Iznik

Have lived just off highbury hill for several years now and, having been a regular at Yildiz on Blackstock Road and Antepliller on Green Lanes, we decided that our anniversry would be a great excuse to finally visit Iznik...but what a mistake!. I had booked for 9pm on Friday, arriving promptly only to be simply pointed (not accompanied!) to a table, right beside a party of 15 kids at an 11th birthday party. They were incredibly well-behaved, but it wasn't ideal as the noise level was pretty high. The manager then very publicly berated one of his staff right in front of us, which appears to have left all the staff in a fouler, which meant lots of glowering, monosyllabic grunting (even when I asked for some recommendations on starters), banging down plates and drinks, and generally pretty miserable service. We were told we could get a choice of 6 starters for 6 pounds, which seemed reasonable. Alas, the overly greasy and mediocre nibbles were presented without finesse or regard for appearance, no dressings,not even any garnish, and as we had asked for some bread, we were also given a basket with a few under-cooked cheap pittas, of the variety normally found on the bottom-shelf in costcutters. The main courses sounded delicious, but ended up being again, exceptionally mediocre, slopped on the plates and slopped down in front of us. When my partner enquired if we might have the water we had ordered with our Efes, before the food order was even taken, she was glared at by two members of staff and told in no uncertain terms 'It's COMING!'. We chose not to leave a tip as we felt the service had been really lacking, and as we got up to leave, I had intended having a word with the manager, but he had absented himself, and none of the staff seemed interested in finding him for me. Nobody even said goodbye, or asked if we'd enjoyed our meal, so I'm afraid this is my only way of offering our feedback. The place is always pretty full, but I have to attribute it to it being something akin to the Nando's of Turkish food.Save your money and walk the five mins down the road to Yildiz. Iznik is NOTmy idea of a good night out
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Gavin Martin
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 3
Monday, January 30, 2006

Just been to Iznik and had delicious food, excellent wine and truly thoughtful and considerate service. Really recomment liver starter which perfectly cooked.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, January 26, 2006