A reasonably priced Turkish restaurant with large portions and friendly service.

The Venue
Testi is a Turkish restaurant located in Stoke Newington High Street, closer to Stoke Newington than Dalston. Unlike what its namesake indicates, it does not refer to what you might think, but to the Turkish word for jug, and you can actually see some testis by the restaurant’s name outside. The place is reasonably large with orange painted walls and Turkish ornaments on display. The main attraction is the ocakbasi (barbeque) where the meat is grilled.

The Atmosphere
Testi is very popular and busy, the staff is friendly and the clientele a mixture of local people. It has a nice buzz without being loud.

The Food
Anatolian cuisine abounds in this area of London but Testi rates particularly high. The portions are ample, the meat cooked to perfection in front of you. The hot or cold mezzes for starters like the spicy aubergine salad (£3.95) or haricot bean salad (£3.95) are very tasty and the borek (£4.50) (hot filo pastry filled with feta cheese) equally good. They also serve delicious and crispy lahmacuns (£2) which you can eat with salad.

Grilled meat is one of the main reason to go to an Ocakbasi restaurant and Testi does not disappoint. The mixed grill (£12.95) comes with chicken and lamb shish, lamb beyti and lamb cutlets served with rice. The grilled quail (£8.50) is tender and savoury. All meat is juicy with that particular char grilled taste. All the mains come with three salads: a mixture of softened sliced onions with parsley and sumac, char grilled onions with pomegranate juice and a tomato, cucumber and black olives salad.

The Drink
The wine list is limited. You can chose between Turkish wine (red or white Yakut) (£12), Hardys and Jacob’s Creek (£12.50). Efes (£2.50), the Turkish beer served at the restaurant is crisp and very pleasant.

The Last Word
For a great Turkish dining experience Testi is a great place to go. The food is delicious, very reasonably priced and you certainly will not be hungry when you leave.

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