One of my favorite things about the Upper East Side is the diversity of the cuisine and the fact that some restaurants have been in the same location for decades. This is why I recently dined at Uskudar Turkish Restaurant, named after a neighborhood in Istanbul, which has been operating in the same spot for nearly 23 years. This relaxed and intimate restaurant located at 1405 Second Avenue between 73rd and 74th Street, was the perfect getaway for a night of international cuisine and company. I was fortunate to dine with my friend, Hakan, who hails from Istanbul, to make my Turkish evening complete!
We started out with my favorite hot Turkish appetizer of all – borek. The lightly layered dough was filled with feta cheese and spinach and fried until golden brown. The borek was delightfully crisp and had just the right balance of feta and spinach. If I had it my way, I could have eaten borek all evening!
However, Hakan knew best and suggested we try the Chef’s Mixed Grill so I could try all of Uskudar’s famous kebabs. The mixed plate included tender cubes of baby lamb, chicken adana, lamb patty, and baby lamb chop, all marinated in a special seasoning with white rice cooked with pasta. Of course, on top of all the delicious food, I was able to sample Turkey’s national drink – raki! However, don’t mistake raki for water like I did. Once water is added to the already transparent drink, raki changes color and becomes a milky white, which gives it a distinct and pleasant licorice-like taste. There is a reason Turkish people call their national drink “lion’s milk” - so drink with caution!
Finally, a Turkish dinner is not complete without dessert and Turkish coffee. I chose kadayif, a shredded wheat confection with walnuts and honey, while Hakan opted for keskul, a coconut pudding. For someone with a sweet tooth, kadayif is by far my favorite Turkish dessert. I loved how it was made with just the right amount of honey and wheat. As we enjoyed our desserts and Turkish coffee, Hakan told me that when one is finished with his or her coffee, the cup is turned over into the saucer. After the grounds have cooled, the patterns of the coffee grounds can be used for fortune telling called kahve falı. According to Hakan, my Turkish coffee predicted many more dinners at Uskudar with him, and I think he may be right!
In addition to the delicious food and great company, I truly enjoyed the overall dining experience at Uskudar. In Turkey, food is meant to be savored and enjoyed over a long period of time. The staff at Uskudar was not only friendly and accommodating, but they allowed us to leisurely enjoy our meal and surroundings. It is no wonder they have been serving the Upper East Side for 23 years. I urge everyone looking for a unique and enjoyable evening to indulge in the delectable cuisine of Turkey at Uskudar Turkish Restaurant!
1 comments:
I've had their coffee. You'll never go to a Starbuck's again.
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