🔗 Share this article Each Cook Must Study Here’: Unassuming Turkish Eatery Ranks 4th on List of London’s Best Food Spots. Whenever curating a list of London’s finest restaurants, one might expect familiar high-end establishments. Yet, nestled near the top among these culinary giants is a unpretentious salonu located in a outlying part of northern London. An Unexpected Honour This small Turkish spot, focusing in the street food of Mersin, a city on Turkey’s south coast, has been crowned the fourth best restaurant in the city by a prominent culinary publication. The honour has left the proprietors utterly shocked. “I’m totally astonished,” states a proprietor, alluding to his family’s hard graft that culminated in their small place securing such a prominent spot on a notable 99-strong list. A Appeal of Modesty This little venue, which was a basic cafe before its transformation into a sought-after food hotspot, has kept much of its former character. It accommodates just over 20 people and, beyond the vibrant live cooking performance, the setup remains largely unchanged. “It is a compact and cozy place,” comments the owner. A Star Offering: Tantuni Ultimately, it’s all down to the food, and this eatery certainly excels. The restaurant’s eponymous dish, tantuni, is a uncomplicated delight. Choice of meat—whether lamb or chicken—is prepared via steaming to preserve a moist, juicy texture. The meat is then added into a massive pan with seasonings and oil, which are incorporated in bit by bit. When the flavourful mixture heats through, freshly made lavaş—a soft bread—is placed on top to soak in all the juices. Thinly sliced onions and a handful of parsley are added before the tasty meat is wrapped securely inside. The wrap is usually consumed with a drizzle of lemon or some tangy accompaniments. The outcome is a powerful slap of flavour, with soft hints of sumac, bold onions and spicy, paprika-laced oil tying it all together. Other Than the Classic Tantuni Patrons can also try yoğurtlu tantuni, where the savoury lavaş is cut up and crowned with yogurt, tomato sauce and aromatic brown butter. The leading food critic described this dish “one of London’s few flawless, impeccable dishes”. For dessert, the eatery’s künefe goes down a treat. It is doused in a more modest amount of syrup than is typical, resulting in it a richer, nuttier and less sickly profile. Surpassing the Titans Remarkably, this modest spot has been placed higher than several renowned three-Michelin-starred establishments. It finds itself just behind the summit of the list, following other high-profile dining destinations. Whereas two people could readily leave this place stuffed for below £25, equivalent tasting menus at top-tier establishments can run into many times that amount. The Philosophy of Heart It is also part of several Turkish restaurants featured and is located well beyond the city’s central zones. “It’s not concerning luxury. London is an expensive city. It is assumption that in an high-cost place you’re going to have the top service and best food but I do not agree with that,” says the owner. “In my view what is paramount is warmth, friendliness and somewhere you can be yourself and feel calm.” The sentiment is shared by the list’s editor, who stated that if he was in a position of authority, he would “make it mandatory to have every chef in London visit this spot as a final lesson, to teach them the dangers of excess, and to reveal what is achievable if you do only a handful of – or three – things to their very best”. The Story of Hard Work In contrast to most chefs running kitchens in the list’s top ten, the driving force behind the food didn’t work at elite restaurants. “I feel really proud of our restaurant and our mum,” concludes her son. Numerous restaurants take years to find their footing, but this eatery first launched seven years ago. Its popularity is due to tireless, seven-day weeks of dedication. “My mum was really tired. She would go shopping in the morning and make the food in the afternoon. All of it is prepared manually; she would do all of this. She is a solo parent and she had a social life but her friends would support her to help her. She was raising children and a house to care for as well. Each of these responsibilities shaped her into what she is now: a exceptional person,” he shares. An Accomplishment for the Community The restaurant’s success is likely to resonate beyond its own walls. “I believe a lot of people would be pleased, as I am, because the Turkish community is a significant part of London,” concludes the owner, pointing out the wider meaning of this gastronomic achievement.