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Greek & Turkish

Bristol

BOSPHORUS
45-47 Baldwin St, BS1 1RA
Tel: 0117 922 1333
Clay friezes based on ancient themes, art deco wall lamps, authentically distressed plasterwork: this place oozes traditional Turkish charm. Venue’s own young Turk had only praise to pass on following his visit: ‘Good value for money – we were well pleased,’ he said, of the atmosphere and the menu, which includes over 20 choices of hot and cold ‘mezeler’ dishes (the majority of which are vegetarian) alongside a range of grills, casseroles and seafood main courses. Menu S: meze including manca (baby spinach with garlic and fresh mint, in yogurt and olive oil); kisir (crushed walnuts, bulgur, red bell peppers, carrots with tomato juice and herbs); patlican salata (smoky aubergine purée with red bell peppers, fresh dill, garlic and lemon juice). M: pan-fried monkfish with honey, butter and herbs, served with rice; adana (chargrilled minced lamb with herbs and spices), served with rice Price ALC: from approx £5/from approx £10/from approx £5 Wine list HW: approx £12 Open Daily 12noon-3pm & 5.30pm-12midnight. Disabled access and disabled toilet. Parties welcome – call in adv. IDC: 25% off bill.

ENTELIA
50 Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2NH
Tel: 0117 946 6793
Formerly a resident of Clifton Village, Entelia made the transition to the busy Whiteladies Road last year, opening a sparkling new branch of the same charming, traditional but contemporary Greek taverna, specialising in the authentic flavours of the Mediterranean. A smart bar to the front of the deep, single dining room, simple wooden tables and Greek-themed photos and clay friezes set the scene, but it’s the menu that lets you know where you are. A familiar range of vintage Entelia classics feature strongly, from what seems like an endless chain of dishes on the mezze selection to a regularly changing specials board (which always includes plenty of fresh fish options), resulting in a combination of traditional dishes, using time-honoured recipes and newer Greek cuisine. Menu S: meze sharing platters; stifado (beef and onion casserole cooked in red wine and tomato, with nutmeg and cinnamon). M: soutzoukakia (spicy lamb meatballs with garlic and cumin) with a tomato salsa, Greek salad and sautéed potatoes; kotopoulo salada (honey and mustard glazed chicken and smoked ham salad with mixed leaves). P: Entelia delight (biscuit base cake with cream centre laced with espresso, Irish cream and amaretto with a chocolate dusting); baclava Price ALC: mezze dishes from £2.95/from £7.50/from £3.95. SL and early evening offer: two courses £9.95. Set mezze menus from £16.95pp (min two people sharing) Wine list Extensive, inc wide selection of Greek mainland and island wines. HW: £12.95 btl, £2.75 gls Open Mon-Sun 12noon-2.30pm, Mon-Thur 6-11pm, Fri-Sat 6-11.30pm, Sun 6-10.30pm. Disabled access possible –call in adv. Major credit cards. Parties welcome – call in adv.

EZO
6 The Promenade, Gloucester Rd, BS7 8AL
Tel: 0117 944 2005
Small, usually busy and unremittingly cheerful Turkish bistro, complete with colourful lanterns and a warm ethnic feel. The extensive menu has some nice vegetarian options alongside more obvious traditional dishes, many of which make great use of the charcoal grill. With coffee and light bites available all day, and a small alfresco area out front, it’s a great place to while away the hours. Menu S: mixed meze; M: moussaka; P: baklava Price ALC: From around £5/from around £10/from around £4. Lunch dishes around a fiver Wine list HW £11.90 btl, £2.80 gls Open Daily 12noon-11pm. Disabled access – call in adv. Parties welcome – call in adv.

YIAMASS MEZE BAR & RESTAURANT
67 Park St, BS1 5PB
Tel: 0117 929 9530, web: www.yiamass.com
The word ‘Yiamass’ means ‘Cheers!’ in Greek, and no matter how grey the skies over Bristol, you’ll always be treated to a warm Mediterranean welcome, lively atmosphere and delicious food here. The menu is heavily influenced by traditional local Corfu cuisine, a fusion of Greek and Italian fare that results in some unique and hearty flavours. Expertly shaken cocktails, and live jazz in the bar area (call for details). Menu S: tiger prawns cooked in ouzo & tomato sauce, with very fresh feta cheese. M: sofrito (strips of veal in red wine, parsley & garlic, cooked the Corfu way). P: tiramisu; baklava; Greek yogurt with honey & nuts; orange sorbet Price ALC: £2.95-£4.95/£6.95-£11.95/varies Wine list HW: approx £9-10 btl. Greek beer, cocktails Open Daily 6pm-3am (1.30am Sun).

Bath

MARMARIS
4-5 Grand Parade, BA2 4AN
Tel: 01225 461946
There’s nothing hip or cutting-edge about this charmingly old-school restaurant, but the 1970s murals on the walls, the Demis Roussos soundtrack and the low-key, deferential competence of the bow-tied waiters make this Turkish experience all the more authentic. ‘Steadfastly reliable,’ said Venue’s resident taverna trawler, who likens Marmaris to ‘an old friend’. The food is of the traditional Turkish delight variety, from mezze starters to kebabs, moussaka and specialities like slow-cooked oven-roasted lamb. Complimentary fruit salad accompanies the hot, thick Turkish coffee, and regulars get a freebie snifter of the house’s syrupy fruit liqueur before they depart. The house wine comes in a carafe, and the bill never seems to go much above £30 for two, even if you’ve been sitting there stuffing your face for hours. Little wonder, then, that on Saturday nights the queue stretches almost to the weir and back. The takeaway section is massive too. Menu S: Turkish mezze. M: kebabs; moussaka; Turkish specials. P: gateaux, Turkish pastries & Brit-trad delights from dessert trolley Price ALC: from approx £3.80/from approx £7/from approx £3.50 SL 2 £6.95 Wine list HW: from approx £11 ltr Open Mon-Sat 12noon-11pm, takeaway until 1am. Children welcome. Good disabled access, but call ahead for advice. Cheques & major credit cards (not Amex, Diner’s). Parties can be accommodated, but call ahead for advice.

NEW
OPA
14 North Parade, BA2 4AJ
Tel: 01225 317900
Glamorous Greek café-bar and restaurant offering a vast range of authentic, sociable mezze (and heartier fare if you’re up to it) to accompany the vast bar selection and an all-round good cheer vibe - little wonder, then, that it gets very buzzy at the weekend when Bath’s young glam set hits the town. A fabulous alfresco area directly overlooks the river, there’s live music every Sunday evening, and food – like the regulars – is loud, proud and sexy. Menu S: mezze inclues spanakopitakia (spinach pie); dolmandes (stuffed vine leaves); midia (mussels in white wine & garlic sauce); Greek spare ribs. M: moussaka; kleftiko (slow-roasted lamb with baby potatoes & herbs); stifado (rabbit casseroled in red wine & shallots); papoutsaki (aubergines stuffed with vegetables & topped with bechamel sauce). P: baklava; gallaktobouriko (vanilla milk pie). Price Individual mezze from £3.95/a la carte mains from £8.95/from £3.95 Wine list Extensive. HW from approx. £12 btl. Champagnes; lagers & beers; spirits; cocktails Open Sun-Wed 12noon-midnight (food served until 10pm); Thur-Sat 12noon-2am (food served until 10.30pm). Children welcome. Disabled access can be arranged; call in adv. Major credit cards. Parties/functions/events welcome – please call in adv. PC: Cardholders & up to 3 guests receive 25% off food bill & 15% off bar tab (minimum spend £20).

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