greater importance of this gastronomic achievement.