Review: Anatolia Mediterranean Cuisine, Boca Raton
By John Tanasychuk
Important: This article was last updated on October 2, 2009. Please call ahead to confirm hours, prices, dates and other information.
 |
 |
|
First impression: While many dishes will be familiar to those who know Middle Eastern food — hummus, stuffed grape leaves —Turkish cuisine adds elements that remind me of Greek and other Mediterranean traditions. One hallmark of Turkish cuisine is that ingredients are meticulously diced and uniformly chopped.
Ambience: Comfortable chairs and orange linens give Anatolia a warm welcoming feel.
Starters: Order the Cold Appetizer Medley ($14.50) and you get a wonderful, shareable, sampler platter of hummus, eggplant salad, babaganoush, meatless stuffed grape leaves and Anatolia Salad — finely chopped tomatoes, pepper, onion, garlic and herbs in a citrus dressing. Likewise, the Hot Appetizer Medley ($14.50) is a nice tour. It includes falafel, fried zucchini, fried eggplant and something called a Finger Roll, in which phyllo is stuffed with feta and herbs and fried until golden. The accompanying tahini and yogurt/dill sauce called cacik help cut the oiliness of the fried vegetables. Don't miss the pides, sometimes called Turkish pizzas. Instead of a thin crust, toppings come inside thin, oblong bread. We had spinach and feta ($9.50), which was good, but a bit salty for our tastes.
Entree excellence: Karniyarik ($14.50) features thin slices of eggplant topped with meat baked with just a touch of tomato. Sauteed vegetables ($12.50) — spinach, eggplant and garlic — came in a steaming hot bowl and were again a bit salty. We were disappointed in a special, whole sea bass ($22.50), which was thin and filled with bones, even after most had been removed by our waiter. We didn't explore any of the grilled meats on the menu, but chicken, lamb and beef are all represented.
Sweet!: Some of the best baklava ($4.50) I've tasted is served here. It wasn't as cloyingly sweet as most versions. Kadayif ($4.50) was similar, but made with shredded pastry and much less filling. Don't miss the creamy Turkish rice pudding ($3.50), dotted with sliced almonds.
Service: Good, but at times arms-length.
Liquid assets: What a nice surprise to be able to bring your own wine without a corkage fee.
212 S. Federal Highway, Boca Raton
561-361-4000
Cuisine: Turkish
Cost: moderate-expensive
Hours: lunch, dinner daily
Reservations: required on weekends
Credit cards: all major
Bar: bring your own wine or beer, no corkage fee
Sound level: moderate
Outside smoking: yes
For kids: boosters, high chairs
Wheelchair accessible: yes
— John Tanasychuk
Contact dining correspondent John Tanasychuk at jtanasychuk@SunSentinel.com or write to him in care of Sun Sentinel, 200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.