Having familarised myself with Porter Novelli’s new surroundings in Three Lamps, Ponsonby, I’ve started to get into fresh lunchtime routines. One of which involves $10, The Turkish Cafe and a Lamb Kebab.
For many years I’ve considered Middle Eastern foods to be the wind beneath my wings. The late night kebab after a big night in town, the traditional mezze platter while mingling at PR’y events, or the budget-friendly borak as a quick lunch option. I’ve grown fond of Middle Eastern foods’ ability to provide fast and effective nourishment.
I find myself turning to this old friend once again, and have become a regular at The Turkish Cafe in Ponsonby. They do a damn good kebab!
I’m a sucker for the Traditional Lamb Kebab, which is great value for only $10. High quality lamb – cooked horizontally, not vertically – fresh salad and yum as garlic yoghurt makes this kebab really hum!
It’s ready reasonably quickly and hand deliver by the friendly chef.
I’m yet to try their dine-in options, but if the Traditional Lamb Kebabs are anything to go by, I expect to be maxing out my yum-o-meter.
The restaurant is fairly quiet, which means lunch meetings could be conducted fairly easily. Probably best to limit these to informal lunch meetings. The humble kebab is not yet considered serious business meeting food in New Zealand, and is function over style.
The Turkish Cafe has very quickly become my default lunch option. It’s fast, effective nourishment at a decent price and can be enjoyed in solitude, or in the company of friends.
Overall rating: 7/10
- Location: 7
- Value: 8
- Service: 8
- Quality: 8
- Environment: 6
- X-Factor: 5
The Turkish Café, 294 Ponsonby Road, Ponsonby
