The Crazy Life of a Cape Town Mother and Wife: Anatoli Turkish Restaurant.

OMG, as they say in teen speak. So sorry chaps, having had a few minutes to read my recent blog postings, which I hope you understand are usually done standing up at the kitchen counter between doing the dishes and the school run, I realize I have been moaning a lot of late. (Granted there have been reasons, but still...) My apologies, this is not meant to be a channel for vitriole, even though I have decreed it absolutely "ME space", I don't want to bore you dear sweet readers with rantings and ravings. Back to being sweet, gentle, tolerant Suzy Q.

Allow me please to pass on some useful information to you, if perchance you don't know about this little gem already. When I was an alien backpacking abroad in the early '80s (and weeping those aforementioned buckets of tears about Zola Budd's undignified fall from fame and grace, whilst dreaming of a rare thumb's up for South African's during those dark days) I used to receive a copy of Fair Lady, my favourite magazine from home from my late mum. In this lifesaving slice of South African life (I swear I could smell the sunshine and fine wine off it's covers) I read about a Turkish restaurant which had started out in Napier Street in 1984. It sounded right up my alley, so to speak, for this was brave new terrain, waaay before the VnA Waterfront development transformed this dodgy part of the city. It's housed in a converted Victorian warehouse with an authentic redbrick facade, and the interior is high ceilinged with a most exotic, Middle Eastern air.

All this to say, that as soon as the soon to be Mr Suzy Q and I arrived back in my beloved Mother City, and got ourselves jobs (gasp) salaries (double gasp) and wheels (well, what more can I say!?) we headed for Anatoli. With a few hiatuses (take a generous handful or two for years of raising the little ones without an additional income) it remains a favourite with our family. I've never been to Turkey, but these dudes just want to make me get on a boat and sail the Bosphorous, and dine out on their fabulous cuisine.

However, till such time arrives, take my advice and pop into Anatoli for their fabulous mezzes. The waiters arrive at your table, biceps bulging, bearing heavily laden trays with all manner of delicious dishes. Spicy, enticing, hot or cold, take your pick and dip into Mucver (zucchini, feta and chives, pan fried) chicken and walnut paste, fried potato cakes and chilli infused dips served with piping hot breads. I must admit that it's been a long time since I tried any of the main courses as the starters fill me up so fast, and we all love to nibble, chat and share, but reading about them now to get this blog just right, I think that my next visit might just get me ordering a lamb in yoghurt with black pepper or something similar to do them justice. Main courses come in small or large portions, ideal for smaller appetites. All the better for being washed down with a passable glass of house wine, a bottle of Turkish beer, or if you're trendier than us, (no prizes for guessing here) a Turkish Delight martini. So whilst I might have had a minor gripe or two about establishments not doing it quite right lately, here's a toast to Anatoli's, 28 years old and still going strong. To the rest of you amateurs out there, this is how it's done. Consistently fabulous food, friendly, efficient service, great atmosphere, and if you don't get too carried away as we occasionally do, a reasonably priced night out. To Tayfun and his team, whatever you do, please don't stop, if I could be a table boarder I would. Just imagine, I could add to my middle aged girth and volunteer as a weekend belly dancer. Now there's a thought, and an offer they surely could not refuse!?