http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi <b>Mangal Ocakbasi</b><br />London, 10 Arcola Street, E8 2DJ, United Kingdom en http://trustedplaces.com/uploads/placepics/trustedplaces.comaPlacePic['name']}.140.jpg http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/178rm7
Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00
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I wouldnâ¬"t be here without giving credit to World Foodie Guide, thank you Helen. Her write up on this place was measured and enough to convince me to make the pilgrimage. Stoke Newington is as a whole pretty much loveless and simply lack the vibrancy and excesses of the coalescence of Hoxton and Shoreditch. However what Stoke Newington has on the upper hand over the other two hip areas is the thriving proliferation of Turkish related restaurants, mini marts, bakeries and shops. On the restaurants alone Iâ¬"ve had delightful meals and kebabs at Istanbul Iskembecisi and Somine Restaurant. And now we have Mangal Ocakbasi Restaurant, which might well be the home to one of the finest kebabs in London.

The street where this restaurant is situated is nondescript and suitably grim, the shop-front is typically reminiscent and generic of most fast food joints found in any misunderstood inner city corners. Upon entering and finding ourselves a table, I couldnâ¬"t help but adjudge that it wasnâ¬"t really a restaurant but instead a takeaway with seats and tables. The ambience is non-existent (like the service, but at least the men in black enjoy smiling) and the dining area veering towards shabby side of things. Like all restaurants of this ilk, the sight of the multi tasking man sitting by the brazier manning, fanning, cooking and preparing the salads can only encourage the appetite even more.

The breadbasket arrived first, it was fresh and lovingly warm but I couldnâ¬"t help but gulp at the quantity of it all. An order of mixed kebabs for two was epic and huge, the accompanying mixed salad was well-dressed and equally generous in portion, probably too much IMO (I hate wasting food). All the meats were beautifully fresh, impeccably seasoned and skilfully cooked except for the Lokma. For instance the Adana Köfte is quite often bland and made from dodgy lamb mince, but the ones we had at Mangal was huge, lamby and properly spicy. The Sis kebab, lamb chops and chicken wings were all equally fantastic as well. The only let down was the Lokma Kebab (grilled deboned fillet of lamb), for it was too overcooked and as a result too chewy. Despite the glitch, I can confidently say that this place serves the finest kebabs to date.

Mangal Ocakbasi Restaurant is indeed a wondrous find, superior food at stupendously affordable prices. I canâ¬"t really imagine anyone being let down here, even the vegans will be happy with the impressive salads. Afiyet olsun! (Enjoy you meal).
]]> Fri, 28 Nov 2008 21:55:54 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/178rm71537895840 bellaphon 51.551625433504 -0.074448974904582 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/1d44z7
Review by dvstuff

Rating: 5.00
Tags:
Nice Food and at a very good price.]]> Sat, 01 Sep 2007 01:05:27 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/1d44z71569387311 dvstuff 51.551625433504 -0.074448974904582 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/1v93b8
Review by trobinson

Rating: 4.00
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Don't let Arcola Street, a dodgy looking side street put you off - Mangal is one of the best proper Turkish grill places in East London with superb kebabs grilled before you by genuine experts. Prices are low, food is terrifically fresh and it's namechecked by Moro owners Sam and Sam Clark in their book (so it must be good).]]> Thu, 26 Jul 2007 13:49:46 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/1v93b81735548425 trobinson 51.551625433504 -0.074448974904582 http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/1n13s8
Review by gilka

Rating: 4.00
Tags:
credit for Priya who showed me this place and also to Rose-Innes Associates who took me there as well...
This is a great Turkish restaurant with a big barbeque and a great selection of meat. The aubergine salad is not to miss but the humus can be improved. My best trick with this place is try to check what is showing in Arcola theatre and then combine the theatre experience with a dinner at mangal. The interior is simple+basic - it is a place to eat not for atmosphere... Price is quite cheap.]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:27:26 +0000 /review/uk/london/restaurant/1v1158s/mangal-ocakbasi/1n13s81596584823 gilka 51.551625433504 -0.074448974904582