BWW Reviews: A LA TURKA Offers Authentic and Inspiring Turkish Cuisine to the UES

There are many reasons why A La Turka on the Upper East Side so easily attracts guests, and convinces them to keep coming back. This spot has been a favorite of people on the Upper East Side and Yorkville neighborhoods since 1995.

The restaurant itself is cozy, yet spacious with perfect mellow lighting. And the large windows make you feel as though you are dining in the open air. The servers are attentive and knowledgeable and ready to help you make the ideal menu selection from their delightful array of dishes.

A La Turka has food and atmosphere that transports you to the Mediterranean. From the sultry wines to the house pita bread, perfectly prepared starters, salads, entrees, drinks and the potent Turkish coffee, everything on the menu is sophisticated in taste. The menu is completely true to A La Turka's home culture.

You don't need to undertake a full-scale, multi-course dinner since A La Turka also offers delicious pizzas topped with Turkish pastrami and kashar cheese. One of these is a meal in itself. But if you want to settle in for the complete experience, be ready for a few different kinds of food.

Your dinner can begin with cold appetizers such as grape leaves, hummus or eggplant salad. I ordered their baba ganoush on my latest trip, and found it to be the best I have ever had. And it's wise to order a few hot appetizers for table sharing. Fried calamari, charred octopus, and pastry rolls stuffed with tasty cheese and tart dill are favorites, so indulge.

A La Turka specializes in kebabs, tender and perfectly seasoned. But there are other delicious entree selections, all are executed with in-house flair. I highly recommended the stuffed chicken, filled with a medley of rice and pine nuts and topped with a savory white sauce.

And for dessert, A La Turka offers both Mediterranean signatures like baklava, assorted puddings and a few classics like dark, rich chocolate cake. Finish your night with a Turkish coffee, a rich taste that can make even the most powerful espresso seem mild.

A La Turka is open for lunch and dinner. They also feature prix fixe luncheon specials that are perfect for area shoppers and business lunches. Catering and take-out is available. Their address is 1417 2nd Avenue (corner of 74th Street) New York, NY 10021. You can call them at (212) 744-2424 or visit their web site at www.alaturkarestaurant.com.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of A La Turka

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