Anatoli

Twenty years ago, while travelling in Turkey, a Bedouin man approached my friend and offered to buy me for 20 camels. “Filter or plain?” asked my friend.

Located in the cosmopolitan suburb of Greenpoint, a stone’s throw down the track from the city centre and the popular V&A Waterfront, at Anatoli Turkish Restaurant it’s anything but plain. The exotic fare is varied and delicious. The Turkish-themed décor is funky and warm, the service is attentive yet relaxed, and the food just keeps on coming. I counted no less than 29 starters on offer – from mashed potatoes and chick peas stuffed with tahini, pine nuts, cinnamon, onion and dressed with chilli oil; lamb livers tossed in spicy flour, deep fried and served with lemon and sumac-dressed onions; traditionally cured baby tuna; lentil, carrot, cheddar cheese and walnut, dipped in breadcrumbs, deep fried and served with chilli garlic yoghurt… the choice is staggering. (And those are just the famous meze starters. The main meals, while not quite 29 in number, are equally delectable.) The enormous wine list is well thought-out and offers something for all budgets.

An evening at Anatoli will lighten neither your wallet nor your belly, and it will most definitely lighten your spirit. I would happily trade 20 camels – the four-legged variety – for a night at Anatoli.

Anatoli has been around for a good while in Cape Town, which means it must be pretty good! The meze are the real reason to go, wonderfully presented, the tarama and hot dishes are fantastic. Don't forget the freshly cooked pita bread to go with it. The mains are either gigantic kebabs, the swordfish being excellent or big, hearty casseroles. Rounded off with a baklava and turkish coffee, this is a really authentic place, the surroundings are well done and not tacky. Its in a really vibrant area and a worthy visit before partying the night at the bars and clubs nearby.

Set in a 100 year old Victorian warehouse, Anatolis is warm and inviting. With an average meal costing around R90, you expect more from the service when deliciously warm breads are thrown nonchalantly onto your newspaper covered table. But you soon realise this adds to the relaxed vibe of Anatolis and you soon settle in to a tasty assortment of Turkish Mezze. A superb spot to enjoy good food and an easygoing and friendly vibe, in the company of good friends.