| Tasty Turkish Delight on Sunny South Beach |
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| August 02, 2009 |
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Finding good Turkish food nearby is an unexpected delight, as was our lunch today at Hakan Grill on South Beach. Here, savory cuisine is combined with warm service that proprietor Hakan Aksu learned during an earlier 23-year career at top hotel brands.
The house specialty is lamb, and we ordered doner kebab, gyro sandwiches and lamb shank, all delicious. Meat and poultry served at Hakan is premium quality and free of hormones and additives, because as the owner told me, he wouldn’t serve a guest anything he doesn’t want his own family to eat.
Mezes, or Turkish appetizers, include stuffed grape leaves and the yogurt-and-cucumber dish called cacik. This was so good that I had to stop my son from licking his fork. The eggplant salad was perfectly tangy, the best I’ve had in the U.S. Pita bread is served warm and replenished quickly. My personal favorite is the tomato and feta appetizer made with sheep or goat’s milk cheeses, which is not only more authentic but naturally contains no lactose.
Hakan’s late father was a famed restaurateur in Istanbul and Anakara, and his son uses a family recipe for mouthwatering baklava, made in the traditional manner using sugar (not honey).
In the kitchen, olive or sesame seed oils are the norm. Vegetarians will find menu items marked specifically for them. Those on restricted diets will appreciate the absence of preservatives or additives.
Today we lingered for conversation but left without enjoying the aromatic Turkish coffee. We must return soon.
Hakan Turkish Grill
www.HakanTurkishGrill.com
1040 Alton Road
Miami Beach
305-534-9557 |
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| The wood bar serves as a popular spot in the evenings |
| Credit: Marcia Aksu |
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