Food: ☆☆☆☆

Service: ☆☆☆☆

Ambiance: ☆☆☆

Cost: $$

Must try: Everything!! Acili Ezme, Babaganush , Adana Kebab, Kalamar

(This meal was complimentary which did not affect my review.)

 

Ever since I visited Turkey a few years ago, I have been on the hunt for authentic Turkish food.

 I think I’ve finally found that perfect destination, where the food is really reminiscent of the fabulous eats I had in my travels.

 I was recently invited to review Roka in Kew Gardens, which is co-owned by the charming Annette Dulger. Chef Erol Firat mans the kitchen  where the emphasis  is on regional cuisine from the Western part of Turkey.

 

 

 The restaurant is bright and cheery decorated with mosaic murals and functional furniture. The warmth and hospitality of Turkey pervades every corner of this space.

 But please let me talk about the food…

 It was fabulous…every bite I took – put me in heaven!

 What distinguishes the food at Roka is the painstaking effort made to procure the freshest, finest ingredients.

 The meats, vegetables, cheeses etc. – everything comes from natural farms or the very best ethnic grocery stores. Annette spends her only day off driving 2 hours to local farms to bring the freshest vegetables she can find.

 All of this effort pays off on the plate. Everything we tasted was outstanding from the cold mezze to the hot kebabs and of course the dessert.

 I loved their Acili Ezme which is their version of a Muhamarra. Their cold mezze was delicious – everything from the Hummus to the Babaganush to the Haydari (labne) and much more.

 I thought their fried calamari was superb – fresh, light and crispy. The kebabs were really tasty too – my favorites were the Adana kebabs.

It hasn’t even been 6 hours since I came back form Roka and I’m already planning my return…. I recommend you do too!

 

 Here is some of what we ate:

 

Turkish Bread and Olive Oil

 

Mixed Appetizer Platter

 

 

Acili Ezme

 

 

Kalamar

 

 

Sigara Boregi

 

 

Icli Kofte

 

 

Hummus

 

 

Haydari

 

 

Zeytin Yogil Yaprak Dolma

 

Mucver

 

 

Domates Soslu Patlican

 

 

Babaganush

 

 

Mixed Grill

 

 

Tavuk Kebab

 

 

Doner Gyro

 

 

Adana Kebab

 

 

Shish Kebab

 

 

Chicken Adana

 

Lahana Dolmasi

 

 

Rice

 

 

Turkish Tea

Kunefe