Grand opening: Islamabad residents in for authentic Turkish cuisine

Ozsar Turkish Doner House launches outlet at Centaurus Mall.

ISLAMABAD: The global food chain Ozsar Turkish Doner House officially launched an outlet at the Centaurus Mall on Friday.

Located next to Johnny Rockets, this latest addition to the sprawling food court promises authentic Turkish cuisine to food enthusiasts. The menu offers a variety of iskender and doner burgers, soups and salads and traditional doner.

Turkish doner and kebabs — made with freshly-minced lamb, beef or chicken — are often cooked on a rotating vertical broiler to allow the juices to drip down and caramalise on the surface. The meat is seasoned and wrapped in paper-thin Turkish bread, in similar fashion to shawarmas or gyros.

Meanwhile, iskander comprises a mixture of lamb and beef meat chunks, seasoning, yogurt and green chilli. The platter is served with rice, roti and vegetables.

The launch event also served a doner platter comprising bread with beef and veal chunks with Turkish naan. An assortment of traditional Turkish delights such as baklawa and coconut-filled chocolate truffles were served at the event.

However, Kemal Pasha, which is reminiscent of the syrupy and aromatic Gulab Jaman in South Asian cuisine, will be available on the menu. Vegetables, seasonings and dips lined the counter in a colourful presentation. Hummus, a popular appetiser came with a rich, creamy texture.

Turkish Ambassador Babur Girgin inaugurated the event. He said the doner reminded him of home and that he would be a frequent visitor at the mall now.

The outlet offers an ambient setting with crème-coloured couches placed close to the serving counter, overlooking the bustling mall in an open space. Thematic instrumental music played while ushers sporting crimson fez caps greeted guests, flashing smiles for photographs. DJ Xin hosted the event, encouraging guests to give their feedback on the culinary experience.

Humay Waseem, a food blogger who has lived in Turkey, said she has been eating at the outlet prior to the official launch of the food brand at the mall. “I really like the Turkish cuisine. It is light and healthy,” she added.

Chief-executive-officer of the brand Osman Ashraf said that he saw great potential for the Turkish cuisine in the country. “Pakistan and Turkey have enjoyed strong political ties, engagement in construction and entertainment industries so this is about taking that relationship forward,” he added. The brand will soon open branches in Lahore and Karachi.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 27^th, 2014.