New Turkish style restaurant opens in London

Tike Istanbul, Grill & Bar has recently opened on the ground and first floors of the Richard Rogers designed Lloyds Register building, adjacent to Fenchurch Street Station in London EC3.  A proven favourite with the young professionals of Istanbul, it has already caught the attention of London’s discerning Turkish community. 

Tike was founded by four cousins from Adana in 1998 in Levent, Istanbul. Their concept was to serve authentic, traditional Turkish and Mediterranean specialities from a menu which covers hot and cold small plates (mezze), as well as impressive main dishes from the charcoal grill and stone oven.

Everything is made on site and the flavours, marinades, herbs and spices enhance the flavour of the succulent meat. 

Start with complimentary home-made bread, fresh from the oven, served with tsatsik, before selecting a few ‘small plates’, including cherkez tavugu (creamed chicken breast dip with walnuts, £3.75) or ichli kiofte (handmade steamed balls of cracked wheat stuffed with minced beef, £3.85).

Next the ‘big plates’ priced from £7.25; house specialities include - kusleme, a grilled prime fillet of lamb and the ‘meterlik’ - a 1m long adana kofte kebab – chicken or lamb, definitely made for sharing!   Vegetarians are well catered for and there’s a plentiful selection of salads, including the wonderfully refreshing pomegranate and feta.

Desserts include tikepare, baklava bites, including a rich chocolate variation, and irmik helvasi, a house speciality baked with fresh semolina scented with cinnamon and pine nuts that are wrapped around a cooling ice cream centre.

Two set menus offer highlights from each course for £15.75 or £18.75. These are also ideal for larger groups where the social element to ‘pick and mix’ plates adds to the atmosphere. 

The long bar and high counter is a natural meeting point for pre- or post-dinner drinks, or as a destination in its own right. Mezze plates are the ideal accompaniment to a selection of cocktails, wines, champagnes, spirits and beers (including Efes). 

The modern interior reflects the building, and whilst downstairs has a more informal atmosphere, set around the buzz of the bar and the open-plan bread oven, the first floor is a sophisticated space, decorated with ivory and purple drapes.  There are also several al-fresco tables, those happy to enjoy a drink or a bite to eat outside are welcome borrow shawls on chillier days.

Tike is open Monday – Friday, Midday - 10:30pm (last orders). The restaurant is available for private hire at weekends. 

Tike is located at 5 Fenchurch Place, London EC3M 4AJ.

For more information, visit tikerestaurant.co.uk.