Kebab Can Be A New Year’s Resolution And This Is The Place To Start
On one day every year, one food in particular has a steep rise in business: the traditional New Year's Eve to New Year’s Day Kebab.
'Kebab of lamb, with homemade bread'; photo by Lesya Dolyk via Flickr (via Wikimedia, licensed under cc-by-sa-2.0)
Growing up with a Turkish background, my family considered Kebab to be an important food that consequently had to taste authentic. By turning the food we all know and love into an all-night-long food and drink celebration of the New Year, Gökyüzü’s restaurants are at the heart of Turkish cuisine in Northern London. Through many years of London hustle and bustle, Gökyüzü’s restaurants have been attracting foodies from around the city who harbour refined palettes for Middle Eastern cuisine. Maintaining a modern Middle Eastern aesthetic across their restaurants by featuring everything from mosaic patterns to eye-catching staple blue chairs, a unifying theme ties the restaurants together. Constantly busy, the restaurant immediately greets customers with a fragrant aroma of displayed meat skewers and vegetables ready to be grilled. Presenting an olfactory experience that will instantly remind you of your best food experiences, this restaurant is undoubtedly a perfect place to celebrate.
A list of all of my favourite dishes would be never-ending, but here are a few of my must-haves:
For the veggie-lovers, I begin with the not-so-humble salad—something not to be ignored. Made with fresh ingredients ranging from carrots to red cabbage, and topped with pomegranate sauce and chilli flakes from Turkey, this is a classic that has been recreated to complement any meal you choose.
Lahmacun is a staple of the Kebab experience in my eyes, and I have searched across London for this classic Turkish pizza-style dish combining mincemeat, tomatoes, red peppers, onion and parsley on a thin base and cooked in an oven. Gökyüzü’s rendition of this dish is essentially perfect. The flavours never disappoint and the dish is served in the traditional way: with a lemon wedge to allow the Mediterranean flavours to fully emerge. This is perfect to share and is ideal for anyone who values bold flavours in a simple dish.
Kebabs are evocative of feasts traditionally associated with family and friends. Family members of all ages gather for Kebabs in the garden, and Gökyüzü embraces this family-orientated culture by offering numerous sharing platter options. Thus, if you plan to celebrate with your friends or family, there is an option for everyone and nobody will leave hungry. From the classic Shish and Adana Kebabs to lamb ribs and chicken wings, there is something for everyone to try and love. I can also assure you that the portions of these platters of chargrilled delights are so generous that you will probably have some to take home—a wonderful snack for later.
Lastly, for the party member with a sweet tooth, kunefe is a Turkish dessert made of filo pastry, filled with cheese and syrup and served warm. This heavenly sweet treat does not compromise on taste, and will keep you fueled throughout the night. It is a perfect dessert with which to either finish off the New Year’s Eve celebrations or maintain the energy to party the night away.
From the most avid meat eaters to the veggie legends, there is something for everyone to indulge in. Kebab certainly does not need to be limited to strips of meat layered on a bed of chips in a to-go polystyrene box. Kebab was made for celebrations—not just for the after-party quick snack—and Gökyüzü is the best place for this Kebab-related New Year’s resolution that I propose to you: to see it as a food evoking and encompassing shared celebration among family and friends.
Address: 26-28 Grand Parade, Green Lanes, Harringay Ladder, London N4 1LG
Instagram: @gokyuzu_restaurant_greenlanes
Edited by Trisha D. Gupta, Co-Food and Drink Editor
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