Following our Middle Eastern streak, my husband and I came to A La Turka, lured by, you guessed it,…read moretheir $45 Restaurant Week menu. The food was phenomenal, and there wasn't a single bite that we didn't enjoy. We began our meal with two appetizers, the eggplant shakshouka and the sauteed shrimp. While I preferred the eggplant for its taste, I was surprised by the small portion and the lack of egg. Isn't shakshouka known for its signature fried egg, nestled in a bed of tomatoes and peppers? I could be wrong. Nonetheless, it was delicious, and the accompanying loaf was wonderfully soft and flavored with garlic oil. It was the best table bread I've ever had. For our mains, we ordered lamb chops and adana kebab. Both were so delicious and huge! I'm often leery of lamb for its gaminess, but this one wasn't gamey at all. Rather, it had a slight funk, much like a well aged cheese. It was delicious, and the sear on that tender meat added a nice smokiness. The kebab was well seasoned and it, too, had a nice, moderate sear. For dessert, there was only one option, the baklava, and it was everything a baklava ought to be: generously soaked in syrup, the filo dough flaky, with layers of crunch from the chopped pistachios. I loved everything at A La Turka, and if I ever wanted Middle Eastern food again (which I often do these days), I'll come here!

Rushed service to the max--from the time you walk in to the time you leave. Every course is on top…read moreof the one before it. The service surrounding each course was problematic. The second you sit down, you're asked for your drink order. They bring you a name brand bottle of water instead of offering tap water, which of course goes on the bill. When our waiter removed the appetizer plates, he said our entrees would be out in 5 minutes. We had 2 healthy sized appetizers so I said, we need a little more time. Can you push it out by an extra 5 minutes? And they did. But, as soon as you're done with the entree, a different waiter shows you a dessert plate. I said we needed a little time to decide. She comes back in literally under a minute. I said, you were just here, we need a minute to decide. My companion and I decided on a dessert to share, but less than 2 minutes later, the check arrives by someone else. Case closed! Food was excellent so I gave this restaurant a 3 star, but the extremely rushed service made for a very uncomfortable experience. I've been to this restaurant a number of times and I've recommended it. But it's generally the same feeling each time. This was the worst in terms of rushed service. I had a 6:30 pm reservation on a Saturday night and the place was packed when we left. I guess they don't have to worry about my review. But, I'll never go back.

What a hidden gem in New York City! This authentic Persian restaurant is truly something special…read more The food is exceptional, the prices are very reasonable, and the staff couldn't be more welcoming. From the moment you walk through the door, you feel as though you've stepped back in time into a wonderful, family-owned restaurant where hospitality still means something. You're always greeted with a smile, and the owner personally walks through the restaurant, saying hello and making sure everyone feels at home. The food is incredibly authentic, full of flavor, and clearly prepared with tradition and care. There's something so special about discovering a place that has been here for years, quietly serving amazing food without losing its charm or character. A true hidden gem and one of those wonderful New York restaurants you want to tell everyone about. I highly recommend it and will absolutely be back!

Absolutely delightful. The food and service were top notch and there is nothing that I love more…read morethan a dimly lit restaurant. 10/10

Awesomeness!! Get the mixed grill. Yum The balloon bread is…read morereally good too. Hummus was perfectly balanced

Yes with a caveat. Was excited to eat here. I have celiac…read moreand Turkish restaurants are always a go to for me. When I asked about gluten here, the waiter looked at me as if I had 2 heads. I ordered chicken kebab and got chopped chicken. In addition there was pita delicately placed on top of the dish as decoration. Guys, please. This is not a new concept. The food was quite good. I made them swear there was no gluten mixed in. Service was fair

Best hummus in NYC. Always great vibe/service. Also nice Turkish coffee the authentic way.read more

Great food and atmosphere. Really enjoyed eating here. Ton of options and a great serviceread more

Located in Hunter's Point, LIC, this spot is a gem. The ambiance is casual and cozy and the staff…read morewas absolutely so friendly and welcoming. As it was my boyfriend and I's first time trying Turkish food, they helped explain some of the dishes to us. We got their appetizer spread, their lamacun, and their manti. Everything was phenomenal, but I highly recommend their appetizer spread and their lamacun. I loved the spread as you got the chance to try multiple different dips and it was a huge portion. Their lamacun was also the first I've ever had and it made me think: "Why haven't I had this before?" It was so good. Will definitely be coming back.

Safir is a small, cozy restaurant that makes for a great, relaxed meal. The service was warm and…read moreattentive, and it ended up being the perfect way to wrap up the weekend. The atmosphere is comfortable without feeling crowded, making it easy to settle in and enjoy the meal. The food was excellent from start to finish. The sigar borek were perfectly crispy, cheesy, and just the right amount of salty. The lamb beyti kebab was packed with flavor, and the accompanying sauces really elevated the dish. We also had the manti, Turkish dumplings that were well-seasoned and incredibly satisfying. Portions were generous across the board, and everything tasted fresh and high quality. It's the kind of place that leaves you looking forward to your next visit.

