Dinner at Alaturka

 

For our anniversary we decided to go to one of the Turkish restaurants in Ipswich - Alaturka is our favourite of the ones we've been to even though we've only been there twice. And it didn't disappoint :)

(Photos not the best quality, my phone struggled in the low light)

  

We shared the mixed meze starters rather than pick our favourites, so that we'd get some things we might usually overlook. This time that'd be the grilled haloumi, which I don't think either of us would've ordered but we both enjoyed. The dips included a beetroot one & a caramelised carrot one neither of which we'd tried before. We did think it could've done with a bit more bread (but not enough more that we asked for another basket) - I think we must just eat more bread than restaurants expect, as we often think that.

For main courses we stuck to lamb as we'd chosen to have a Turkish red wine to drink. J had Kofte Guvec (meatballs in a tomato-y sauce) and I had Ali Nazik (minced lamb cooked on a skewer with veg served on top of pureed aubergine, in a tomato-y sauce). They sound a bit similar but actually tasted quite different - both good.

 

For pudding, I went off-theme as the only dessert I really fancied was the chocolate cake, whereas J went with the Sutlac (a sort of rice pudding) which he enjoyed. We got a bit of Lokum (Turkish delight) when we got the bill, and I should've gone with that for my dessert - I have childhood memories of not liking Turkish delight but this was actually rather nice. Perhaps because it was pistachio flavoured rather than rose flavoured, and more firm in texture than I remember.

We finished our meal with coffees, and a small glass of Hare, Turkish liqueur - I had mint flavour and J had raspberry. Another time I should have the Raki, which sounds like it's related to Ouzo & I know I like that.

A good evening out :D