Iskele

The first time I went there the grilled fish was dry as if it had been standing too long. I was not impressed but gave it another go and found the falafel tastless. I will definitely give it a miss in future.
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GT
4 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, January 26, 2011

After booking a table two weeks beforehand we arrived at Iskele on 16th December to find that it was it virtually impossible to get to our seat because they had squashed in so many tables - in fact, one of my friends left because she would have been far too uncomfortable. They must have contravened every health & safety rule in the book! Admittedly they did their best to serve - the waiters could not get to our table and it had to be passed overheads! It spoilt our lunch and I know, from how quickly other tables were emptying, that it spoilt a lot of others. I have to say, it was pure greed on the restaurants part! BTW, we were'nt offered any compensation for one of us having to leave - not even a freebee drink!
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4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Monday, January 10, 2011

Good menu, good service, excellent decor at very reasonable prices. Visit very often and will continue doing so and recommending to others!! A+++ highly recommended.
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Michelle Praag - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, November 22, 2010

This restaurant has the potential to be great, unfortunately it isnt.... the staff are fine appearing to be an army of them, were a little eager to take orders and clear etc..We hadnt even got through half of our Meze when it was taken away as our mains were ready..

The meze wasnt good, the humus was bitter, unpleasantly so..the salady things limp and most were tasteless(a problem throughout the meal) The warm meat products were unusual but not homemade, bread was lovely.

My main was Kleftiki a large portion of food but totally void of taste, the meat fell off the bone but the soupy sauce was so watery and bland... this dish is famous for its long cooking which intensifies the flavours which should expolde on eating. , it had bits of veg floating aimlessly in it, the promised rosemary potatoes were 3 tiny halfs of tough spuds- inedible..

My friend had lamb skewers which were cooked well and pink but the meat used was very tough the accompanying bits of rice and salad were not good.

As I said this was a pity any reasonable cook could make much better food than this, the bill was over £50.00 inc. 2 cocktails a coffee and a cola.

We arrived at 8 but by 9.30 we felt we were not wanted any more, we were repeatedly asked if we wanted coffee, dessert etc, the eagerness to clear was exentuated by staff clearing empty tables and kitchen staff putting on coats etc and going home..

The interiors are lovely its clear effort has been made in some areas but the management weaknesses are with the food and the staff wanting clearly to go home early on Friday evening, they need to review these very important things to make this work...wont rush back..
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Bad bear
4 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Saturday, August 21, 2010

I live locally to the Iskele Restaurant on Whitecross Street and when it opened up at first I tried it and it was at best average! Several months later the owner has gotten wise to the Manager he'd placed in charge and is now running the restaurant himself and it's all changed!

The food (of which there is a mountain!) is fantastic, the service is delivered with a smile, nothing is too much and the price for the HUGE 2 course lunch is a snip at just under £8.00, this on a market street where you'll pay £5 on average for a burger in a bun!

This is a lovely lunchtime treat and a relaxed evening meal. I've taken so many people to this restaurant now to share the secret they've started to offer me my usual table!!!
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, June 03, 2010

Last evening we were there with my collegues .We've been there before! But probably-never again!

Everything was great but there was one thing that disturbed us-the smell coming straight from the table next to ours.We've just had a look and guess what?? There was a DOG under the table!! We couldn't believe it! Maybe people have to learn that when they go to a restaurant they should leave their dogs outside.

But first of all the owner should learn that till there are people who come in their restaurant to spend money they can't let this happen!

The only thing I know is that I will never go there to spend even £1.

Everybody was laughing! So was I...
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Sarki Newar
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 9
Saturday, May 01, 2010

I have been to the restaurant many times, and usually with the right waiter have had a good evening out.

I went recently with my elderly and frail Indian mother and Indian nephew. Different waitress, treated us like trash. What a pity. The one time I had wanted to make it a special evening out.
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Lata
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Monday, March 22, 2010

I went into this restaurant with my partner and 4 friends. We each had a starter, main and dessert as well as drinks and every bit was delicious. The price was reasonable the atmosphere was extraordinary and considering all 6 of us had something different for each course there was nothing but praise for the food. Every night i walk past and there is always a steady stream of customers. Would recommend this as the best med place in Islington.
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Victoria Longman
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

We went there last night, 28 of us, and I have to say it was one of the nicest eateries I've been in in ages. Superb mezze plates to start, and the mains were equally lovely, barbecued fish skewers, iskender kebabs, lamb shanks, mixed grills and a never ending selection of amazingly lovely salads. The atmosphere was great, lively and jolly while being comfy and relaxed. The owner was a complete sweetheart, the waitresses were completely professional, dealing with 28 mains in just a few minutes, and the drinks came quick and easy. The damage? An amazingly good £25 a head, for starters, mains and drinks, and a lovely lovely evening - I'd give it 11/10 if I could. I will most certainly be back there again.
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nik devlin
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 11, 2010

We ate there on a Saturday night and we didn't like the way they were closing everything up before we had finished. So a member of my party went to have a gentle word with the owner, starting off with a compliment. But he said we obviously can't read because opening hours were on the menu and it escalated, with him shouting and our friend and throwing him out. Never go anywhere near this place.
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2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, February 09, 2010