You can't miss Izgara with its wide frontage by day, and at night jumping flames. It evoked imperial Rome come to life, all excitement. My family already liked their branch in Edgware and were keen to try out their Turkish food in Hatch End.
Seating, Warmth, Welcome & Atmosphere
The sign at the door said wait to be seated, but our group included a mother was not willing to wait outside in the cold with baby. The manager in charge of seating rushed over to intercept us, to seat us and perhaps avoid crowding at the door in Covid-19 times. He was welcoming and immediately understood mother's concern about cold. He selected an indoor table far from the open sided front. The waiter who took the order was Greek and also engaging.
I loved the purple inside.
Five of us wanted a table late on Sunday night when it felt like Saturday, bustle and brimming with people, couples, foursomes and a jolly party at the far end. They laughed so much I wanted to rush over and ask them for ideas for my humorous speech contest. They were taking selfies and laughing at the results. Maybe that's the secret. Take selfies of yourself pulling funny faces and show the pictures to your audience - after they have had a few drinks from the cocktail list.
Cocktail Menu
The cocktail menu included cocktails but we went straight to the food. (The Sprite ordered by our table turned into Fanta, and though the Fanta was sent back it appeared on the bill as Fanta.)
The wine glasses were clearly marked with the measures. 175 ml. 250ml.
The four month old Baby on her back patiently waited for her bottle of milk, whilst being entertained by her grandad who asked her if she liked Turkish food, and did she want the fish or meat? She responded to his raised eyebrows with lovely smiles. This kept all of us amused.
Food - Starters
The food was faultless, almost. The yogurt and bread was a great way to assuage hunger pangs of one of our members, mother. And as everybody knows from the film title, if Mother ain't happy, nobody's happy.
The yogurt was just right for counteracting the slightly too spice red something or other.
We asked for the starters and main courses served together. We were hungry and in a hurry. (To get the baby home.)
My chicken liver starter was perfect. The liver was slightly breaded. The ensemble was enlivened by cooked onions spiced up with some kind of herb.
Main Courses
Two sorts of fish, salmon and another, suited the pescatorian (who eats meat at home but keeps kosher).
We picked and mixed. We were full and had enough food to take home.
No desserts
I never saw the coffee or dessert menu. I think that Covid-19 regulations mean they must reduce the tables and space them, and reduce staff, so the menu is limited.
Take away boxes
They spotted that we had stopped eating and I was holding a plastic lidded box They brought up four silver foil take away boxes and a brown paper bag with handles.
The bill was 86 UK pounds sterling for four, including service. We had no coffee, nor desserts, nor alcohol.
Baskin Robbins
However, we crossed the road to Baskin Robbins for ice cream cones. (Described in the next post.)
I chose pistachio. A large scoop in a conical wafer, enough for two.
A day later I rediscovered the delights of the Turkish food in the take away boxes. (Americans say take out.) The liver was perfect. On a par with my other all time favourite in Hatch End, B & K. (B and K best for take away, kosher style European food and an unpretentious lunch for twosomes and foursomes at tables for four. Izgara is ideal for a fun evening meal in a big place, more glamorous, for larger groups, at higher prices, two, four or more.)
The next day I was back to the Turkish takeaway of my leftovers and could not believe how good it tasted. Huge chunks of chicken kebab. Aubergine, yummy. Vegetables to tempt those who don't think of themselves as liking vegetables. Yummy. Yes, would I go back. Yes, yes, yes.
Given the oportunity, I might try the baklava, the mango dessert, the lattice apple tart, the figs.
Useful Websites
Izgara in Hatch End
https://www.izgarahatchend.uk/
https://www.izgarahatchend.uk/Izgara-Ala-Cart-Menu.pdf
Izgara in Edgware
http://www.izgararestaurant.co.uk/
Edgware Desserts (when available)
http://izgararestaurant.co.uk/desserts.pdf
About the Author
About the author of this travel blog
Angela Lansbury is British born and bred but has also lived in the USA, Spain and Spingapore and visited countries around the worl
She is a semi-retired teacher of English language and literature.
About the Teacher/Tutor/Trainer
She is a member of Toastmasters International and five clubs, Harrovians in the UK, three in Singapore (BHA and TCA and Senja-Cashew), a club coach for Nee Soon South, and a member of online only club, Singapore Online Dynamic.
To find a club go to Toastmasters International Find a club or look on Facebook.
BHA meets the first Wednesday evening each month, login 6.45 for 7 pm start Singapore time (SGT), which is noon in London UK, during British summer time, until clocks go back the last Sunday in October when the UK reverts to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
No comments:
Post a Comment