Ottoman Kebab & Grill is the latest addition to a chain of restaurants owned by First Gourmet Pte Ltd, which includes the Indian restaurant Zaffron Kitchen and Prata Wala.
Helmed by Turkish native Head Chef Ali Kose, Ottoman Kebab & Grill specializes in Turkish cuisine. Their menu features Turkish favourites such as Pide Flat Bread, Homous and Mutton Kebab.
What struck me when I first entered the restaurant was their décor, or rather lack of it. Turkish restaurants tend to be heavily decorated with carpets and drapes and cushions, and often times the grandiose interior can feel imposing. Ottoman Kebab & Grill takes that away, opting for a subtler décor that still includes pieces from Turkish furnishings to provide a casual feel.
It’s something that I would prefer if I were just having a casual dinner with friends and family.
The Homous at Ottoman Kebab & Grill had a delicate balance of flavors while still remaining light on the palate, however, I would have preferred if it was more creamy as it was slightly gritty and dry.
The Pide Flat Bread was light and soft, it is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. Moreover, it exuded a nice char-grilled aroma as it has been cooked over lava stones.
The tangy feta cheese filling counteracts the possible oiliness of the spring roll.
These ground chickpea fritters were not soft enough for my liking and they were a little too dry.
This was one of the highlights of the meal. The tomato sauce was savory and made the dish very appetizing, even more so with the yoghurt that it was paired with. The grilled minced mutton patties were tender and the Pide croutons are every (inner) child’s fantasy!
This generous platter consisted of beef, chicken, fish fillet and prawns. I enjoyed the beef and chicken and found them to be very well marinated and tender, however, the prawns were overdone and the fish could have been fresher.
This delight is definitely worth the 20 minutes preparation time. Every sweet-tooth’s dream, this traditional Turkish dessert comprises of nabulsi goat cheese encased within shredded kadayif phyllo pastry and is pan fried with butter and drizzled with sugar syrup and crushed pistachios. A good balance of sweet and savoury.
Apple Tea ($3)
A refreshing drink that doubled up as a welcoming palate cleanser as the food tended to be heavy on the palate.
Turkish coffee is served in a small cup (akin to espresso shots) and the coffee is boiled with the grounds in a copper pot. The Turkish coffee has its very own distinctive flavor, medium-dark roasted grounds whose unique preparation method has allowed for the coffee oils to be released.
Let your cup sit for a minute or two when you first receive it to allow the grounds to sit and flip your cup over after you are done to read your fortune, an age old Turkish tradition!
#01-75, Bedok Mall, 311 New Upper Changi Road. Open daily: 10:00-22:00
This post was brought to you by Ottoman Kebab & Grill.
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