Efe's Meze
Trafalgar Road
I have been meaning to try this place for ages and never got round to it, so was delighted when some friends suggested we went there for a group meal. Situated almost next door to Mr Chung, Efe's Meze has a similar clientele - a loyal local audience who have their own particular favourite dishes. Being on Trafalgar Road means virtually no tourists, of course.
It goes back a lot further than I had expected it to and has a pleasingly dark atmosphere, lit with little coloured glass lanterns that remind me of trips to Turkey, and decorated with straggly strands of Devils Ivy. To be honest it's ever so slightly scruffy - but I rather like scruffy sometimes and had no real problem with it. Of course this means there's absolutely nothing posh about it - this is not 'art food' - just your usual Turkish-type dishes that really do bring back holiday memories (well, for me, at least.)
As you walk in there is a guy grilling all sorts of things from fish to lamb over hot coals, which, if nothing else adds to the atmosphere -and heat. It has the added bonus (for them) of making you feel instantly hungry.
If anything I thought there might be one or two too many dishes on the menu - I always worry when there are so many options, that the restaurants will turn out to be jacks of all trades; masters of none, but a closer inspection did have a lot of basics with slight variations - and that's fine. Naturally, the best way to enjoy meze dishes like that is to order a selection and share, and that's exactly what we did for the first course. The squeaky cheese (sorry, haloumi) was grilled to perfection and the dolmi were good and tight, though I packed away more of the stuffed aubergines than anything else (being a particular fan of eggplant.) The taramasalata was a little violent in colour for my liking - a bright pink that reminded me of Gregg's Bakery Swiss buns, but it tasted fine. There was a livery-offally dish too, but it's not my cup of tea so I didn't try it. I'm told it was lovely.
The mains were also good. No surprises in the dishes - just bog-standard Turkish food - but no big deal with that - it was perfectly acceptable food - though admittedly 'local' restaurant fare rather than destination stuff...
The wine isn't great. It's not as totally undrinkable as some I tasted in Tas recently, but considering that there are some decent Turkish wines around, they could have made a bit more effort.
In an interesting little quirk, I am told that when you turn on the driers in the Gents, the lights dim...
I have been meaning to try this place for ages and never got round to it, so was delighted when some friends suggested we went there for a group meal. Situated almost next door to Mr Chung, Efe's Meze has a similar clientele - a loyal local audience who have their own particular favourite dishes. Being on Trafalgar Road means virtually no tourists, of course.
It goes back a lot further than I had expected it to and has a pleasingly dark atmosphere, lit with little coloured glass lanterns that remind me of trips to Turkey, and decorated with straggly strands of Devils Ivy. To be honest it's ever so slightly scruffy - but I rather like scruffy sometimes and had no real problem with it. Of course this means there's absolutely nothing posh about it - this is not 'art food' - just your usual Turkish-type dishes that really do bring back holiday memories (well, for me, at least.)
As you walk in there is a guy grilling all sorts of things from fish to lamb over hot coals, which, if nothing else adds to the atmosphere -and heat. It has the added bonus (for them) of making you feel instantly hungry.
If anything I thought there might be one or two too many dishes on the menu - I always worry when there are so many options, that the restaurants will turn out to be jacks of all trades; masters of none, but a closer inspection did have a lot of basics with slight variations - and that's fine. Naturally, the best way to enjoy meze dishes like that is to order a selection and share, and that's exactly what we did for the first course. The squeaky cheese (sorry, haloumi) was grilled to perfection and the dolmi were good and tight, though I packed away more of the stuffed aubergines than anything else (being a particular fan of eggplant.) The taramasalata was a little violent in colour for my liking - a bright pink that reminded me of Gregg's Bakery Swiss buns, but it tasted fine. There was a livery-offally dish too, but it's not my cup of tea so I didn't try it. I'm told it was lovely.
The mains were also good. No surprises in the dishes - just bog-standard Turkish food - but no big deal with that - it was perfectly acceptable food - though admittedly 'local' restaurant fare rather than destination stuff...
The wine isn't great. It's not as totally undrinkable as some I tasted in Tas recently, but considering that there are some decent Turkish wines around, they could have made a bit more effort.
In an interesting little quirk, I am told that when you turn on the driers in the Gents, the lights dim...
Labels: Eating Out
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
10:48
7 Comments:
I reallly like Efe's Meze - it's so cheap and friendly.
P.S Talking of tourist restaurants - did Pizza Luna close down?
Ah the power of the Phantom!
Shelley G.
I like to think it was my searing indictment, but I suspect Pizza Luna was already going down the toilet by the time I reviewed it. The food truly was atrocious - presumably it knew it only had weeks to live and had long stopped giving a damn.
Thanks for the review - I've often thought this place looks worth the slightly longer trip from Deptford, and am glad to hear it might be a goer.
Fantastic, good to hear another local restaurant passes the Greenwich Phantom test. It may not be an A+, but I'll take that over tourist meals any day.
We are trying to move to East Greewich, and we've been using your blog as a suggested itinery to explore the area. There are quite a few hidden gems in Greenwich aren't there! We've been quite impressed with both the Fishmonger and Theatre of Wine. The coffee at La Salmaria was a little dissapointing (good espresso's but the milk let down the cappucino's). Maybe we got them on an off day? The Parma Ham was cut perfectly thinly though. (Essential criteria for an Italian deli).
Anyway, fantastic stuff I look forward to more updates.
There's coffee at la Salumeria? I heard it was coming but haven't been. I'll check it out. Thanks for the tip.
Do come to lovely Greenwich. It's fab - and will always have room for discerning new residents...
We've been there twice. I think the starters are pricey and not really value for money.
I had a lovely chicken shish last week. Lovely marinade (could do with a wee bit spices), and it was moist. Really hated dried out poultry.
I would go back but I wouldn't waste my time on the starters though. Go straight for the shish/grilled stuff.
Friendly place. Liked the starters but found the main rather oily and not particularly appetising. Deserted when I went this evening.
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