A few weeks ago, I wrote approximately how amazed I turned into discovering “non-airport-style” meals at Everett’s Paine Field — in short, some entrees that had been restaurant-exceptional good.
Now, the top of my cap goes to another surprise — a restaurant in a shopping mall that’s well really worth a go-to. You can spot Kismet Turkish Cafe & Bakery as you depart Macy’s to go into the mall at Alderwood. Just look up, stroll straight ahead, and be in search of the cheery crimson seats.
The subsequent element you may see is the cheery face of Janette Burk, who makes humans feel right at domestic with cuisine you can not be acquainted with.
Turkish food is truly similar to Greek delicacies; however, with its personal twists. So she’s equipped to make hints based on your hunger and options.
“Would you want to try the muhammara?” she requested as I studied the menu. She gave me a pattern of the dish, which has the consistency — however now not the taste — of hummus.
Intrigued, I speedy agreed to the plate ($7.69) of spicy pepper dip, which additionally includes pita bread, cucumber, olives, and tomatoes.
I certainly wanted to attempt the Turkish coffee; a focused brew served in small cups. But it became a warm day, I have been crawling in heavy site visitors, and I wanted something cool. So I opted for mineral water with just a splash of flavoring.
I became overjoyed with the muhammara, crafted from roasted crimson peppers with walnuts, pomegranates, onions, and cayenne pepper. If you are very careful about spiciness — a person who asks for a “zero” at the 1-five scale when you go to an eating place that serves spicy food — recognize that it has a kick.
The serving sizes are moderate. If you’re searching out a complete meal, you may need to add other services or choose dessert. But if the serving sizes are slight, the fees are extraordinarily affordable.
One of the cafe’s specialties is the omelet alaturka, with eggs, roasted greens, spices, and provolone cheese ($7.69). It’s an object historically served all day in Turkey.
There may be kofta kabab ($9.95) for the beef eaters amongst us, 4 pork meatballs, roasted peppers and tomatoes with pita, and a similar dish with 5 beef meatballs, dressed with yogurt and warm pepper sauce for $12.53.
I bought a spinach and feta borek to devour at domestic later. It’s truly much like spanakopita. However, it is rolled into a long filo-like dough instead of the conventional square layers of spanakopita. It’s a bargain at $4.75.
I’m no longer someone who feels that a meal without dessert isn’t a meal at all. But you owe it to yourself to attempt as a minimum one of the cafe’s services.
I tried the pistachio baklava ($2.Seventy one), a chunk-sized piece of goodness, sweet. However, with the overwhelming “hunk of honey” sweetness, you once in a while get with baklava.
Do take a look at the case complete of Turkish delights and candies in an expansion of combinations, including pistachios and pomegranates, kiwis and pistachios, orange and hazelnuts, and blueberries, pomegranates, and pistachios.
Sample one for $1.80, 3 for $4.50, 5 for $7.20 or a 12-piece container for $sixteen.20. Some clients checked out all of the choices and said: “Just give me a few matters that are famous.”
My recommendation: You can’t go incorrect. Just be adventurous and give any of them a try.
The cafe is incredibly new, having opened in March. It continues to be expanding its menu, and also, you’ll see some items indexed with an observation that they will be delivered soon.
Burk, who grew up in Kansas, has lived in Spain, Mexico City, and Turkey. In truth, the cafe has been a joint challenge together with her husband, T. Abraham Burk, who is from Turkey.
“We’re slowly including things,” Janette Burk stated, adding that she hopes to serve a spread of salads quickly.
“People are genuinely excited they have an alternative right here,” she stated.
It’s an area to both revel in a fave cooking culture or strive for the primary time. Add it to your list. You, too, will in all likelihood be surprised with this “non-mall-meals” choice.
