Just in case you haven’t noticed, shish kebab stands, furiously whirling dancers, and Turkish rug and kilim weaving demos have taken over Daley Plaza this week. While Turkish Fest only lasts ’til Saturday, you can get a taste of this ancient land year-round at these spots.
Arkadash Cafe
Arkadash, which means “friends” in Turkish, offers a menu stocked with specialties such as lahmacun, a Turkish-style pizza with ground lamb, onions, tomatoes and Turkish spices–and cooks roll and bake the dough to order here ($9.75). Other options include the pasha special, baby lamb chops sauteed with Turkish-spiced tomato sauce, tomatoes and green peppers ($17.75). Finish your meal with a hookah and enjoy your smoke with a glass of raki–anise-spiked Turkish brandy similar to ouzo ($6). On the weekends, expect belly dancers, disco lights and dancing with live Turkish music provided by multitalented owner Yagmur Sahutoglu. The place is jammed on Saturdays, so make a reservation to avoid a wait. 5721 N. Clark St. 773-506-2233.
Turquoise
This new eatery is decidedly modern with nary a pillow or Turkish tapestry in sight. Aside from a smattering of color on the sign, the decor isn’t heavy on the turquoise–instead, owners selected the name for the pronunciation (turk-oiz, get it?). The menu features appetizers such as sogurme, smoked chunks of eggplant with yogurt, garlic and walnuts toasted in crushed red pepper ($5.95). Entree choices include the lamb begendi; the meat is slow-simmered with onions, cherry tomatoes and banana peppers, and served over eggplant puree ($16.95). Or go for the salt-crusted sea bass–the flaky fish is removed from the steaming crust tableside ($18.95). 4147 W. Roscoe St. 773-549-3523.
Turkish Cuisine & Bakery
Chef-partner Engin Cardak rolls his own phyllo dough–the decadent, honey-drenched baklava alone is worth the trip. More specialties include the iskender kebab, layers of Turkish fried bread, yogurt sauce, peppered pressed lamb and beef, and tomato sauce served on a sizzling hot plate ($11.50). Or try one of the fresh-baked pides (pielike stuffed breads), like the Mediterranean sausage and mozzarella ($9). Friday and Saturday nights feature live Turkish music and belly dancers. Plus, it’s BYOB. 5605 N. Clark St. 773-878-8930.
A La Turka
One of the most romantic eateries around, this spot features ornate wall tapestries, dim lights, subtle Turkish background music and cozy low-slung tables with giant stuffed floor-pillow seating. Fuel the romance with the sharable karisik izgara mixed-grill platter, with lamb and chicken shish kebabs; adana kebab (a grilled spicy ground beef and lamb sausage); kofta kabob (char-broiled ground beef and lamb patties); and the gyrolike doner kebab ($21.95). On weekends, call ahead to reserve one of the coveted low tables. 3134 N. Lincoln Ave. 773-935-6101.
Topkapi
Name sound familiar? Topkapi (taupe-kuh-puh) is one of the most famous and ornate palaces in Istanbul. But it might also sound familiar because Lincoln Park’s Topkapi was one of the first Turkish restaurants in Chicago; the restaurant opened in 1964 and closed its doors in 1980. Owner Hakki Uzgun came out of retirement last year to reopen his restaurant as a “hobby.” The dining room is upscale, with white tablecloths, fresh flowers and a few Ottoman accents, but nothing on the menu is priced more than $16.50. Try the sultan’s delight, juicy marinated lamb chunks served over eggplant and cheese puree ($10.50), or the kilic sis, a marinated swordfish skewer broiled with tomatoes, onions and peppers ($15.50). 2544 W. Peterson Ave. 773-274-9970.
Turkish Festival
10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily through Saturday. Free.
Daley Plaza, 50 W. Washington St.
