Sharing is caring at Efendy Meze Bar, where communal plates of Turkish tapas are carefully crafted by Chef Somer Sivrioglu, and caringly consumed by eager epicureans. Upstairs from the award-wining Efendy Restaurant, Sivrioglu's meze bar responds to the growing market of groups of gourmet grazers and dining duos looking for high-class tapas at low-impact prices.
Size is not a concern when the bites are this rich in flavour, such as the sublimely tender pastirma, a spice-cured dried beef backstrap sitting subtly on a bed of hummus. The delicately marinated tavuk sis chicken skewers display Sivrioglu's passion for using authentic ingredients, complemented by a pleasantly surprising bed of semolina durum pilaf. Like the food, the mood is subdued and luxuriant, with half-lanterns spreading light from the yellow walls, themselves filled with Anatolian colours and paraphernalia. The spacious yet homely area is divided into several rooms each offering their own take on a casual dining atmosphere and providing a suitable grazing destination for intimate pairings, small clusters of conversation as well as for large groups gathering for a celebratory feast.
The Istanbul inspiration continues through seafood and salad selections with such plates as Kadayifli Karides; the sweet and tender meat of the king prawn cocooned by crispy spirals of the rice noodle-like Kadayif. This is complemented by the red pepper-rich muhammara dip. A side of Efendy Salata refreshes the taste buds with mixed textures of soft feta and dried figs dispersed amongst the crunch of rocket and walnuts.
The spirit of Turkey also flows through the drinks menu with Sydney's largest selection of the traditional Turkish spirit raki. Turkish beers and boutique wines are also on hand to complement Sivrioglu's ever-changing meze menu.
Adam Bub and Kathryn Harley
Open
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Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
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Late
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Tue-Sun 6pm-11pm
Tapas and Turkish
Signature dish: Tavuk Sis - marinated chicken skewer and semolina durum pilaf
Entree: $4-$10
Mains: $12-$16
Dessert: $10
Entree prices are for tapas to share for two to three people. Mains can also be shared
Payment accepted: MasterCard, Visa, American Express and EFTPOS
Licensed with bar. Wine is available by the glass.
This venue accepts bookings. Group bookings are supported.
All reviews and ratings are the expressed opinions of our users, and in no way reflects the opinions of yourRestaurants, its staff and its affiliates.
Posted by:
Gozzy
|
17 December 2009, 1.35pm
If only it lived up to it's favourite rating
I arranged a chrissy dinner for a few friends and headed to one of the restaurants rated well in Balmain. It was a balmy Sydney night, and this place has no air con - so was a little steamy - not quite what we had in mind. Food here is fabulous - highly recommended. The service however was a little slow, friendly, but slow. Took a while to get drinks and a fairly big break between meze plates and main. Worth checking out but we ready to wait a little.
Food:
Visit: Wed 16 December 2009
Mealtime: dinner
Service:
Atmosphere:
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