🔗 Share this article All Culinary Artist Ought to Train At This Spot’: Humble Turkish Dining Spot Earns Fourth on List of London’s Best Dining Destinations. When compiling a ranking of London’s finest restaurants, one might expect familiar award-winning establishments. But, situated high among these food giants is a unpretentious salonu situated in a distant part of northern London. An Unexpected Honour This compact Turkish restaurant, concentrating in the street food of Mersin, a city on Turkey’s southern coast, has been declared the 4th top restaurant in the metropolis by a respected food magazine. This honour has left the proprietors utterly astonished. “I’m completely astonished,” remarks a owner’s son, alluding to his family’s hard graft that culminated in their modest restaurant securing such a prominent spot on a notable 99-strong list. The Character of Modesty This compact space, which was a simple cafe before its change into a buzzing destination, has kept much of its original charm. It accommodates just over 20 people and, beyond the vibrant live cooking display, the layout remains mostly unchanged. “It is a small and stocky spot,” notes the owner. A Signature Creation: Tantuni However, it’s all down to the fare, and this eatery definitely delivers. The eatery’s eponymous dish, tantuni, is a uncomplicated pleasure. The meat—either lamb or chicken—is steamed to maintain a tender texture. The meat is then added into a sizeable pan with seasonings and oil, which are added in bit by bit. Once the flavourful mixture bubbles up, freshly made lavaş—a soft bread—is placed on top to soak in all the juices. Finely sliced onions and a dash of parsley go inside before the tasty meat is wrapped neatly inside. It is often eaten with a squeeze of lemon or some pickles. The outcome is a strong burst of flavour, with soft hints of sumac, bold onions and rich, paprika-red oil tying it all in harmony. Other Than the Classic Tantuni There is also yoğurtlu tantuni, where the savoury lavaş is chopped and topped with yogurt, tomato sauce and aromatic brown butter. A respected food critic described this dish “among London’s few ideal, faultless dishes”. When it comes to dessert, the eatery’s künefe proves a delight. It is coated in lighter syrup than usual, imparting it a deeper, more aromatic and not overly sweet taste. Rising Above the Stars Remarkably, this unassuming spot has outplaced several renowned three-Michelin-starred venues. It finds itself close to the summit of the list, just after other esteemed dining destinations. Whereas two people could readily leave the restaurant full for less than £25, comparable tasting menus at luxury establishments can start at significantly more than that amount. The Philosophy of Hospitality The restaurant is also part of several Turkish restaurants included and is found well outside the city’s most expensive zones. “It’s not about luxury. London is an costly city. There is an expectation that in an expensive place you’re going to have the best service and top food but I don’t believe in that,” explains the owner. “I feel what is crucial is hospitality, friendliness and a place you can be yourself and feel calm.” This philosophy is supported by the list’s compiler, who remarked that if he were in a position of power, he would “insist to make every chef in London visit this restaurant as a masterclass, to show them the dangers of overthinking, and to show what is possible if you do just one – or three – things to their utmost best”. A Journey of Hard Work In contrast to most chefs managing kitchens in the list’s highest ranks, the driving force behind the food did not train at Michelin-starred restaurants. “I feel very proud of our restaurant and our mum,” says her son. Numerous restaurants need years to find their footing, but this eatery first started seven years ago. Its success is thanks to long, grinding, seven-day weeks of effort. “My mum used to be very tired. She would source produce in the morning and make the food in the afternoon. Each item is prepared manually; she would do all of this. She is a solo parent and she had a life outside work but her friends would visit to encourage her. She had children and a house to manage as well. Each of these responsibilities shaped her into what she is now: a remarkable person,” he shares. A Recognition for the Community This restaurant’s recognition is bound to have meaning outside its own premises. “I believe numerous people would be happy, as I am, because the Turkish community is a significant part of London,” notes the owner, highlighting the greater importance of this culinary achievement.