Istanbul Grill

Recommends

PJ Writer

Joined 3 years ago

True Mediterranean in Pennsylvania. I passed Instanbul Grill while walking to another restaurant--a known, an Irish Pub. But the scents wafting from the place drew me to peruse their entire menu, posted nicely on the front. It was uncrowded but those inside smiled and nodded as if pleased with the food; so I decided to try it.

One bite of the lamb sautee' had me joining the nodders and smilers. The lamb is tender, the sauce based in tomatoes but with subtle flavorings that had me mopping the platter with the pita bread served with it. The rice--ahhhh, the rice. Slightly flavored (?a tiny touch of saffron perhaps?) and mixed with pine nuts, the rice was THE perfect accompaniament. THe servings are huge, so I--a lonely traveler--only tasted the lamb sautee' . One of the best lamb dishes I've tasted around the world.

I will be back. I don't get to PA often but this will be on my drive-out-of-my-way-to-eat list.

Step out of your comfort range and prejudice range (I acknowledged mine when I was glad that the music being played was turkish traditional songs and pop) and try Instanbul Grill.

I'm a single woman who felt completely at ease here as a one-top on a weekend evening. The atmosphere is urban loft meets nice Turkish home.

Doesn't Recommend

maxamilli33

Joined 3 years ago

REAL TALK ABOUT ISTANBUL GRILL. Buffet is OK / Price is good if you are eating in the resturant. If you want to get the buffet To- Go (because it is a lunch buffet and most people have to go back to work) THEN IT IS NOT A GOOD deal at all , let me explain, the man/women gives you 3 to- go trays 1)soup2)salad3)for food while you are gathering what you want to try/eat their is a woman staring at every little thing you put in the to go box and it is very uncomfortable-I am not overreacting onetime the women had the nerve to tap my shoulder a tell me to put something back saying that taking 2 of the item was not allowed and she was rude as Hell (if you was to eat in, you would've been able to eat 6 of this stupid little eggplant rolls and i told them this ,so the manager/chef/father came out and says that If you were eating in restaurant it would be different (confirming ) AMazed on How Stupid These businessowners were / acted and /talked I just left and I would NEVER GO BACK Don't waste your time and now that i think about the food have me diaherra b/c of all the dam greece oozing out and around the food Seriously don't do it to yourself or you family STAY OUT ( They are not going to survive in this or awaywhere for that matter . ALWAYS KEEPING IT ONE HUNDRED