Having spent a wee bit of time in that part of the world, I usually find myself somewhat disappointed with most Middle Eastern fare that we have on offer here in Auckland. Most restaurants and takeaways lack authenticity, some are over priced, and a few are just plain awful. So the first time I walked into The Turkish Cafe on Broadway, Newmarket, I was expecting more of the same.
I couldn't have been more wrong.
We walked in to a packed restaurant, which is generally a good sign. It is logical to assume that if the place is popular, the food must be good. It took awhile for us to get the attention of the waiter, but eventually we succeeded and were seated in the sheltered courtyard. Being a weekend, and the restaurant being a popular haunt for those that frequent Newmarket, tables were a premium, inside or out. Despite the cold weather, we were quite comfortable at our seat by the gas heater. While it probably won't win any awards for decor, the restaurant was comfortable and clean.
The menu was extensive, with a page for entrees, two for mains and another for wood fired pizzas, not to mention several options for salads and dips. After carefully considering our options, we decided on our order and once again attempted to catch the eye of the waiter. This proved to be a challenge and ended up being one of Turkish Cafe's few failings. For such a busy night, they seemed woefully understaffed, with only two waiters (for accuracy's sake, I should state that one was a waitress) and a bartender to serve customers. Still, when the waitress did finally arrive, she was friendly and cheerful, and apologetic for the long wait. We decided on a Mixed Borek to share for our entree, Anatolia for Eva's* main, and the Tavuk Soute for me. Not being big drinkers, we settled on two non-alcoholic cocktails: Horse's Fall for the lady, and a Limonata for me.
The drinks arrived first, and were excellent by all accounts. Well mixed, with the perfect blends of ingredients and refreshing flavours. The entree soon followed, and with it came the realisation that this was no run-of-the-mill Turkish restaurant. The borek were phenomenal. Cooked perfectly and flavoured exquisitely, I was transported back to the middle east. I can safely say I have never had a more authentic borek in New Zealand. Of particular note was the Ottoman's Borek: spinach, feta and cottage cheese, baked in a filo wrapping. Eva also especially enjoyed the sauces that accompanied the dish: yogurt, hummus and an amazing mild chilli sauce.
Bouyed by the simple brilliance of the entree and the drinks, I was looking forward to our mains. These arrived and it was immediately apparent that the folks at The Turkish Cafe don't skimp on serving size! The Tavuk Soute was served with a mound of rice, salad and a generous helping of hummus and pita bread. The equally generous serving of chicken itself was slow cooked to a flavoursome, melt in your mouth goodness that words just cannot describe. Eva's Anatolia was equally impressive, with more of the delish mild chilli sauce, and beautifully grilled chicken that was simply sublime. That these mains cost only $25 each was an added bonus. Finally, filled til we could barely move, we made our way to the bar to settle the account. The total bill for the entree, mains and drinks came to $79. Not bad for the quantity and quality of food we just enjoyed. Once again though, The Turkish Cafe were let down by the slow service, as we had to wait quite some time before someone was free to process our bill.
So there you have it. In a nutshell, The Turkish Cafe is the best Turkish/Middle Eastern restaurant I have been to in Auckland. It may be better to visit them on a weeknight, or early on the weekends when they aren't so busy, as they don't seem able to cope with their own popularity. The slow service won't be enough to deter me though... I'll definitely be back for more.
Vital Stats
Address: 80 Broadway, Newmarket
Phone: (09) 520 2794
Website: http://www.turkishcafe.co.nz/
Restaurant Class: Casual Dining
Parking: Wilson Carpark (openair) next door. 30mins free parking during The Warehouse operating hours. Casual to a maximum of $4 from Monday-Sunday from 4pm. For rates, visit their website here.
Best to book ahead if you want to dine there on a Friday or Saturday night.
* The names have been changed to protect the innocent.
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