Kapadokya50
25 George Hudson Street
York YO1 7EX
Tel: 01904 622500

Word has clearly been getting around regarding York's new Turkish restaurant. Owner Mitat Kucukkoylu says that the York public is showing great interest in Kapadokya. He has already taken numerous bookings, even though the restaurant does not open until Wednesday, August 6.

He says: "It's surprising how many people in York have been to Turkey and are knowledgeable about it. A lot of them seem to be looking forward to seeing the restaurant open.

It's a Turkish restaurant, with traditional open charcoal cooking so that customers can see the food being prepared. There's nowhere in York like this and as far as I know it is the only one of its kind in North Yorkshire." Mitat, himself a chef, is also delighted with the team he has assembled at Kapadokya, which is in George Hudson Street. He worked with the head chef at a highly rated Turkish restaurant in Cambridge and Mitat has brought in several specialist chefs for different styles of Turkish cuisine.

Samples from the cold starter menu include humus and kisir - bulgar wheat, herbs, spring onions, onions and olive oil, mixed with a tomato puree. Borek, on the hot starter menu, features filo pastry filled with a blend of feta cheese, eggs and parsley.

The main course (dishes from £7.95) features a good selection of kebabs and grills, and Mitat is sure that the Kapadokya special will prove hugely popular. It's based on a 500-year-old dish prepared for a Sultan and comprises cubes of chicken, cooked with almonds, apricot, cinnamon, honey and lemon, serviced with rice.

There are plenty of vegetarian options and a table d'hote menu is offered at £17.50 for four courses followed by tea or coffee.

Most people who are interested in travel will know of Kapadokya, the area of Turkey after which the restaurant takes its name, and which is famous for its spectacular cave-like houses and temples.

Mitat wanted to create a restaurant which looked right as well as offering a fine menu. He brought in designer Phil Cook of Scarborough to create the right appearance, and Phil has combined old and new ideas.

Phil says: "I've gone for a traditional Turkish look with a modern English twist. A lot of material has been hand-made in Turkey for the restaurant, including customised metallic dishes, panels and ceramics." There are also framed pictures of traditional Turkish scenes from the days of the Ottoman Empire.

Kapadokya is fully licensed and the range of drinks includes Turkish beers and wines.