"Mmmm shashlik! Tender, spicy but not hot spicy......make your mouth water spicy. Charcoal chicken wings. Not the skinny flappy bit but,the shoulder and bicep. A tiny sprinkle of fresh lemon juice drizzled into the munchable, tender chicken. The starter dip things.... FANTASTIC Turkish naan. Light and fluffy with a good outside crunch, dipped into fresh proper humus. A garlicy yoghurt dip thing. Grilled onion quarters in a pomegranate sauce. A fresh and tangy salad with tomatoes, cos lettuce, cucumber, onion. Often Turkish salads that I've had have just been sprinkled with vinegar which, can make them slightly bland. Not so Charcoal's salad dressing. Imagine a charcoaled meat selection served on a bed of rice with a chips border and a sort of thin, round flatbread covering to keep the aroma and heat contained. Lamb shish in very small,succulent cubes on wooden skewers. The charcoal chicken wings, shashlik, thin strips of doner.thick, tender lamb chunks. Add a glass of Turkish red wine (or three). Maybe some Turkish tea with something sweet for those of us who like the slightest perspiration invoked by overeating. Yes, they do takeaway. Yes they have all sorts of fizzy drinks. But, they are not your usual Turkish takeaway. This place is well worth a sit down for an hour or so and serious, professional eating. Opposite Lidl so maybe, if you do some shopping in Lidl you could park there. Personally, I think it's worth taking the Northern line and walking from Edgware statation. A couple of outside tables for those that need a quick cigarette or an afternoon cup of coffee and a baklava. I was introduced by a friend who is Turkish and himself a retired restaurateur. In the 20 plus years I have known him he has always steered me to places that are good quality and not overpriced. This isn't a place with fancy carpets and bow tie waiters. It's like a mum n dad place who care and concentrate on flavour."
Döner
