Temel, Fairfax
Went last night for the first time in ages. Was reminded again of how good it is. I'm not that well versed in Turkish food, but thought the babbha ganoush was even better than the Lebanese Market, as was the bread, and my husband's adana kabob and my lamb shish with yogurt were both pheonomenal, not to mention reasonably priced, especially for the setting. It's a beautiful but comfortable dining room with white table cloths, not your typical kabob shop by any means. The wait staff were very prompt and friendly. You almost felt like you were in their home. The dining room is spacious (and they've got a terffiic looking bar), though we were only one of 3 tables the entire time we were there. I wanted to spread the word because it's SO tucked away, you'd never know it was there, even driving by. It's on Old Pickett across from the Home Depot, not far from Arties. Curious what other Hounds think of it.
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I've eaten so many different ethnic foods lately but the one I was missing was Greek/Turkish food. So today I used Google to find the local Greek/Turkish restaurants near my office in Fairfax and Temel came up. I checked out the website and decided that the menu looked good and to try it out.
What a great treat!
Although the place is really in an obscure location, people must be able to find it because they have been around for nine years.
I went to a late lunch/early dinner and there were only one other party in the restaurant which scared me along with the hidden location.
Istarted out with a cup of red lentil soup which was absolutely delicious. I'm not a fan of pureed soups but this was great. Had a hint of either nutmeg, clove, or cinnamin sneaking through and very tasty. It came with a basket of very hot Turkish bread. I had an Efes beer that was cold and tasty.
The next two plates were the Dolma and Phyllo Cigar appetizers. Again, both were delicious. The Dolma wasn't soggy, the rice stuffing has pine nuts and olives as well as seasoned rice with a hint of spice. Very good. The Phyllo Cigars were stuffed with a well porportioned mixture of cheese to phyllo and then baked till lightly golden. Very tasty and neither greasy or heavy.
I then had the entree lamb kabob with vegetable skewer and side of white rice. Two nice sized lamb kabobs with well seasoned flavors on everything. I tried a glass of dry Turkish red wine called Yakut Kavaklidere that hid the spot with the lamb. For dessert I couldn't pass up trying the baklava after everythnig else was great and this didn't disappoint. Super moist, sweet, and the phyllo so crispy along with the chopped pistachios. Accomponied by a glass of amaretto, this meal was a grand slam!!!
They do a wonderful job with the food and although the menu isn't gigantic, it has everything I needed.
I highly recommend this out-of-the-way place and give it 8.5 out of 10. The only negative was that everything behind the bar including bottles, liquor, glasses, and shelves had A LOT of dust on them. -
alkapal
Mar 21, 2008 03:07 AM
where and what is "lebanese market"? are you referring to lebanese taverna market in arlington, where every mezze dish (except meat) is now a whopping 8 bucks per pound?
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re: alkapal
I was wondering if it's still like that. I never noticed a bad odor, but I haven't been to Lebanese Butcher since I started reading those reports here. Maybe it always (from three or more years back) smelled that way and I never noticed or just figured it was something cooking. Or maybe the odor is relatively new. Or maybe it's been deodorized.
I really should check it out. I've only been there at lunch time and it doesn't take very long to eat a sandwich, or I could take it home with me. Time before last, I walked up to the counter to order (for eating in) and a nicely dressed gentleman came over to me and explained that he would come to my table to take my order. Last time I just sat down at a table and waited, and waited, and waited . . and finally walked up to the counter and ordered. I guess once a butcher shop at heart, always a butcher shop even though they cook tasty food.
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re: MikeR
alkapal
Mar 22, 2008 05:56 AM
yep, mr. alka will go there when i'm out of town for lamb kebab. but actually, i prefer ravi kebab on glebe.
on related topic, last time i went to food factory there was a major 'tude. haven't been back, though their nan was the best -- and the keema kebab.
hey hounds, let me know here how much leb butcher charges for a pound of tabbouleh, please.
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re: alkapal
Is Food Factory still Food Factory? I was walking around Ballston a few weeks ago near lunch time and thought I'd stop in there. I walked back to where I thought I remembered it (back of a building adjacent to an alley off Fairfax Drive?) and it looked like it had become a sports bar. I didn't ask if they had kebabs, but went elsewhere.
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We went a couple of times a few years ago, once for dinner and once for lunch. Dinner was very good. Lunch was just ok. Thanks for posting this. I think we need to return for dinner :)
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This makes me thinks I'll have to go back! Like you, I haven't been for ages. (I used to go to a gym in Fairfax, but now I'm seldom there.) I used to eat at Temel frequently a few years ago and always loved it. I remember they had a wonderful side dish of potatoes and other veggies cooked in parchment.
