A new look, a new menu – Ala Turkish has relaunched after 3 months promising a more polished and refined experience. Muneebah Osman recently visited and breaks down her experience of this re-invented Turkish hot-spot.

A New Era of Ala Turkish

My parents and I tend to enjoy an afternoon meal out every so often, and the task often falls to me to decide where we’re eating with the instruction to, “find something different for a change”. So, after an opportunistic conversation with my cousin (who runs this page) we decided on the revamped Ala Turkish.

On a chilly Sunday afternoon, we headed to the restaurant where we were welcomed out of the cold, with our server waiting. The restaurant was empty when we got there as we were a bit early for lunch, so we had our pick of the tables. The interior is well lit, with marble top tables, gilded mirrors on the walls and a heater near where we were seated to ward off the chill. As lunch hour progressed more people arrived with some braving the cold to sit in the outside seating area. There were a few heaters strategically placed to ensure the diners remained warm.

After taking some time to peruse the menu we decided on the Artisanal cheese sticks for our starter. Described as a mix of cheddar and mozzarella cheese in phyllo pastry, they arrived warm and melted. While they were not well seasoned, the sticks were accompanied by a mint yogurt sauce to add some needed freshness to the dish. The breading was unexpected, and unfortunately led to the phyllo pastry remaining soft, where we would have preferred them to be crispy.

We took some time to decide on our mains as there are many options, and our waiter was very attentive and knowledgeable. He took us through the items and offered suggestions based on our preferences. The menu offers a good variety of traditional Turkish dishes, as well as newly added sections for curries and pastas. The pide section has been expanded and now includes stuffed crust pizza – which the table next to ours ordered and it looked fantastic.  

Dad opted for the Lamb Chops which are served with chips and rice (which he requested to be just chips), onion rings, pickled cabbage and onion, mint yogurt sauce and flatbread. The portion was generous, but we found the lamb was quite bland. Mom ordered the Lemon Chicken Luxe; a dish of chicken pieces in a rich lemon cream sauce served with Turkish bread. The chicken was tender and succulent, but the lemon flavour in the sauce was a touch too pronounced and would have been more delicious if it was toned down a bit.

I ordered the Baked Cheesy Sarma; Adana lamb medallions sliced and topped with cheese, wrapped in flatbread, baked and then smothered in a rich tomato-based sauce, served with chips and rice (I also opted out of the rice), pickled cabbage and onion, and plain yogurt. As the lamb was described as flavoured with chilli on the menu I was expecting at least a bit of heat, but it was quite mild. Mom and I could not finish our meals and likely could have shared a main and been satisfied. The manager came around to check on us as we were finishing our meal and was quite friendly and appreciated the feedback we gave on our dishes.

When we visited the dessert section had not yet been added to the menu as the dessert kitchen was still under construction. The basic desserts on offer were still available to order, and though we were initially against ordering a dessert, our waiter convinced us to try the baklava, which was as delicious as he promised it would be.

A variety of hot and cold drinks are on offer, and while my parents went for a cappuccino and hot chocolate, I was intrigued by the Deluxe Shakes on the menu. I opted for the Ginger Crumbed Cookie and was pleasantly surprised by the taste of fresh ginger blended into the drink as opposed to a flavoured syrup. It was a satisfying end to a very enjoyable meal. 

With prices ranging from around R150 and higher for a main it is a bit pricey. The interior restaurant offers a lovely space for a celebratory meal while the outside dining area and shisha lounge are ideal for casual gatherings. The dessert bar will offer an extra seating area once complete. I look forward to going back to try it, and perhaps some other items from the menu.

Find them in The Rockwell, Napier Street, De Waterkant. Full details here.