Jess Gray indulges all her senses at Tas Firin.
Tas Firin is a traditional Turkish restaurant on Bethnal Green Road. From the street it does not look particularly thrilling or inviting. But the queue forming outside suggests there’s more to it than first meets the eye.
From the moment you enter, Tas Firin caters for all your senses: there is the sight and smell of the open grill, the sound of sizzling meat mixed with the buzz of happy diners, and the lighting is so warm and friendly you can almost touch it.
If there are more than two of you and it’s a weekend, expect to have to wait a while for a table. But as soon as you sit down, you will be offered complimentary salad and dips whilst you order. The menu is an array of traditional Turkish dishes such as kebabs and falafel.
Last time I went with a friend, we shared a platter for two containing chicken, lamb and kidney, two different kinds of rice, piles of flat bread, grilled tomato and mushrooms.
The meat was cooked perfectly, not too dry and not too rare. The seasoning was spot on, and this goes for the rice and mushrooms, too.
Although I am usually the talkative one, when our food arrived both sides of our table fell strangely silent: it was that good. And the portions were enormous. We are both blessed with a healthy appetite, but Tas Firin’s grand plate all but defeated us. The bill, however, was not so imposing: £29 for two including drinks with the meal, and apple tea at the end.
Well worth rounding out a trip to Bethnal Green with a visit to Tas Firin.