What the heck is a nazarlik? Walk into this homey storefront on Belmont and you'll quickly discover that the restaurant's namesake belongs to the various blue-eyed beads that cover the powder-blue walls. Ubiquitous in Turkish culture, these beads promise good luck to the people who own them and the places they adorn. With the outstanding, fresh quality of the food, the central location and cheery service, however, this joint won't need the nazarliks' luck to aid in its success.
The somewhat short menu zeroes in on Turkish favorites like the Shepherds Salad, a delightfully light combination of chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onions and green bell peppers mixed with dill and parsley and tossed with olive oil and red wine vinegar ($3.99). The thin crust lahmacun, a generously sized homemade Turkish "pizza," is covered with spicy minced meat and vegetables and served with baba ghanoush for your dipping convenience. At only $3.45, it's a steal. Lamb and chicken sandwiches and kebab dinners make up the other half of the menu, on which nothing costs more than $11.95.
The kitchen and the oven, where much of the bread is baked fresh daily, take up most of the space in the restaurant, so don't be surprised by the small amount of tables. If you do stay long enough, though, you'll start to feel like part of the family. Owners Ahmet and Zeliha Aksoy, who came to the States from the city of Gaziantep in southeastern Turkey eight years ago, go the extra mile to make you comfortable during your wait, which might be a little long. All the food is made fresh and by hand, so call ahead if you're extra hungry and just can't wait. Otherwise, snag a table and don't mind the eyes.
Centerstage Reviewer: Alicia Eler
