TURKISH DELIGHT

Tec visits Turkiye in Merchant City

The restaurant is in a nice setting and has a warm welcoming feel

97/99 Candleriggs, Merchant City, G1 1NP. Tel: 0141 553 1577

FOOD **** ATMOSPHERE **** SERVICE ****

I WAS getting into the festive mood singing ‘It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas’ when the Moll told me “Shut up, it’s still only November”, cheery soul that she is.

But that advert was on the telly and if naked commercialism dressed as warm, family-friendly sentimentality doesn’t get you in the mood, even with six weeks to go, then nothing will, I didn’t dare say to her.

“Why not do something useful and take us out to eat,” she said.

“How about Turkey?” I suggested. That only made matters worse.

“No, no. Turkiye. It’s a Turkish restaurant in Merchant City,”

I added hastily, saving my skin.

It is a very smartly-dressed restaurant in what used to be City Merchant, in Candleriggs.

The welcome was warm and we were shown to a seat by the window able to observe the comings and goings of the Old Fruitmarket and City Halls opposite.

When the food arrived it was served with a smile.

We had the pan-grilled halloumi to begin and we were off to a very good start indeed.

The Moll had the whole seabass served with salad and sautéed potato.

A deliciously cooked fish flaking on the fork which was she said excellent and with a lovely light salad.

A simple looking dish but done properly and pleasingly.

I opted for the Lamb wrap beyti. Rather a lot of lamb. A long wrap cut into several slices. It was soft and good flavour. There was too much for me to handle and it was presented as though it was a buffet. But no faulting the taste. Make sure you’re hungry if you order it.

No room for dessert the mains portions were more than enough.

The menu was pretty extensive with much lamb and chicken, but also a variety of fish and a decent vegetarian choice.

It was reasonably priced and a good value pre-theatre menu is available if you arrive a little earlier in the evening.

The restaurant is in a nice setting and has a warm welcoming feel, particularly important on a chilly winter’s night.

We were both satisfied with Turkiye. So much so I decided not to spoil it by singing on the way home.