Ozer Restaurant

The 'Ottoman cuisine' here is lighter and more refined than the Turkish norm, as local workers and shoppers fully appreciate. This restaurant's Ankara sibling is supposed to be one of the best in Turkey. Portions are 'elegant' but mains like roasted shoulder of lamb with kumquat marmalade are powerful.

Ozer is the sister restaurant to budget Turkish fave Sofra. Indeed, aside from the slightly more opulent decoration deep red always looks good on a restaurant it could be the identical twin sister restaurant.

Happily, while its possibly aimed at a smarter set the locals around Langham Place, presumably the food, service and prices at Ozer are identical to the Sofra formula, i.e., good, friendly and sensible respectively. That says a lot of the group and owner Huseyin Ozer.

The Mixed Meze starter was typically fine, as was the bread and humus I tried to resist like a good Atkins convert but it just tasted too good. Mains a superbly marinated and cooked Chicken Shish and the lamb version of the same showed what you can do with this style of cuisine when your typical customer isnt lagered up and coming in after 11pm. Wine house red, Turkish, surprisingly quaffable washed it down in decent style. As for the service, this was as smiling and efficient as you get, even when circumstances a clumsy passerby, a menu and a candle conspired to ignite our table. Flames, such as they were, were extinguished with speed and aplomb and glasses of champagne appeared to apologise for any inconvenience.

Authentic? Probably not. Tasty and keenly priced? Without a shadow of a doubt.

Dine like a pasha in this sumptuous, atmospheric restaurant that draws on the vast culinary influences of the Ottoman Empire, prepared and served with a light, modern touch. Fascinating. Choices might include meze like seared tuna in spice filo crust with ginger, fig and lime chutney or mains like roasted shoulder of lamb with kumquat and limequat marmalade. Don't miss the dill sorbet. Be prepared for a unique meal in a stylish, welcoming ambience. Ozer may conquer you.