Review on Yeni
Following on from the runaway success of their Istanbul restaurant Yeni Lokanta which opened in 2013, restaurateur Cem Bilge and chef Civan Er have opened a sibling venue simply named Yeni. It's the Turkish name for new and has taken over the former two-story premises of wine bar Vinoteca on Beak Street in Soho.
Large windows flood the dining room with lots of natural light, which is illuminated in the evening by contemporary hand-blown glass chandeliers sourced from craftsmen in Istanbul. A lovely solid onyx wall glows behind the bar, while exposed white brick walls are trimmed with floral motif Levantine tiles. Royal blue banquettes and wooden chairs are set against tables covered with sea green tiling.
Celebrated chef Cirvan who was awarded the GQ and Time Out's Chef of the Year in 2014, graduated from Leith's School of Food and Wine back in 2005. He produces interesting and varied dishes that are inventive and full of exciting flavours, showcasing the many regions of Anatolia. The menu changes daily to make the most of fresh local ingredients, so on offer there might be octopus, bulghur, sour cherries and labneh or from the land a succulent lamb shank, tamarind, spinach and porcini. To finish there's just two desserts, kadajifi covered custard fritters and smoked buffalo milk ice cream or salted caramel panna cotta with pumpkin.
Yeni has a well considered European wine list alongside cocktails infused with raki.
Cuisine
Turkish
Chef
Civan Er
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 2.30pm Mon-Fri
Dinner: 5.30 - 10.30pm Mon-Fri (5.00 - 10.30pm Sat)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card