Sedir

I came to Sedir a few weeks ago because of the reviews on this site. We were horrified at how appalling the whole evening was. We were put at a table that so squashed in that I had to stand up every time the people at the next table wanted to get in or out. The wine was undrinkable and the fallafel was so dry as to be almost inedible. We found the staff to be rude and unhelpful and left as soon as we could. Even as we were almost walking out the door, the waiter told us they'd left the water off the bill and could we pay for it - we just told them to take it out of the tip, although why we left a tip, I've no idea.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 18, 2008

We have eaten at the Sedir many times during the past years.

Firstly, it is very clean, comfortable and has a welcoming and relaxing ambience.

Over the years, the menu has changed very little - why change a good thing?

There is a 2 course lunch menu for £6.45 and I doubt there is better value anywhere.

Yesterday, the 28th of March was our 38th Wedding anniversary. It was pouring down and we were so glad to get into the warmth and comfort of the Sedir - our wet coats taken away to be returned later, warm and dry.

Starters are, among others, Prawn Cocktail (my husband had that), Prawn with Avocado, Spiced lentil Soup, and a Pancake dish, which I have eaten many times. It is always delicious and includes tomato sauce, spinach and a light, bubbling cheese sauce, fresh from the oven. However, it is substantial and knowing the generous quantities of the courses, I did not have a starter.

I ordered Shish Kebab from the a la carte. The chunks of lamb (the lamb is always superb) where chargrilled to perfection, still being just pink inside. There was a lovely fresh salad and new potatoes instead of rice.

My husband also had chargrilled lamb, (flavoured differently from mine) and salad and rice from the set menu, which has a very good choice, including a vegetarian dish of aubergines.

I then ordered the pistachio baklava (delicious) and a Cointreau coffee. The coffee here is excellent. My husband had the filter coffee and I can reccommend the rich Turkish coffee.

We had a bottle of Pinot Grigio, the house wine, chilled and served in the wine cooler with plenty of ice.

One and a half hours later, we emerged, warm, dry, satisfied and replete.

You cannot beat good, fresh, honest, truly traditional food, rich in flavour and generous in quantity - garnished with care and served with a pleasant attitude.

And the bill?

£33.10

The Sedir cannot be beaten for quality and price.

I hope they never change.
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Mrs. Irene Smith
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 29, 2008

I've been to Sedir 3 times now and I will most certainly be going again. The food is absolutely superb and well cooked and presented with very good sized portions. The prices are good and nothing is over-priced and a lot cheaper than a lot of places in Islington and the food/service does not suffer for cheaper prices. The atmosphere and decor are lovely and a joy to sit in.

The service is brilliant and although the waiters/waitress hovers around to help fill your glass when they see it getting low, it is not in a way which makes you feel uncomfortable as with some restaurants. the staff are very helpful and friendly. They offer to take your coats and put them safely away so you don't have to sit with them over the back of your chair...I like this in a restaurant.

Little touches like a bowl of olives, whole peppers and crudites as you sit down and imperial mints at the end of your meal are a nice gesture.

I cannot fault the Sedir in any way. I'd recommend it to all I know..but I don't want the place so full up that I can't get a table!!! lol lol

I've been to the Oxo Tower restaurant on the South Bank...the bill for 4 of us came to around £400 and we all came away starving and went to a pub and couldn't wait to eat some crisps. Last night 3 of us went to Sedir, the bill came to £87, and that included 3 bottles of wine! We were all full and had a smile on our faces..and not because of the wine! It was a lovely night out and far better than the Oxo Tower!!!!

We will all be going back again..and soon!
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Lyn Rennick
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 07, 2008

Had a 40th birthday here with 13 people around a nice sqauare table and it was really excellent. Good value tasty food but more importantly everything went really well. No hitches, great service. There was a waitress hovering discreetly around our table so that when you wanted something she was always around. No pressure to leave (we stayed till 12pm). Great party venue if you want to hear youself talking and you want somewhere slightly formal but not pretentious.
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Richard Felber
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, October 04, 2006

We went on Saturday night and the place was packed. They have crammed so many tables in that when people pass by, they nudge the diners or the food - far too cramped!

The food (we had a selection of mezes - falafel, kisir, etc) was just average. The falafel was overdone and rock-hard, the cold ones had come straight out of the fridge and were pretty tasteless.

The biggest problem was the service. I realise that on a Saturday night, the place is busy and you have to be a little more patient, but we had to chase up our order and got nothing at all for almost an hour. We had to ask 3 times for water, the staff had trouble understanding us and at times were somewhat offhand. The only request that was dealt with promptly was for the bill!

I can't remember the last time I stiffed a place on the tip but I didn't bother here, sorry. It's not like I'll be going back...
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Helen - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 3
Monday, March 13, 2006

Sedir,

The first time I visited this restaraunt it was known has Sarcen (this was 7 years ago).When the name changed to Sedir we were sceptical and didn't think the food and atmosphere would be so good.

We were wrong the waiters are excellent and nothing is a problem,the thought of the food makes our mouthse water(especially the Iskender) and good value for money.

We have been back on many an occasions with friends and family even for a romantic meal for two.Hopefully I will be there next week.
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Mandy
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, February 08, 2006

Sedir

On my second visit to Sedir I found that the staff gave as warm a welcome as on my first visit. We were treated to pickled vegetables, olives, carrot sticks, houmous and bread while we made our choices from the menu. The meze we shared for our starter went down very well. We had falafel, tabouleh, roasted aubergines and roasted peppers. Both vegetarians and carnivores within our group were pleased with both the options and the food when it came. My main course of halibut with potatoes and salad was delicious. There are several very good Turkish/Mediterranean restaurants in this part of Islington, and with it’s great food, reasonable prices and friendly service Sedir is one of the best.
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Jane Wright
Wednesday, October 26, 2005