Sheesh is a fascinating conundrum; Dickens, Essex, Lord Alan Sugar, zebra print carpets, Baroque fittings and Turkish cuisine. With amazingly succulent meat and one of the most glamorous eateries in the area, Sheesh is definitely worth a visit.

The Venue
Built in 1547, Ye Olde Kings Head is one of the oldest public houses in England and alleged to be the Maypole Inn in Charles Dickens' fifth novel ‘Barnaby Rudge’. Famous visitors are said to include Dick Turpin, Winston Churchill and Orson Welles. Lord Sugar’s Amsprop vehicle bought the building before leasing to proprietors of a successful local restaurant.

The contemporary interior is a huge contrast to the historic Tudor building but both are beautiful and don’t compete for attention. Guests are greeted by a closed electronic gate with buzzer to gain access to the secure car park. A heated terrace gives diners and drinkers an alfresco option, while inside two bars offer cocktails, with the Piano Bar hosting occasional live entertainment.

The restaurant uses the quirks of the old building to divide the dining into distinctly different rooms; a main dining hall with view of the kitchen, larger booths, the leather lounge, the love lounge (for more intimate dining...) and the conservatory. The decor is bold, and has leather in abundance complemented by dark tiles, crystal chandeliers and mirrors.

The Atmosphere
Sheesh has a definite buzz, with enough glitz and glamour to befit the Essex set that frequent it. Dining is by no means formal but the diners and atmosphere is still sophisticated, even if there is definitely a nice and relaxed air to things.

The Food
Sold as Turkish with a Mediterranean influence, Sheesh’s menu contains all the Turkish favourites with a few added extras. All starters are served with fresh homemade bread, and the meze of dips includes the expected humus (delicious), taramasalata and cacik, and is ideal for sharing (£6.90 small/£13.50 large).The fresh sardines (grilled) are served with lemon and olive oil (£7.50), and are fresh, cooked to perfection and well presented.

Ingredients are sourced from Billingsgate, Smithfield and Spitalsfield markets – and it shows that care has gone into sourcing quality fish, meat and vegetables. The lamb shish kebab (£13.90) has no fancy description on the menu but is unbelievably tender and succulent, with some delicious flavour. To cover more options, the karisik grille mixed selection of meats (£18) provides a designer black plate of succulence.

Desserts are a mix of cultures, with Turkish delights including an excellent baklava (£4.90), with the honey and pistachio pastry complete with suitably crisp stickiness served with vanilla ice cream. More traditionally English options include apple crumble and custard, or sticky toffee pudding (both £5.50).

The Drink
The wine list has an emphasis on celebration with seven champagnes from £29 a bottle (£7.50 per glass) to £220. Whites have a starting price of £15 for an Italian pinot grigio, going up to £42, via a very reasonable chablis premier cru at £26. Reds range from £15 (£5.50 a glass) to £35 with a barolo coming in at a very tempting £29. Rosé and dessert wines are also on offer. A good range of cocktails are all £8.

The Last Word
As landlord Sugar might say – 'you’re hired'. With lamb that tender, it’s worth splashing out once in a while, and the glamorous venue should make any night feel special.

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