For a different evening
by Miss Terry Diner
The Dining Out team was invited by manager Alfie to A La Turca, claimed to
be the only Turkish restaurant in Thailand, which is right here in Pattaya.
We had been once before after its opening almost two years ago, so it was of
interest to see just how this ethnic cuisine restaurant was faring.
Finding
it can be a little tricky. It is in The Market Pattaya, but you can get to
it from both Beach Road (before Soi 6) or from Second Road (after Soi 6).
The restaurant is actually at the back of Soi 6, so park where you can in
The Market and look for the A La Turca sign which is on the roof of the
restaurant, so look up! Inside it is certainly an ethnic venue. The walls
are covered in Turkish memorabilia, almost like a Turkish Hard Rock Café,
but instead of Elton John’s boots you get knitted Turkish socks! Middle
Eastern hanging lanterns, Ottoman couches upstairs and a busy bar along the
far wall. There are even a couple of flying carpets hanging over the
mezzanine floor railing, but appeared to be grounded that evening.
On the night we arrived there was a full-blown party going on with numerous
Turkish gentlemen enjoying a noisy buffet. They became even more
enthusiastic, clapping wildly when the ‘Turkish’ belly dancer appeared and
gyrated on the table tops, while 100 baht notes were tucked into her
G-string. During the performance, Turkish music was played, one of the
waiters banged a tambourine with enthusiasm, and another cleared space on
the tables, so she had room to vibrate. If a posse of Bedouins had ridden
through on horses I would not have been surprised, but I am probably mixing
my countries as well as my metaphors.
The menu is a photographic one, always a good idea when dealing with
unfamiliar dishes. You can get an idea of what to expect. It also begins
with a couple of pages relating to the history of the cuisine, and well
worth reading.
Soups are B. 110 and the five appetizers between B. 110-165. These include a
potato salad with fresh vegetables and olive oil. Cold appetizers are mainly
around B. 95 and Tzatziki dip is on offer. There are also some “Harem’s
secret” dishes with a mixture of Turkish appetizers for two at B. 265, and
an interestingly named Harem lady’s thigh kofte.
The menu goes for many pages, with kebabs, shish-kebabs and doner-kebabs
around B. 225.
Despite the Ottomans having taken over the country in 1453 AD, owner Can
(pronounced Jan) assured me that the Turks like their alcohol, and beer,
house wine and the Turkish Raki (like Ouzo or Pastis) is available.
On our night, it was a buffet, so we had the opportunity to try many of the
dishes. We began with a typical Turkish red lentil soup which is taken with
a slice of lemon, and some unleavened pita bread. Good, hot and nourishing.
Next up, I tried the potato salad, and there was no getting away from the
fact that the extra-virgin olive oil kept the moistness in the dish. We also
tried the chicken shish-kebabs (but watch out for the green chilli pepper),
the cabbage rolls and some char-grilled Turkish meatballs. Madame even
managed to find room for some sticky sweet Turkish dessert with sugar and
honey, which she said was similar to a Thai dessert.
A La Turca is certainly different. It has a different ambience compared to
other restaurants in Pattaya, and it has tried to offer authentic Turkish
food for its patrons. It certainly is a venue where large numbers can get
together for a riotous evening of food and drink, and if you would like a
belly dancer (not ballet dancer) at your evening’s table, give Alfie a call
a couple of days beforehand, to allow the glue to set for the belly-button
jewelry. Fun and inexpensive, get a few folk together and give it a try.
A La Turca, in The Market between Second and Beach Roads, telephone 038 411
483 or 081 945 7503, open seven days, noon till 11 p.m. Adequate parking in
The Market.
