As we’ve said before, Meadows Cafe is the kind of place you could walk past a thousand times without going in. But a few weeks back we were lured by its new two course evening meal (a bargainous £8.50), and surprisingly candle-lit interior.
Jazz straight out of a Woody Allen movie tinkled more noisily than you’d expect. Diners were cracking into bottles of wine. Tea-lights flickered. And with the front door open, and occasional roar of a car outside, there was a Mediterranean feel to the night.
Forget most of the menu and concentrate on the Anatolian dishes, for Meadows is essentially a quality Turkish restaurant. The family come from Istanbul. The chef has done time at the Sofra chain and Mem Laz in Islington. And the quality of their product shows. We were immediately impressed, for example, by the George Duboeuf house red at £13.
We chose broad beans and calamari to share to start. Unlike at Pizza East, the beans were cooked lightly, correctly room temperature and deliciously marinated in coriander, dill, mint, garlic and pepper. They were served with yoghurt and warm pitta. The calamari was spot-on too: crisp batter, soft and tender inside with a tasty tzatsiki dip.
The mains continued to surprise. A chicken shish was tender, without being outstanding, but better was the Iskender, succulent lamb on pitta with tomatoes and herbs. It was, in fact, the kind of dish you could lick the plate clean.
And all around us was lively and civilized, like we had stumbled across a secret with a following. After we had eaten, we chatted to the friendly owners about the intricacies of Turkish food Istanbul, and our favourite district in Beyoglu, Cukucurma. We sipped bitter coffee to finish.
Then Meadows closed for a while, reopening a week or two back with a new bar and slicker interior. We returned last weekend and found it a little less charming, but the food was still tasty, especially the courgette fritters and adana sarma (parcels of lamb mince wrapped in tortilla served with yoghurt). We enjoyed outstanding baklava too, to finish. But atmosphere-wise, it seemed to have lost something.
Our advice? Turn the lights back down and the candles up. And with regards to the exterior, perhaps that Comic Sans font needs to go; or even better, opt for a Turkish name that truly reflects the menu. But keep that great £8.50 deal. The place is an understated gem for those in the know.
Words & Pics: Stephen Emms
7 thoughts on “Review: Meadows Cafe by night, Kentish Town Road”
I’m as into ambiance as the next man (though not, apparently, if the man in question is Mr Emms), but I think we can save time by taking as read that every restaurant in North London and beyond needs less light and more candles… 🙂
But Jamie, nothing will change unless we keep banging on about it, right? After all, we’re not getting any younger. Ahem.
True: It’s an acceptable campaign…
Then can we add another item to the agenda? In the current spirit of restaurants that serve only one thing incredibly well, who do I need to talk to about a high-end Toad-in-the-Hole emporium?
Now you’re talking. And Toad Shop would be a fantastic name. Actually we might copyright that one.
Thank u for ur great review.! My mates and i enjoyed some delicious anatolian dishes and mezzes too!! I have to say it was very reasonable prices as well as friendly staff.!
Hi
We have been looking for a Turkish restaurant in Kentish Town for a while now. We were so happy reading about this place. We had to go and try it.
Me and my girlfriend had a great time there at Meadows the other day. We loved the food and the service.
We will be going there regularly now.
Thanks
Me and my boyfriend discovered this little gem last night when we were looking for somewhere reasonably priced to eat before a gig at the HMV Forum. We were lucky enough to visit when they had a special deal of 2 courses for £10. However, don’t let the prices fool you – the quality of the cuisine is superb. Our meals were delicious, both starter and mains. The service was courteous without being overbearing. Nice atmosphere too. We just wish we lived nearby as this would be a regular haunt for us. Would definitely recommend to any fans of Mediterranean/Turkish food or anyone who wants to try something new.