
Meze was enjoyed by the ancient kings in Turkey, who used to eat the dishes with their harem during the balmy Turkish evenings. Today meze is still composed of many small dishes made from fresh vegetables, cheese, fish and meat.
Traditionally, meze makes up a full meal, although you can have it as 'appetisers' as well. They are often served with drink; especially raki. Whatever you choose, at 196 Meze Bar, you get the genuine article - from people who really know the dish - along with the full range of Turkish cuisine in intimate and cosy surroundings (the whole restaurant seats just 26).
196 Meze Bar was awarded prizes for Best Mediterranean and Best place for Family Eating Out in the Eating & Drinking Awards 2008!
The restaurant was opened in 2006 by Cenker Ucan, whose family have set up and ran some of Turkey's finest meze bars. His grandather owned several in Istanbul as did his father who, at his peak, ran 13 restaurants; 6 of which were under the Eminonu Bridge in Golden Horn, Istanbul - a very famous area. Cenker grew up helping to run his father's restaurants and came here in 1991 where he trained at Catering College. He has worked at The Hilton, Westbury and China House in London.
At 196 Meze Bar, the chef is from Turkey and his two assistants are from the Black Sea and Istanbul. Together they prepare the meze and fish dishes using using fresh ingredients made from scratch. The meat is butchered at the shop next door. Daily deliveries bring the best vegetables and fish, including fresh anchovies unique to 196 Meze Bar (the only place in Cambridge serving them), and all of the food offered is locally sourced. Try the anchovy rice or Hamsili Pilau as it is known - one of the featured dishes.
Food is served informally in a friendly atmosphere with Turkish and Mediterranean background music.
You're welcome to come for light snacks as well as full meals. The restaurant does fresh soup daily served with Turkish salad and pitta bread for only £2.75. Pop in just for soup or a coffee anytime. 196 Meze Bar is allergy and vegetarian conscious. Special diets - Crohns, colitis, nut allergies and diabetes - are all catered for. Turkish wines are available including Boluca and Medoc as well as Bordeaux and Chenic Blanc, Champagne is also served as well as real Italian coffee, cappucino, espresso and more.
You can book the whole place with a minimum of 20 persons. Menus can be prepared especially for large parties.
Come by soon to enjoy authentic Turkish food and great, friendly service!
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