🔗 Share this article All Cook Should Study Here’: Modest Turkish Dining Spot Ranks Fourth on Ranking of London’s Top Restaurants. When assembling a list of London’s best dining spots, one might anticipate renowned Michelin-starred venues. However, tucked near the top among these culinary heavyweights is a simple salonu found in a outlying area of northern London. An Surprise Accolade This little Turkish eatery, specialising in the specialties of Mersin, a port city on Turkey’s Mediterranean coast, has been crowned the fourth best restaurant in the capital by a prominent gastronomic guide. This recognition has left the owners totally astonished. “I am completely shocked,” states a family member, referring to his family’s relentless work that led to their small shop securing such a prominent spot on a respected 99-strong list. A Appeal of Simplicity This compact space, which used to be a simple cafe before its transformation into a buzzing food hotspot, has retained much of its original feel. It fits just over 20 people and, except for the impressive live cooking performance, the interior remains essentially unchanged. “It’s a small and stocky spot,” notes the owner. A Star Dish: Tantuni However, it is focused on the food, and this establishment certainly delivers. The eatery’s signature dish, tantuni, is a uncomplicated joy. Choice of meat—lamb or lamb or chicken—is prepared via steaming to maintain a moist, juicy texture. The meat is then thrown into a sizeable pan with seasonings and oil, which are added in gradually. As the savoury mixture bubbles up, homemade lavaş—a pliable bread—is slapped on top to soak in all the aromas. Thinly sliced onions and a sprinkling of parsley go inside before the savoury meat is wrapped tightly inside. It is usually eaten with a squeeze of lemon or some pickles. The outcome is a mighty slap of flavour, with gentle hints of sumac, punchy onions and rich, paprika-red oil pulling it all in harmony. Other Than the Basic Tantuni There is also yoğurtlu tantuni, where the savoury lavaş is cut up and crowned with yogurt, tomato sauce and cooked, nutty browned butter. The respected food critic described this dish “one of London’s few ideal, faultless dishes”. For sweets, the restaurant’s künefe goes down a treat. It is coated in a more modest amount of syrup than found elsewhere, resulting in it a richer, more aromatic and less sickly flavour. Rising Above the Titans Remarkably, this modest spot has outplaced several illustrious three-Michelin-starred venues. It finds itself near the peak of the list, following other notable dining destinations. While two people could readily leave this place stuffed for under £25, comparable meals at top-tier establishments can cost significantly more than that amount. A Creed of Warmth It is also one of several Turkish restaurants included and is situated well outside the city’s most expensive zones. “It’s not about luxury. London is an costly city. It is assumption that in an expensive place you’re going to have the top service and finest food but I do not believe in that,” explains the owner. “In my view what is most important is friendliness, kindness and a place you can be yourself and feel calm.” This sentiment is shared by the list’s editor, who stated that if he were in a position of authority, he would “insist to have every chef in London visit this spot as a finishing school, to show them the traps of overcomplication, and to show what is attainable if you do only a handful of – or three – things to their utmost best”. A Story of Hard Work In contrast to many chefs heading kitchens in the list’s highest ranks, the head chef behind the food did not work at fancy restaurants. “I am really pleased of our shop and our mum,” says her son. Numerous restaurants take years to become successful, but this one first started seven years ago. Its acclaim is thanks to relentless, seven-day weeks of effort. “Our mum used to be really tired. She would go shopping in the morning and prepare the food in the afternoon. All of it is handmade; she would handle all of this. She is a solo parent and she had a life outside work but her friends would come here to help her. She was raising children and a house to manage as well. All of these duties made her into what she is now: a remarkable person,” he shares. A Recognition for the Culture The restaurant’s recognition is likely to resonate outside its own doors. “In my opinion many people would be pleased, as I am, because the Turkish community is a huge part of London,” concludes the owner, pointing out the wider meaning of this culinary honour.