UK vs Kalkan Restaurants.

[kele]

Back in the UK. Last night we popped out for a quick meal at a Chef & Brewer pub. Despite over 25% of the tables being free, we were told we’d have to wait 30 mins for one, and have a drink at the bar.

Once we’d been given a table, after 40 mins, it was sticky, dirty, and in a very poorly ventilated area.

Our food was nothing exceptional, the salad on the plate comprised of two lettuce leaves and a quarter tomato, everything else clearly having been either microwaved or quickly grilled by unskilled staff.

There were also two errors on our bill, which eventually came to over 88tlr for two courses and a couple of glasses of beer and wine.

This all makes me realise just how badly we are being ripped of both by way of quality and service here in the UK, and just how very lucky we are to have over 100 eating places [recent statistic] in Kalkan.

We’ve all read and maybe even reviewed eating places in Kalkan but nothing can compare with what we get at home-it’s rubbish here!

Mind you, we were asked ‘is everything ok with your meal?’ And you don’t get that in Turkey!


Linkback: https://www.enjoykalkan.com/forum/index.php?topic=8236.0

[samson]

 :)yes in turkey its "enjoy your meal" as the chances are we will!

[alantj]

:)yes in turkey its "enjoy your meal" as the chances are we will!

Back in the UK. Last night we popped out for a quick meal at a Chef & Brewer pub. Despite over 25% of the tables being free, we were told we’d have to wait 30 mins for one, and have a drink at the bar.

Once we’d been given a table, after 40 mins, it was sticky, dirty, and in a very poorly ventilated area.

Our food was nothing exceptional, the salad on the plate comprised of two lettuce leaves and a quarter tomato, everything else clearly having been either microwaved or quickly grilled by unskilled staff.

There were also two errors on our bill, which eventually came to over 88tlr for two courses and a couple of glasses of beer and wine.

This all makes me realise just how badly we are being ripped of both by way of quality and service here in the UK, and just how very lucky we are to have over 100 eating places [recent statistic] in Kalkan.

We’ve all read and maybe even reviewed eating places in Kalkan but nothing can compare with what we get at home-it’s rubbish here!

Mind you, we were asked ‘is everything ok with your meal?’ And you don’t get that in Turkey!

But on the other hand the beer is a lot better

[Bdancer]

Also you in Kalkan you never one of the most annoying phrases ever " I'm sorry we stopped serving 5 mins ago, so I will have to ask the chef" arrgghhh.
Isis

[Irene]

Hi - totally agree with your comments, invariably if we eat out in the UK I find myself complaining about something, i.e. dirty tables, cutlery, poor service, dishes not as described on the menu. etc...  Personally,  we tend to compare most places to Kalkan, and therefore would prefer to save our money for our holidays, whereby we are treated properly, the food is fantastic and the Turkish people politeness itself! Roll on our next KK fix!

[merseydave]

How many times in Britain do you get the wine and water poured for you when your glass is empty, ashtrays emptied on a half hour basis (OH not me !), attentive service (generally). And no surly service by a spotty teenager (can be lack of training), Ladies asked and served first, the list is endless!!  6 more sleeps! 

[RuthMarie]

I've never been to a restaurant in the UK where I've been so well looked after that I've returned 4 nights in a row!  Deniz restaurant was my favourite.  As I was traveling alone and therefore dining alone most of the time, I was given star treatment:  I even had my fish boned and cut for me at my table by the resident "fish doctor"!  You just don't get that in the UK!  Lovely seafood and superb service...  When I got back home I promptly booked a flight and went straight back again.

[chickengeorge]

You guys must be picking the wrong restaurants in the UK. I went out twice last week around Eastbourne. Had great meal in Table Table with good service and an even better meal in a local pub with great staff and the best cheesecake I've ever had. There are also great deals on price as well. Ok, it is the uk and it was raining for the most part and not the same atmosphere as Kalkan but overall not too bad at all.

[zola]

I agree with chicken george, i went home for a week last year to croydon for a wedding. i stayed just outside croydon ate out every night i was there and had no complaints, food, service, staff, were perfect and the weather was good enough to take a beer outside. The best part of eating out in the UK is the choice. Chinese, indian, mexican and of course good old English. i don't dislike turkish food but would love a choice every now and again, all of the restuarants do the same thing here nothing different.

[onelove]

I could kill for a Ruby when I'm in Kalkan for 2 weeks 

[Alfresco]

There's good and bad restaurants/service the world over. 

I just think some of you have been picking the wrong restaurants in the U.K!   

[Roxie]

Everyone get real! I've travelled a lot and I bought a house in Kalkan. We as a family love our food. Consistently the best quality we have had. Still travel but  Kalkan is the best
Rx

[chickengeorge]

Oh yes I must 'get real'.  I have travelled alot as well and have had great food in many places, Kalkan being one of them. I'm sorry I had an opinion on UK restaurants but I'll stick to what I said, there are many good ones.

[cleworthallray]

Good for you chickengeorge, I think you are completely right. I am an x chef and have worked and taught hospitality in a variety of countries in Europe. They all have great aspects and some that are not as good as Blighty....hence being invited to teach there. Kalkan is without a doubt one of the most consistent places to receive good quality food as a holiday maker. When on business in France 9 years ago I ate at exclusive restaurants and hotels where the food was extremely good but very expensive. I can remember having Langoustines, then torteau (crab), then mussels, beef fillet and camembert with Ricard, muscadet and cognac for 2 costing over £200 (over 600tl) paid for by EEC. (thats where are money goes) but as a holiday maker there I would probably only spend around £40 for 2. In Kalkan our evening meal usually cost around 120-160 tl for excellent food every night. The service is good and for the most we usually had a waiter ask us if our meal is ok. I love the first lavash (puffy bread) but after 6 would die for a hovis cob. I am a considered critic when it comes to the industry and will always wish to talk to the chef or owner. The chef from Gourmet came to talk to us at the table ask if we enjoyed the meal, which we did but I did say that I thought the free apertiser was too specialist for the average taste. Sushi and not very nice tasting dips all beautifully presented. I had met him before as the chef from coast. On the way out I spent 10 minutes with him in the kitchen and he was looking at the amount of apertiser coming back mauled but not eaten. He already knew it needed looking at. He is a very good chef and only wants to constantly improve our experience. After a week of eating in Kalkan we both  are ready for some different style of cooking and food. There is some crap places to eat in UK but many fabulous places and as already said the variety of styles are huge. Since being back I have really enjoyed Cheesy beans on toast, Chiili etc. In Kalkan my favourite meal was at Barat. Spaghetti carbonara, very different but absolutely superb. One other observation..I love the tomatoes in Kalkan and other foods from the market but I believe that we should not forget that we are so fortunate to have the highest quality of fruits and veg in our supermarkets. The Kalkan market sellers and restaurant chefs would fall off their perches if the had our variety to sell or cook with. Enjoy your holiday times , there quality, but theres no place like home. Regards Ray

[Blue Lizard]

Ingredients are what really count..fresh produce,vibrant colours and spices contribute loads ...my local supermarkets? if i don't eat my newly purchased cucumber before i leave the car park it turns to mush.....i love kalkans market and indeed turkish markets with all those smells of freshness and deep colours and the huge sizes that things come in..  
 
whatever happened to Big Jaffa oranges???

[cleworthallray]

Tesco's blue........come from Israel. Fresh sqeezed orange juice on market in Kalkan very good.......and cheep as chips......and better than a riot........and asda price.......you know the ticket...............................