Kaftan – Jumeirah Beach Road

After our recent venture at Gunaydin, we have been mesmerized by Ottoman & Turkish Cuisine and we just couldn’t wait to visit the next one. So our next meal was again at  another famous Turkish restaurant called Kaftan located just opposite to Wild Wadi. Once again we have been impressed with the unique offering and taste that stuck to it’s tradition which can only be experienced at an authentic Turkish restaurant which knows how it’s done.

Once you are inside the restaurant you feel at home. An elegant decor designed for a quite fine dining experience. Even though the restaurant is located at a prime location opposite to Burj Al Arab, you really don’t get to see any of it, if you are seated inside the restaurant. It was impressive to see the restaurant  on a good occupancy on a weekday. Majority being Arabs.

We started off with their complimentary freshly baked breads and dippers. The breads are thick, soft and can easily fill you up while you enjoy them with dippers. The Mocktails have been really good specially the Virgin Peach Daiquiri and Virgin Mojito. Unfortunately the Virgin Cosmopolitan was more bitter than sweet.

They have a long list of cold mezzeh. Fortunately they had a cold mezzeh platter where we could try a little of many. The cold mezzeh selection is mix of tangy, sweet, sour and spicy but portion size is very little. The stuffed grape leaves was truly authentic and you will appreciate if you are those who generally enjoy vine leaves. The HAC PACASI is something you cannot ignore. Tender meats that just seduce you lying on top of those delicious Turkish almond rice.

The meats were well presented in a wooden platter. The Mixed grill meat was sized for one person which had a combination of chicken, lamb and beef. The meats were nicely done and tender enough to enjoy but we felt the Lamb chops could have been better and was less tender. I suggest you pick a better side than the mash potato that comes as default with Lamb chops.

The real surprise attraction from their mains was their traditional dish which was Hunkar Begendi. Flavorful lamb pieces that goes well with their thick milk blended eggplant puree. It was one of a kind and they really excel when it comes to the traditional Turkish dishes. Wish it was priced less, I would love to have this everyday.

At Kaftan you must try their desserts and you probably won’t find some of them anywhere else in Dubai. PASA KADAYIF is one of their new additions to their dessert menu. It’s truly unique and we love every bit of it. I love pistachios and all my cravings for a pistachio has been satisfied beyond expectations. PASA KADAYIF is simply goat milk ice cream sandwiched between two layers of crushed crispy pistachio filled dough. The ice cream was fantastic and that crispy pistachio studded dough was again on a different level. Together they were an amazing combination.

Turkish Helva was another lovely creation where the Turkish ice cream was covered in a dome of semolina.  And those pine nuts add that extra jazz to the Helva. The dessert is heavy but it was a wonderful treat. Perfect in sweetness and anyone can enjoy.

The Simit Katmer to be honest was actually a turn off. The circular dough is heavy filled with crushed pistachio along with a warm cream. To be honest, the pistachio here dominated to an extent that the sweetness of the dessert was lost. I feel it could be better tasting if the cream was served cold as well.

At the end of our meal, we were then exposed to the miracle single flowering tea. Not something that you see often. You drop that flower ball into the hot water and you see it grow into life inside 5 minutes. The tea also had a wonderful aroma and we couldn’t ask for a better ending.

Click here to visit Kaftans official FB page. Click pictures below to see them in full screen view: