Iznik
About Iznik
Established in 1989, this trendsetting Turkish restaurant frequented by Islington’s intelligentsia. Iznik is the modern name of Nicaea, an ancient Turkish town known for the richly decorated pottery and tiles produced there in the 15th and 16th centuries. Beautifully decorated with dark wood, bright pink walls, floral tiling and lots of multicoloured glass lanterns hanging from the ceiling, it evokes the spirit of an Ottoman palace . Just as impressive is the authentic menu based on traditional Ottoman cooking (generally spice-free lamb and vegetable dishes), overseen by the congenial owners, a husband and wife team. Everything is prepared fresh on the premises, including the homemade yoghurt which they make from organic milk. Local regulars have include Tony Blair, when he lived in Islington, Nigel Slater, Katherine Hamnett and David Starkey amongst others. A restaurant with real character. Fully air-conditioned.
Full a la carte
Starter
Soup of the day - £3.95Humus - £3.50
Taramasalata - £3.50
Fava - £3.50
Patasea koftesi - £3.50
Falafel - £3.50
Dolma (vine leaves) - £3.75
Mucver(courgette and feta fritters with kisir) - £3.50
Kisir (cracked wheat with tomatoes, peppers and lemon juice) - £3.50
Imam bayildi - £3.75
Pitta bread - £2.00
Main Course
Falafel served with humus and salad - £7.50Mucver served with kisir and salad - £7.50
Pirasa (fresh leeks, carrots, rice braised in olive oil served with rice and salad) - £7.50
Chicken Iznik (char grilled chicken breats marinated in cream, milk, black pepper and olive oil served with salad and rice) - £7.75
Musakka served with salad - £7.75
Kadin budu kofte (ground lamb with rice, onions and parsley fried in egg and flour served with ispanak tarator, rice and salad) - £7.75
Karniyarik (aubergines stuffed with ground lamb and baked in special tomato sauce served with rice and salad) - £7.75
Tavuk begendili (chicken in a creamy aubergine sauce topped with grated cheese served with rice and salad) - £8.50
Anatolian kebab (lamb knuckles baked in tomato sauce served with rice and salad) - £9.00
Yogurtlu kebab (marinated lamb in a tomato and mild chilli pepper sauce with yogurt dressing, served on pita bread) - £9.50
Sis kebab served with rice and salad - £9.50
Karides guvec (sauteed prawns with green peppers, tomatoes and onions) - £9.50
Dessert
Baklava - £3.50Bramble mousse - £3.50
Asure - £3.50
Revani (semolina cake drenched in syrup with thick cream) - £3.50
Armut tatlisi (poached pears stuffed with pistachios with chocolate sauce and cream) - £3.50
Sutlac - £3.50