01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
An evening at Doluca Mahsen Turkish Mediterranean Restaurant typically begins with tearing into freshly baked ekmek, the restaurant's house flatbread, to scoop up a colorful array of meze dips. For newcomers, the 4-variety meze platter offers a balanced introduction, bringing together nutty chickpea hummus with tahini, fiery acılı ezme pepper relish, and cooling strained yogurt pastes folded with vegetables. Individual starters round out the table, from imâm bayıldı—a classic chilled dish of tender eggplant stuffed with simmered vegetables whose name translates as "the imam fainted"—to seared slices of hellim (halloumi) cheese that pair naturally with wine.
When it comes to main courses, charcoal-grilled skewers take center stage. The lamb shish kebab features tender, mildly flavored morsels of lamb, while the spiced minced lamb Adana kebab delivers bold regional seasonings. Both arrive flanked by charred vegetables, onion salad, and buttery pilav. Groups can opt for the mixed kebab platter, which gathers several skewers onto a generous shared tray.
The drinks list draws deeply from Turkey's winemaking traditions, featuring pours made from indigenous grapes like Öküzgözü and Boğazkere alongside rakı, the anise-scented spirit that turns milky white with water, and bottles of Efes beer. To finish, rich baklava layered with tissue-thin pastry and steeped in syrup or cinnamon-dusted sütlaç rice pudding make natural companions to hot çay or a cup of cezve-brewed Turkish coffee.
Illuminated by warm Turkish lamps, the cozy dining room offers a relaxed pace where the proprietor readily assists with food descriptions and beverage pairings. As the restaurant operates for dinner service only, making a reservation in advance is recommended.
