Kazan

Kazan
Wilton Road
£70

This felt like a proper ‘occasion’ restaurant and reminded us a bit of a cool place in Istanbul – it gets busy here too. In Kazan we both admired the loos – a talking point because of the sandalwood incense and the rose petals and if we ever re-do our kitchen floor I definitely want the ceramic tiles they have in the cubicles. Anyway meanwhile back at the restaurant – it’s good! I can’t believe we’ve lived here this long and not been before. I liked the lentil soup. Meaty had some and tried to get the recipe but it was yummy whatever they put in there. For my main I very much enjoyed the lentil stew and I’m ashamed to say I did some chip nicking too which I’m not proud of because I know lots of people find that rude. Sorry. I washed it down with a non alcoholic cocktail and a Turkish apple tea – both of which were excellent. There are lots of nice little touches such as delicious flatbread and chilli olives. We got Turkish delight with the bill which gave me enjoyable sugar whiplash and fuelled my walk home.
HP

You should always be able to tell a restaurant by its bathroom. This was lovely. It smelt of sandalwood. Sane and calm. The brass sinks sounded like they were hollow and the dripping sounded like an ancient bath, except for the M&S soap. OK, now to the food. I had an artichoke heart with fava beans to start and the Ottoman Grill to finish. Ooh. The beans were very good with a bit of dill, yogurt and lime. I actually think they should sell it as beans with artichoke heart as opposed to the other way around. Now, the Ottoman grill. How many types of meat can you have on one plate? Given that Kazan’s plate is rectangular, five should do. I loved the lamb (which most of you know from the Mangal) and here they also did it on charcoal. The beef was OK (not stellar – but I am a snob) the pork was good. Now, take the marinated pork, that was worth having as a dessert. That. Um, I did not really have a dessert I had a Lions Milk (bit’o Ouzo) and water (how many did I offend there). If you like aniseed than take it. Not my thing. The food and service however will bring me back. MP