265 Upper Street,
Islington,
London,
N1 2UQ
0872 148 1230
The ViewLondon Review
An unpolished gem that serves little surprises with its decent standard Turkish fare.The VenueEven though Upper Street is not as busy as its neighbouring hubs of Angel and Highbury & Islington, it still holds its own. In fact, many prefer this street-in-between to its crowded counterparts because even though it is fairly busy, this strip still retains that endearing little-town-street quality. The strip is occupied by quaint shops and independent restaurants patronized by locals. It seems Gem picked the right place to settle. Even though its exterior looks like a Middle Eastern generic, the sturdy interior holds some edge; the farmers' tools motif (rakes, paddles and transporting tools) hung high on the white walls and ceilings call for a double take around this snug but roomy rectangular chamber.
The AtmosphereMellow, Middle Eastern music fills the nearly empty space; dinner service has barely begun. But it could also very well be the speedy service that is the reason for the seemingly poor show of patronage: the shaky table is immediately tended to, and the food and drinks follow swiftly. Engage in a jovial conversation with the staff if you're looking for a reason to linger.
The FoodComplimentary starters are prepared by the lady in the front - she makes a doughy and oily flatbread on a convex gas stove and fills them with thin layers of three different fillings: lightly spiced potatoes, mildly spicy chewy cheese spread, and vegetables - you get one of each. The mixed barbeque set (Mixed Izgara - £8.95) arrives soon after. It is a dish that consists of salty chicken shish, a slightly charred but fresh and chewy lamb shank, tender lamb shish and a fatty lamb doner served with a side of overcooked rice and a very plain salad. Dress the meats with the house condiments - cold, thick yogurt or spicy chilli sauce with a strong herbaceous kick - for added depth.
The DrinkGem will graciously serve you tap water if none of the juices (£1.50), soft drinks (from £1.50), beers (from £3.50), hard liquor (from £2.50), sherry (£3.50), port (£3.50), sparkling wines or wines (house wines at £10.95 per bottle) on the exhaustive list tickle your fancy.
The Last WordComfortable atmosphere, decent food, plus a handful of complimentary dishes. If these aren't enough, arrive before 7pm and order above £8 worth of food to get a free dessert. Do point this deal out on the menu - they tend to forget.