🔗 Share this article All Culinary Artist Ought to Study At This Spot’: Humble Turkish Dining Spot Earns 4th on Ranking of London’s Best Dining Destinations. When assembling a ranking of London’s top restaurants, one might anticipate well-known Michelin-starred venues. But, nestled high among these gastronomic giants is a unpretentious salonu found in a far-flung corner of north London. A Unexpected Accolade This little Turkish restaurant, focusing in the culinary delights of Mersin, a metropolis on Turkey’s southern coast, has been named the fourth best restaurant in the city by a influential gastronomic guide. This honour has made the proprietors completely astonished. “I am totally shocked,” says a owner’s son, alluding to his family’s dedication that culminated in their humble restaurant earning such a prominent ranking on a notable 99-strong list. A Appeal of Simplicity The little venue, which started as a simple cafe before its transformation into a popular spot, has maintained much of its earlier character. It seats just over 20 people and, aside from the dazzling live cooking show, the layout remains mostly unchanged. “It is a compact and cozy place,” comments the owner. A Star Creation: Tantuni However, it is all down to the fare, and this eatery more than excels. The eatery’s eponymous dish, tantuni, is a uncomplicated joy. The meat—lamb or lamb or chicken—is prepared via steaming to maintain a tender consistency. It is then thrown into a massive pan with seasonings and oil, which are added in slowly. As the flavourful mixture bubbles up, homemade lavaş—a thin, flexible bread—is laid on top to absorb all the aromas. Thinly sliced onions and a handful of parsley go inside before the savoury meat is folded neatly inside. The wrap is typically consumed with a drizzle of lemon or some tangy accompaniments. The end result is a strong burst of flavour, with gentle hints of sumac, bold onions and rich, paprika-red oil tying it all together. Other Than the Basic Tantuni Another option is yoğurtlu tantuni, where the meat-filled lavaş is sliced and finished with yogurt, tomato sauce and aromatic brown butter. A respected food critic described this dish “one of London’s few ideal, faultless dishes”. For dessert, the restaurant’s künefe goes down a delight. It is doused in less syrup than found elsewhere, giving it a richer, more aromatic and less sickly profile. Surpassing the Giants Interestingly, this unassuming spot has been placed higher than several renowned three-Michelin-starred venues. It finds itself close to the peak of the list, trailing other high-profile dining destinations. While two people could readily leave this place stuffed for less than £25, similar experiences at top-tier establishments can run into significantly more than that price. The Creed of Hospitality The restaurant is also among several Turkish restaurants listed and is situated well outside the city’s central zones. “It’s not concerning luxury. London is an costly city. There is an expectation that in an expensive place you’re going to have the top service and best food but I don’t believe in that,” explains the owner. “I feel what is most important is warmth, kindness and a place you can be yourself and feel calm.” The philosophy is echoed by the list’s curator, who remarked that if he was in a role of authority, he would “insist to have every chef in London train at this restaurant as a finishing school, to teach them the traps of overcomplication, and to show what is achievable if you do only a handful of – or three – things to their utmost best”. A Journey of Hard Work Unlike many chefs heading kitchens in the list’s highest ranks, the head chef behind the food didn’t work at elite establishments. “I am really happy of our restaurant and our mum,” adds her son. Numerous restaurants take years to establish themselves, but this eatery first opened its doors seven years ago. Its success is due to tireless, seven-day weeks of effort. “Our mum used to be extremely tired. She would go shopping in the morning and prepare the food in the afternoon. Everything is handmade; she would handle all of this. She is a single mother and she managed a social life but her friends would come here to support her. She had children and a house to look after as well. Each of these duties shaped her into what she is now: a exceptional person,” he reflects. A Accomplishment for the Community The restaurant’s accolade is bound to resonate beyond its own doors. “In my opinion a lot of people would be proud, as I am, because the Turkish community is a major part of London,” says the owner, emphasising the greater meaning of this gastronomic honour.