From the heart of Turkey to Palm Jumeirah
Hop on a Turkilicious food tasting journey with Truetotaste
Let’s talk about a variety of exquisite creations from O’Doner highlighting their core competencies of freshness, healthy ingredients and gourmet preparations along with flavor, presentation and menu diversity. Step aside shawarma, it’s time to start the Döner revolution!
We start the journey with Turkish delights. Served as an aperitif, it works well to clear your palate and prepare your taste buds for the deliciousness that lies ahead. These brought back sweet memories of Istanbul markets where shopkeepers are always ready with a ‘try before you buy’ variety of Turkish delights, almost magically inviting you to shop for dozens of boxes to take back home. O’Doner sticks to its authentic Turkish hospitality which is reflected in the traditional oxidized-golden holder. P.S. The rose flavored one is my favorite!
Salads just make every meal look so much more colorful. The Rocca salad pictured here is a picturesque combination of fresh rocca leaves coated in the finest balsamic vinegar, very generously topped with shaved parmesan and dotted with cherry tomatoes. More interesting is the authentic wooden bowls the salads are served in. O’Doner offers a variety of healthy gourmet salads made with the freshest ingredients, from the regional veal and chicken döner salad, to the signature Ezme salad and even the classic Caesar salad. One portion should suffice as a side for up to four diners.
The signature Ezme salad from O’Doner perfectly combines grilled tomatoes, onions and peppers in a pastey mix which is beautifully seasoned with spices and pomegranate. Served with a soft and fluffy portion of ‘hot-off-the-oven’ pita bread, this salad/side is a must try.
Crunchy on the outside, super moist on the inside, these falafels instantly reminded me of the moong dal wadas my mom used to make. Honestly, I stay away from falafels because they are always so dry and difficult to swallow, but the O’Doner falafels brought in a deliciously refreshing change. Dotted with sesame seeds, they are served with pickles, tomatoes and a portion of freshly baked pita. And don’t forget the special tahini! Highlighting a sweet twist to your regular tahini, this sauce is infused with pomegranate seeds that give it creamy tangy taste.
Time to take a bite off the Turkish pizza. The vegetarian Sebzeli Pide made in the classic boat shape is topped with zucchini, tomato, eggplant and red capsicum. The best part however, is the Kashkaval base that goes beyond the regular mozzarella to bring you true Turkish flavors in every cheesy bite. The bread as always is baked fresh.in their Italian oven, guaranteeing a wonderfully tender finish.
Say hello to the absolutely good stuff! The one meter long #döner at O’Doner took us all by a surprise, albeit a delicious one. Filled with succulent tender pieces of organic farm fed flavorful and juicy chicken breast, this meter long delight was a combination of the classic O’ropean döner with veggies, chili salsa, dill aioli & herb cocktail sauce as well as their signature O’granate döner with veggies, walnut pomegranate, feta & chili salsa sauce. Just one piece of this creation is enough for a satisfying fill. But the meter long sandwich definitely makes a great choice for parties.
Moving over to O’Doner’s delectable version of the all time favorite Turkish dish – Iskender Döner. This specialty creation features tender and succulent mountain grass fed meat that is marinated in a yummilicious tomato butter sauce and served over freshly baked bread with yogurt on the side. If beef is not your game, they have a chicken version too which is equally delicious. The chicken adds its own unique flavor to the mix.
Next come the desserts.
Mr. Karim graciously holds the drool-worthy plate of freshly made Antep Baklava, explaining its authenticity and the magic it creates when all the ingredients come together. Made with pastry and rich pistachios, the Baklava is served with Maras vanilla ice cream sandwiched in between the layers. This sweet and nutty combination instantly takes you to dessert heaven!
Another famous favorite of Turkish cuisine, the Ottoman Kunefe is a true delight! The crunchy golden brown pastry is filled with sweet melting cheese and topped with a scoop of their classic Maras vanilla ice cream. Be sure to have a knife and fork at your disposal to slice this stringy beauty into a satisfying bite sized piece. What’s more, it’s served on their signature wooden plate carved with the words O’Döner kunefe.
Who wouldn’t fancy a sip from this artistic creation. The famous Turkish tea is served with authentic Ottoman hospitality at O’Doner. The only hiccup is the lack of sugar cubes for sweetening, which would make the whole experience even more delightful. They did have sachet sugars though, so you still get to mellow down its strong taste.
Another specialty, the Turkish coffee is a pleasure from the moment it arrives. Appealing to the eye, it features a porcelain cup placed inside an oxidized copper cup holder with an elegant dome lid. Moving on to appeal the olfactory senses, the mesmerising aroma fills you up with flavor even before you take a sip. Finally settling on the taste buds, the Turkish blend offers a strong bittersweet sapor that stays with you much after you have relished the brew. It is interestingly served with a piece of Turkish delight. Try it without any sweeteners for experiencing the actual flavors.
Ending the Turkish culinary journey on a sweet note with Turkish Dondurma. Served yet again in a very traditional style, it features oxidized copper bowls placed on a copper plate and filled with the finest quality Maras Ice Cream. This bit truly completes the holistic authentic Turkish hospitality experience at O’Doner. The stretchy ice cream is available in multiple flavors including the likes of the classic Vanilla to the more regional Pistachio and Mastek as well as experimental Melon and Mulberry. Go out with a group and try out all the flavors. You won’t be disappointed!
