Don’t let the name fool you: Mersin Mediterranean Cuisine isn’t just your standard kebabs and shawarma. Owner Emin Kocacinar and his chef Mustafa Ogzur are turning out traditional Turkish eats in a casual dining space that does it’s best to replicate the sights and flavours of Turkey and create an authentic Mediterranean experience.
The concept: Traditional Turkish recipes are served in a laid back environment that allows for diners to eat in or take out (delivery and catering are also options). Mersin Mediterranean Cuisine’s space is filled with Turkish decor, like colourful tapestry-woven rugs known as kilim. Kocacinar has drawn from previous kitchen experience to create a menu that will appeal to all diners, from vegetarians to anyone who relishes a generous plateful of lamb, beef or chicken simmering in Turkish spices.
The hood: Bloor Street West (close to High Park), just west of Dundas.
The eats: Kebabs (called doner in Turkey) largely dominate the menu, from the familiar chicken, beef and lamb ($11.99 – $13.99) to the more exotic Tas kebab, served bowl-style with green pepper, mushroom, onions and tomato, and cooked yaga vurmak-style in a butter infusion ($12.99). The more adventurous may want to try a glass of ayran ($1.50) a Turkish drink of yogurt, water and salt, or settle instead for the Turkish coffee or tea ($1.25 – $3.25) served piping hot and fragrant.
The owner’s favourite: The Iskender kebab ($13.75), a generous portion of doner kebab beef that’s basted in hot tomato sauce, topped with melted butter and served over Turkish pide bread — dotted with black and white sesame seeds — and yogurt.
