Just a stones throw away from the (relative) bustle of Haymarket is what seems to be a new installation of actual Turkey (the country, not the munter of a bird). That being an exceptionally authentic three storey cafe/tower serving delicious home cooked Turkish cuisine. You may begin to question your safety as you climb the first hostel-like stairway, but once you're tackled with the distinct aroma of their open BBQ grill coupled with an almost agressive amount of spice and garlic, you will know you've made a solid choice. These sorts of establishments can be judged on your inabilty to pronounce the names of dishes, the more drunk you sound...the better the selection; and at Istanbul they don't disappoint! Here they over a wide range of healthy but flavoursome grilled meat dishes, all of the expected classic hot and cold mezze dishes as well as those taste infusion dishes involving lamb and lentils and aubergine that you would expect from a proper Turkish diner. They also have some interesting breakfast dishes and some frankly weird desserts for the bold. As is also typical with such places the food is very very well priced, the decor is plain ugly and the staff are a little moody - possibly incapable of smiling at all first, though a few jokes in they'll warm to most people. But thats part of the package, so rough it up and get some doner meat done properly down you. 72%
Truly authentic Greek restaurants are extremely elusive in the UK, and that's particularly true of Newcastle. But for some mad reason there are two pretty much adjacent to one another in Newcastle's Bigg market. One of which is about as Greek as it gets, the aptly named Simply Greek Tavern and thankfully it isn't in financial disarray. The staff are attentive and offer a Mediterranean-warm welcome, fitting in their dated but exceptionally Greek blue and white restaurant. If you start knocking back the ouzos you might even end up thinking you are in Greece....which would be hugely disappointing if you were to walk out and you're outside Bambu and a 17 year chav has just been sick on your shoe whilst his girlfriend threatens to fight you. Despite its location the food at Simply Greek is fantastic, the dishes are rich and robust without being overly unhealthy, as Greek food should be. You can expect all the classics such as moussaka, souvlaki and kleftiko as well as fresh hummus by the pint! They even offer a very interesting special Sunday mezze platter for two that definitely sh*ts all over the standard bland Sunday roast. Better still, all of this great food is perlexingly affordable given the quality and quantity of their dishes. Real Greek food and Greek prices, time to smash some plates and get some Greek bait down you. 83%
If you're looking for very fresh and vibrant Chinese cuisine that won't pillage your wallet, then Little Asia is where you need to be. As you step into this little wonder you will instantly know that the food will be the real deal. You will be confronted by a divine aroma, typical of traditionally prepared Chinese food. The decor is extremely rustic, bordering on dilapidated, but here it's all about the food. It may take you up to 3 hours to decide what to eat, as the menu is the size of an Argos catalogue, but staff are happy to recommend their favourites. Although some dishes may not be to your taste or may exhibit cuts of meat that aren't commonly found in a Western diet. However, largely the food is fantastic. Rich in flavour and arriving in monstrous portions with generous quantities of meat, these dishes really are great! With mains costing as little as £7 and being large enough to feed half of Newcastle, Little Asia fits even the tightest of diners' budgets. A must for anyone who is sick of the generic and bland Chinese buffet restaurants of Newcastle. 82%