Amazing food, and the most gracious service! My waiter was the owner of the restaurant, and you…read morecould tell! His passion for the menu was very clear. Their lunch special is an unbelievable good value for the neighborhood - so much food and every bite a delight! Vegetarian options plentiful and given every bit the same care and attention as the rest of the menu, which is always nice. Thank you!

A couple Saturdays ago when the weather was perfect, we wanted a Central Park + brunch kind of…read moremorning and stopped in here. We were walk-ins and got seated right away. Their windows open out to the street, so we were sitting right by it and honestly the best part, just soaking in the weather. We ordered the baba ganoush with pita and the Turkish eggs (6/10). I'm pretty particular about my eggs and these were watery and lacked flavor. We almost never leave food behind but this time we did. The service is incredible and staff was so kind. Maybe their dinner menu is better but I wouldn't recommend coming here for brunch.

Really liked this spot for a Valentine's and a birthday party we had missed in February with my…read morepartner. Everything was nice, including the decor. The Persian lamb kabab, Sulton Kabab and Zereski rice were delicious and we will be back in the near future

Insanely delicious meal, and great for a larger group to share. Each individual entree is pricier,…read morebut justified by portion size for sharing! Super flavorful, and loved the free pita and sauces.

Beautiful restaurant with illuminated marble throughout including the tables and walls. Somebody…read morespent a lot of money to decorate this restaurant. What is a little unusual for a place this beautiful is they have TVs along the walls. This night guests were enjoying the World Cup. They also have outside seating. The food was very good to excellent. We enjoyed the octopus, hummus, tuna avacado, and the fried zucchini. The wine served by the glass or bottle was tasty and everybody enjoyed their main courses, including Lamb, short ribs, & chicken kabob. Service was good until the restaurant got busy and then our waitress disappeared for a bit. Bookmarked!

The absolutely horrendous service experience makes me question all the 5-star reviews as fake/paid…read more Came for a Sunday brunch, we were probably the only people at the restaurant when we arrived and ordered. Got a hummus and some brunch mains (hummus was to share but mostly for our toddler to get started during the wait). 30 min or so passed before they showed up with the hummus. I initially thought they decided to bring everything together so it took so long but no. Had to wait another 30 min for the mains. I had to ask for more bread since 1 hummus for 5 people was clearly not sufficient and taking 1 hour to deliver brunch food in an almost empty restaurant is beyond unreasonable. Took them another 40 min to get a piece of pita bread out, came after the 1-hour-wait mains. Manager came to apologize and said she will come back "to walk us through what happened and what they can comp". Okay... of course she never came back and the waiter took off a coffee and hummus off the bill. The two cheapest items. Not even the overpriced mocktails that are sugar water priced like an alcoholic drink and literally cost them nothing. Hummus I couldn't even eat because after 1 hour of waiting had to really entertain the toddler (who behaved perfectly until over 1 hour of sitting around in one spot starving). Really disappointing and concerning that the restaurant seems to be creating fake positive reviews that mislead customers about the actual quality.

"Average Greek" Went here for a group dinner on a Saturday…read morenight. It was fine but nothing special. I guess for the UES it's not bad but I would head downtown or across the water in Astoria for much better food. What's to cheer - standard selection of Greek food - Good red feat dip and pita bread - Fair prices - Branzino was ok and decently grilled - Zucchini chips were nicely done What's to jeer - Service was puzzlingly bad. Water was constantly refilled but difficult to get a second drink. Many people working who aren't actually waiters. No food runners from the kitchen - Calamari wasn't great - Deserts were meh

I've been here twice within the last two weeks. Once with a friend, once with my husband, cousins…read moreand best friend. Delicious both times, possibly even better the second time. Service is friendly and attentive. The cold apps we ordered came out quickly, the entrees took a little longer, but that tells me they're actually preparing the food and not just heating it up. Fine by me! The spicy feta dip and tzatziki were my favorites, but I also loved the Shrimp Santorini (orzo, shrimp, tomato sauce, baked feta) and the bite of my husband's moussaka I had was great. Their special watermelon salad was also a favorite! Cute place, good for dates, friends and families!

We went to the UES location on our way to the Roosevelt Island air tram. We chose it based on…read moretrusted Yelp reviews when searching for options in the area. We were surprised by how lovely the space is since its tucked away in the middle of the block, at the garden level. It really is delightful. It's nicely lit, with soft white lighting reflecting off its intentionally placed mirrors along the walls, which together make the space feel bigger than it is. Service was quick and attentive, and the food was delicious. I look forward to trying the UWS location, which is more convenient for me.

The food was fresh, delicious, light and flavorful. Everything you can expect from a Mediterranean…read morerestaurant. Service was attentive and friendly. Ambience was cozy, we sat in the back for the restaurant downstairs. They accommodated our party of 8. It was a bit noisier when other parties arrived and with the music was a bit harder to hear. Music is not necessary when people are talking! I would go back. Reasonably priced.