The food of heaven

Our first visit to Iznik was nothing short of a revelation. It had seemed an ideal rendezvous for a small group of us (before heading to Brixton for an Altin Gün concert) but as soon as we arrived it was clear our expectations had been way too modest. The interior, housing a exquisite personal collection of Ottoman embroidered fabrics and ceramics, so took our breath away that choosing a table and viewing the menu had to wait until we had given them at least a cursory inspection. Literally everywhere we looked, there were delights for the eye; and the discreet, charmingly incongruous 1940s swing band music added greatly to our happiness. Further sensory pleasures followed. A plate of mixed meze dips showed how even simple dishes can become sublime when carefully prepared from scratch, and there was a fight over the last of our delicious Mücver courgette fritters. We chose lamb two ways for our mains, and both proved wonderful; the Sote was rich, spicy and complex - while the Sis Iznik captured the very essence of the tenderest lamb, with a refinement I’d never experienced in my favourite Ocakbasi grills. Both superlative. Too full for desserts, we enjoyed some perfect Turkish coffee and lokum (my partner would only let me smell her fresh mint tea!) ... and left our consummate hostess Pirlanta as friends. Iznik is more than a restaurant; it’s a celebration of Ottoman splendour and tradition, but also an unexpectedly sophisticated personal expression of generosity and taste. We have a new favourite!

We recently dined at this restaurant and it was a great experience. The hospitality, service, atmosphere, and delicious food were all exceptional. The staff was knowledgeable and attentive, and the quality of the ingredients and presentation of the dishes were impressive. I would highly recommend to everyone.