While Headington isn't exactly known for its dining destinations, Bar Meze alone should put it on the culinary map. This Turkish Bar and Restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere, gorgeous food, and coffee to die for.
Nathan and I walked in and were escorted to a table with comfortable low chairs that ensured we felt comfortably ensconced as we looked over the menu. It is difficult to choose from the expansive array of choices, and so we decided to go for the owner's suggestion of "Mezes Delight", a mixture of cold and hot mezes followed by Meze Special, dessert and coffee.
The owner was kind enough to recommend half of our mezes based on our own choices, and so we ended up with a tasty combination of the known and unknown: Artichoke Hearts, Humus and Pita Bread, Borek (friend pilo pastry with feta and parsley), Inegol Koftesi (marinated, charcoal-grilled minced lamb), Chicken Saute, Patlican Tava (charcoaled aubergine in spicy tomato sauce), Dolma, Calamari, and my personal favourite, Balik Kofte (fish cakes with the most fragrant mango sauce I have ever encountered).
We chose the house red wine, Kavaklidere's “Yakut” Öküzgözü d’Elazig 2007. It is apparently the best-selling wine in Turkey, and comes from a winery in Ankara. It was a very pleasant ruby red wine, and complemented our mezes perfectly. It is always exciting to try wine from different regions, and Bar Meze offers a great variety.
It was anyone's guess whether we could fit in dessert after all the mezes, of which we left no trace, they were so delicious! But when the fruit platter, complete with kiwi, strawberries, mango, and all sort of enticing options came to the table, we just had to sample.
To round it all off, we were presented with a variety of Turkish delights which cut the boldness of the Turkish coffee - presented in a traditional and very beautiful ibrik.
All in all, the evening was one of those rare occasions on which the food is breathtaking, the service un-intrusive, and the atmosphere completely conducive to enjoying each others’ company.
