Restaurant review - John Kaponi

Cirrik - 106 Crown Lane, Southgate, London N14 5EN - tel:  0208 920 6782

Traditionally Turkish/ Kurdish restaurant's have been stereotyped as kebab based, breaking the mould is a new wave of "Ottoman" inspired cuisine in the heart of north London, "Cirrik" a 40 cover restaurant set in a modest side road behind Southgate tube.

Engin, the young stylish manager of "Cirrik" is quick to point out that the restaurant caters for all the various communities in the area, who range from Greek, Turk, Kurd and Jews amongst other, the food is adventurous with a slight influence of the Levant, with the cold meze (pictured) which offers humous, tzatziki, fresh vegetables, to the mix hot meze which has the "Sucuk" or the Turkish sausage, Houlloumi Greek cheese and kalamari.

The real selling point of "Cirrik" is the fact that the team behind it want the customer to see the food being cooked, and that you do.  A traditional "Anatolian" style cooking chamber has been created to allow customers see the food cooked in charcoal and to smell the amazing aroma of the meat cooking on the coals.

Highly recommended is the house special Gop Shish with yoghurt or the Lamb sarma beyti, which is a casserole of meat with yoghurt.  

In the restaurant the owners have also mounted art-deco style paintings and art, which gives the restaurant a unique bohemian feel.

For a three course meal expect to pay about £10 per head, the special Valentines deal is fixed menu at £25 per head which includes 2 cold starters and 2 hot meze, a main course and dessert with a glass of bubbly.

3/5 Good