380942 Wed Mar 14 10:09:38 -0700 2007 4 18 Manhattan 0 2384683 We walked in last night at around 7pm - after noting the cash only and BYOB sign and stopping at the liquor store next door to pick up a bottle of wine. The place was quite full and filled up while we were there. At 40, I was, aside from a table with a child, by far the youngest person there. It has (faux?) wood panelling, a small bar, some interesting light fixtures and some very peculariar art portraying women smoking. It has taken the place of a former Greek coffee shop. We ordered: Patlican Salatasi - smoked eggplant mashed with garlic, olive oil - quite good Mussels Dolma - large mussels on the half shell stuffed with rice - delicious - alone worth going back for. Cacik - yougurt mixed with cucumber, garlic and dill - also delicious Arnavut Cigeri - lightly fried phyllo scrolls stuffed with feta cheese - tasty They brought what I was told was Turkish bread - sort of looked like foccacia, but not yeasty - had sesame seeds on top and would have benefited greatly from either being heated or fresher (but not sure what it is supposed to taste like - just didn't find it particularly appealing). Next time I might ask for some pita to try it out. For a main course, we shared the Karisik Izgara - mixed grill with char grilled ground lamb, chargrilled chicken and lamb kebab pieces and grilled lamb chops, served with rice pilaf (a nice medium grain rice, a little sticky - but not what I think of as pilaf - ie, no other ingredients) and potatoes (which were non-crispy french fries - maybe with a little seasoning). The meats were all well seasoned and nicely grilled. With the mezze we ordered, and an additional Cacik, this was plenty for the two of us. The bill before tip was about $65. I came away thinking that it was a little bit on the pricey side, but quite good and a nice addition to the neighborhood. I overheard one of the waitresses telling another customer that they now take reservations, based on customer requests for same. They also do takeout and delivery. Wed Mar 14 10:09:38 -0700 2007 10985 MMRuth 1 2385272 Thanks for the review. Where is it? How would you compare it to other UES Turkish, like Uskadar or Beyoglu? Also, regarding their BYO policy . . . how is their glassware? Wed Mar 14 12:18:01 -0700 2007 2384683 74446 Vinous 2 2385395 Glassware - ok - not tiny glasses - you just have to stop them from filling your glass. I've not been to Uskadar - only to Beyoglu once - I remember liking their mezze - but I think the main courses at this place are better and more varied in choice - based on that limited experience, I prefer Peri Ela. For Middle Eastern food generally, my husband thought Al Bustan was better. It's on the east side of Lex, between 90th & 91st. Wed Mar 14 12:43:04 -0700 2007 2385272 10985 MMRuth 1 2385828 I went last week and liked it, but prefer Beyoglu. Wed Mar 14 14:21:47 -0700 2007 2384683 80329 jbnyc 2 2428263 When I was reading the review, I was thinking "This sounds like Beyoglu" (which I love). Nice always to have another option in the neighborhood. Thank you for the review! Wed Mar 28 07:39:31 -0700 2007 2385828 12065 CorgiLover