Anatolian Kitchen: Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine

Anatolian Kitchen
3016 Linden Street 
Bethlehem, PA
610-419-8204
Hours: M-Sun
Spoon Rate:  

We entered a cozy environment, every table filled with friends and family sharing appetizers and appetizing-looking entrees.  The hardworking, friendly servers greeted us and I was optimistic to have a satisfying experience.  The Lehigh Valley is blessed with a wide variety of restaurants serving variations of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine.  Anatolian Kitchen, describing themselves as serving Turkish/Mediterranean fare,  is another to add to the list, and an asset to Bethlehem's restaurant selection, just a few miles outside of Main Street shopping/dining district.

Our accompanying friends have recently become regulars, and recommended we start with Karisik Meze Tabagi, a mix of all their appetizers (small, $9, large, $16).   Perfect for sharing, flavor and variety, it includes a variety of spreads, such as hummus, baba ganoush, an eggplant salad, stuffed grape leaves, and more, served with fresh warm bread.

We chose a variety of their classic entrees, including lamb kebabs ($13,95), chicken kababs ($11.95), manti (traditional Turkish dumplings, $10.95), & kibbee.  We enjoyed sharing the generous, delicious and continually flavorable portions.  

Our meal was completed with turkish coffee served in a classy, special cup.   We chose three classic desserts, including baklava and kunefe (also spelled kanafeh, a pastry that includes a sweet cheese.)  Most noteworthy is the baklava.  The first bite caused me to pause and say "Wow.  I think this is the best baklava I have ever eaten."  This sounded dramatic, I needed to confirm with the second bite, and it proved to be just as extraordinary as it melted in my mouth.  The others tried and each of us had similar reactions.  It's true.  There is something special about the baklava--don't miss it.

 Anatolian Kitchen is the kind of place you can easily revisit and want to bring your friends and family.  It's casual but classy, warm, comfortable and the food is extremely satisfying. 

 

Melting Pot Month-Ephesus

Ephesus
549 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA
610-867-4040
Hours: M-Sun 11a-10p

Spoon Rate:      

Main Street, Bethlehem is blessed again with another new restaurant option.  I was intrigued by its name, an ancient city in Modern-day Turkey & its claim to serve Turkish, Greek & Mediterranean food.  There are plenty of other options in the Lehigh Valley that already have my attention, like True Blue Mediterranean (whose new 2nd location is around the corner from Ephesus), Soumaya & Sons, or a newfound, Damascus, just to name a few.  However, the Turkish cuisine, is a welcomed addition to the Valley.  This was intriguing.

I can't say we have an intelligible response for what distinguishes Turkish food, but we had an enjoyable meal.  An ideal location for a date night, we were offered the window seat--a beautiful evening to enjoy the Bethlehem strollers.  We were served with pita bread and a seasoned dipping oil.  Speedy and friendly service brought our salads (included in our entrees) with accompanying olive oil & a tasty vinegar.  (I read an online review where someone complained that this was the only dressing option--so this serves as a warning.  Seriously, though--can't we have respect for the cultural traditions and feel privileged by what's offered instead of needing our American, individualized preference?!)

I decided to order something new for me, and settled on the "Swooning Priest," intriguely-named, vegetarian dish of eggplant stuffed with tomatoes.  Served with rice and a generous portion of plain yogurt--it was interesting, I wasn't quite sure whether to mix the yogurt with the eggplant?  Nonetheless, it was enjoyable.  

The waiter raved about the lamb gyro platter my husband decided to order.  How can you resist when he repeatedly informed us "You can't buy meat like this anywhere.  We make it special."  He was satisfied and the most special part was the large serving, including 2 different kinds of rice.  The pride he took in the food that was served definitely enhanced our overall experience.