Lokanta Feb 4 2016

atLokanata in Qurum

Turkishflavours

February 4, 201636

Dining Out

LOKANTA is Muscat’s few joints which offer authentic Turkish cuisine since 2014. A fine dining restaurant, its setting recreates the vibrant colours of Turkish bazaar and the hustle and bustle of the streets of Istanbul.Abdullah al Hashmi, Lokanta’s owner and

businessman, undertook countless trips walking the streets of Istanbul, Antalya, Izmir and Aydin picking up designs, accessories and chefs for the restaurant. He travelled palaces, castles, bazaars, souqs, and museums taking over a year to put up the restaurant in the right perspective with a Turkish look.Lokanta means ‘restaurant’ in Turkish and has

an impeccably and imaginatively executed interior designing from Studio7Even which succeeded in ensuring Turkish atmosphere in the restaurant “I looked into each and every single

aspect right from the cutlery sets to the hanging lanterns, mosaic glass lamps, which were shipped from Turkey,” says Al Hashmi with pride.The much sought after is the one-metre length

signature Metrelik Kebab, which customers pose gladly for a selfie at the restaurant. Considered as Lokanta’s special dish and is made of Adana Kebab, served with assorted Sarma kebab, pilic and grilled vegetables and serves six people.Abdul Rehman Akra, Lokanta’s General Manager,

says more local foods like salad, fattoush and taboola will be added. Kasim Bayram, the head chef, was specially recruited from Turkey and has a hand in each of the items served from kebabs, starters to fresh bakery items.The menu offers cold and hot starters, baked

items, kebabs and other grills, seafood dishes, and casseroles. For starters try something like Sicak Hummus which is hummus cooked in the oven with cheese. For the main course Sarma Tavuk Kebab, a plate of chicken kebab seasoned with sumac, Pomegranate and mint wrapped in bread, is a delight. Also suggested is Izgara Balik with tender Hamoor fish. For desserts, try Cevizli Kadayif, a Kunafa pastry, filled with walnuts, covered in syrup and topped with milk.

LOCATION: Opposite Qurum Natural Park, Qurum Garden complex.

HIGHLIGHTCold starters, soups, kebabs and grills, sea foods, casseroles, vegetable dishes and desserts. The restaurant has a seating capacity of 135 seats with 90 in the ground floor.

MUST TRY

Metrelik Kebab. It is made from Adana kebab

and served with assorted sarma kebab, pilic

and grilled vegetables. Coban Salata (starters),

Izgara Kalamar, Ahtapot Tandir among hot

appetisers, Balik Kavurma (sea food), Tavuk

Tava, Moussaka (casseroles) and Kunefe

among desserts.

February 4, 2016

Dining Out

Liju Cherian

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