Shrimp Sautee
Anatolia Mediterranean Cuisine

Anatolia Mediterranean Cuisine

401 East 62nd StreetNY 10065, New York, United States

Meat • Wine • Turkish • Mediterranean


"From the outside, this restaurant is underwhelming: A small storefront on First Ave so small and typical that it hardly stands out. But, both in hunger and on a leap of faith, my friend and I gave this place a chance, and we are glad we did. Inside, the restaurant is surprisingly tastefully decorated and has more seating than I would expect for such a small storefront. We were seated on the upper level by the small bar on a quiet weeknight and were immediately served, given that there wasn 't much of a crowd in the middle of the week. Though the prix fixe menu was tempting $28 for an appetizer, entree and dessert), both my friend and I opted to split the small appetizer plate and each get a small plate of our own. For her, that small plate was a lentil soup; for me, the octopus salad with feta $3). Everything that came out was delightful and great for sharing minus the soup). The small appetizer place came with 5 cold appetizers of our choosing and delicious warm bread to smear it all on. My friend is gluten free, so they even brought her a plate of crudités for no extra charge. The octopus salad was well dressed in olive oil and the octopus to salad ratio was perfect! Though I was full from the appetizer plate, the salad made a great lunch the next day. The only reason I won 't give this restaurant 5 stars is the prices for what you get, I did feel this was a bit pricey, but I don 't think this will stop me from coming back!"

Cafe Istanbul

Cafe Istanbul

2880 Holcomb Bridge RdSuite D-108, Alpharetta, United States

Cafe • Turkish • Mediterranean • Middle Eastern


"So, just to clarify, my experience is mainly focused on the food and bar service. I know people often prioritize the ambiance, hookah, and such here. Anyway, I decided to relax and pass some time before heading to a movie, and the place met my expectations. It was a relatively quiet night, so the service was excellent—your experience might differ, though! I sat at the bar, and as soon as I ordered a Guinness, it was served right away. Feeling good, I started to browse the menu. I noticed they had a basket of za'atar bread as an appetizer. I asked for it, but the server informed me that if I ordered another appetizer, I would get the bread included as well. I quickly scanned the menu and decided on the spicy dipping sauce. After my server took my order, I found myself distracted by my phone. A few minutes later, they brought out a basket of bread along with lots of spicy dipping sauce. I was excited to dig in, but then I was asked if I needed anything else. I looked at the menu again, pointed to a rice dish, and asked for the lamb rice plate. I handed over the menu and started enjoying the za'atar bread, dipping each piece in the sauce. About ten minutes later, my server returned with some large wooden containers filled with a salad, rice, and lamb, topped with plenty of veggies and spices. The dish was good, but there was something about it that felt like it was missing that extra touch for me. I liked the atmosphere of the place—it had a cool vibe, the food was solid, and I could easily see myself coming back with a group, enjoying the music, and sharing a hookah. Definitely worth another visit!"