Turkish restaurant to open in Alnwick

Mezze will be opening its doors on Wednesday (January 20) at the former site of Varanda, on Clayport Street, and will offer diners a selection of classic barbecue grills and other popular Turkish dishes.

"Mezze offers something completely different to the other restaurants in Alnwick," said Dilman Abdullah, who is the restaurant owner and has previously run The Med, on Westgate Road in Newcastle.

"A lot of work has gone into revamping the venue and putting together a great menu, so we’re really excited to see it all coming together. We hope people will come along and help us to celebrate the opening."

Guests at the restaurant will be able to choose from a wide range of cold starters, such as peppers, potatoes and aubergine fried in olive oil and served with tomato and garlic sauce; crushed bulgar wheat with chopped onions, celery, peppers, tomato and walnuts dressed in olive oil; and vine leaves stuffed with rice, pine kernels, onions, sultanas and a blend of herbs.

There will also be a number of hot starters served at the restaurants including deep-fried filo pastry filled with feta cheese and diced lamb's liver lightly coated in flour and paprika, fried and served with onions.

The menu also offers diners a whole host of main courses, including traditional Turkish barbecue dishes such as shish kebab, lamb cutlets marinated with herbs and chargrilled, mixed grill and chargrilled chicken wings. All of the menu's barbecue dishes are served with rice, salad and chilli.

There is also a selection of other main dishes including moussaka, Kleftiko – a slow-cooked lamb shank served with rice, chargrilled chicken breast filled with cheddar, onion and peppers served in a creamy sauce and tender lamb shoulder served with special sauce and rice.

Prices start from £2.95 for a starter and from £7.95 for a main course.

In November, we reviewed what was said to be 'Northumberland's first authentic Turkish restaurant' - Ephesus in Morpeth. Read what we thought here.