102 Smith Street, Collingwood.
This restaurant is in the mould of a turkish Movida, but still quite different. The room is less polished, the food is more rustic. One does not feel the same sense of occasion sitting in Gigibaba as one does in Movida, but it's equally enjoyable
No reservations are accepted, and it opens at 6. At 5:40 I was standing in a short line, for a small room. By 6pm the line was long. I wonder what time the first ones in the queue got there.
We were seated at the bar (where most people will have to sit). My girlfriend was of the opinion, that she was sitting next to Nick Cave. And she knows her music, I would be surprised if she was incorrect.
A turkish beer, efes, was well recieved. The menu listed a number of entree and main options, as well as a chef's banquet for $55. We chose the banquet.
During the first hour, around 10 cold vegetable dishes were brough out, each delicious, especially the silverbeet. There were also dips (hoummus spiked with tahini, a smokey eggplant babaganoush, and a delicious tomato based dip. And we were also granted and oyster each to begin (dressed with tomato and pomegranite).
My usual expectation is that when I start to get full, the banquet is nearing its end. And I was starting to get full after the vegetable dishes. Next were Kofte, the finest example I've had, and cheftalye (as translated by my Greek Cypriot girlfriend), also the finest example.
At that point I was getting very full, and was glad when a waitress delivered prawns in a claypot, and a pidgeon pastry, and told us that that we were "done".
But we weren't.
A main size barbequed chicken arived, a leg and a breast, and it was delicious. At this point I was very full, and assumed the dinner to be over - but again I was wrong.
Next up were Lamb cutlets, expertly seasoned an perfectly cooked, with a blast of oregano. Again I assumed we were finished, but 2 hot vegetable dishes arrived, as well as a salad, and I think a couple more meat dishes that I can't remember. And again we were told that we were done.
Desert, however, arrived in the form of middle eastern pastries. Bakalva, a birds nest, and a middle eastern quince tart.
All delicious, and I was ready to explode from the quantity of food eaten.
As noted, an efes pilsner (from turkey) was drank first, and it exceeded expectation. My girlfriend had a virgin mary, that she proclaimed as the best she has had (and she is an expert on virgin marys - it is her drink of choice). I followed the pilsner with a pinot noir from Domaine A's second label (92), and then a peppery Rhone valley syrah(93). A spanish cava (95) followed as a pallate cleanser, and then a bortrytis infected sauternes (91) to match with dessert.
Overall, a great dining experience. Traditional and rustic, but cooked with creative eye, and expertly seasoned and spiced.
The price was also good - $162.50 before tip, with one heavy drinker (as above).
This establishment will not replace fine dining, nor Movida and the like. It is however a better option than Abla's, but similar in idea (at least as far as food is concerned). It is most likely a cross between Abla's and Movida however. The wine options also make it a better option, as Abla's is strictly BYO. And this venue takes a creative approach to wine service. All drinks are properly measured, and you have the choice of a 120ml, 300ml, or of full bottle serving.
A brilliant restaurant, would not be surprised if it got at least a hat in the next Good Food Guide.
Definately Melbourne's best Turkish restaurant (15/20).
A bargain champagne. Pale straw and a persistent bead. Bought it for $42. Better than Australian sparkling wines at this (very cheap) price. Medium level of acidity.
