The Kasap, which means The Butcher in Turkish, Arabic, Persian and Dari, is a newly opened Turkish steakhouse in Ibn Battuta Mall. Located where Anatolia (another Turkish eatery) used to be, The Kasap is handsomely decorated…a little like what upmarket delicatessens used to look like in the early part of the century. It’s an airy environment, one which you will feel instantly comfortable in.
There’s an open kitchen on the far end where meats are cooked on wood-fired grills and their bread and pide are baked in a specially designed oven, also woodfired. Refrigerated period-looking displays show off an assortment of meats from steaks to kebabs to kofta. Another display holds their freshly made in-house Mezza; while a third display holds…you guessed it, the OMG! desserts.
The Kasap’s kitchen is run by multiple-award-winning executive chef Attila Kalkan who looks more like a tough guy than the meticulous perfectionist he actually is.
He prepared my mixed grill which consisted of perfectly cooked kofta, tenderloin steak, and a wooden skewer each of lamb and chicken kebab…the latter three were like cotton requiring almost no effort in cutting or chewing. And the taste…pure Istanbul, beautiful.
And it doesn’t stop there, while I slowly ate my lunch I watched the kitchen serve the most amazing looking (and smelling) kebabs, chops, doner, salads and meter long pide, so by the end of my meal my eyes were still hungry.
I was lucky enough to spend a little time with their Turkish-New Yorker restaurant manager, Adam, who looks just like a young Silvio Berlusconi. It’s then that I realised why The Kasap looks and feels so familiar, it’s very similar to an old-fashioned New York deli (my opinion); New York being the city he grew up in. Even portion sizes at The Kasap are close to US XL.
Prices are very, very affordable for the quality of what you get. This is very much Kaftan/Butcha quality for under Bosporus prices – amazing value for money if you ask me. Service is typically Turkish; genuinely friendly, willingly accommodating and constantly on their toes. I look forward to returning to try their Iskender Kebab, Lokum Steak, Lamb Shaslik and, on Adam’s recommendation, the Old-Fashioned Mom Style. That’s not before I am tempted back by their delicious looking breakfast (including my favourite Menemen). As you can see, I’m totally smitten with this new Turkish steakhouse and have no hesitation in wholeheartedly recommending it. Just one small recommendation to the restaurant – add Mante to your menu – PLEASE.
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Xerxes physically visits (and dines at) each and every venue he reviews. He pays in full for whatever he and his companions eat and drink. Xerxes accepts no money, gifts, discounts or free meals in return for reviews. What you have read was not influenced in any way by the venue. Join me on Instagram @ravenousxerxes or email me on: xerxes@dellara.com