Mr. Kebab, that's the provisional name for the new Turkish restaurant to open in the former Spicy Island early next year. With a name like that, Best Kebab must be worried about the upcoming competition.
I had a little chat with Dogan, one of the new proprietors, a Turkish consulate translator, teacher and Official Part-Time Court Interpreter (like myself a few years ago) and a very nice, affable guy. He's partnered up with an ex-Best Kebab cook and that's where he approached me to have a chat outside Best Kebab when I was having lunch there after my Island Gym workout.
Dogan had to run off soon to supervise the major renovations in progress by three companies and to meet FEHDept. for one of the several licences he needs before they can open sometime early next year.
The rent has increased a lot since the Spicy days and the lease is only for 2 years, without an extension as the landlord still plans to tear down and rebuild the entire house as soon as he can get the permissions. They have to become highly successful very quickly to recoup the huge investment of all the renovations, building a kitchen and all the licences. Running or leasing the very successful Best Kebab would have been a far better option, I think, but they couldn't agree on a price.
A Lamma-zine interview with Dogan will follow soon. I wish them all the best! After two weeks in Istanbul and a cruise around Turkey some years ago, Lamma-Por and I are looking forward to some great, authentic Turkish food beyond the standard Kebabs and Falafels, prepared by the two Turkish chefs who'll be working there.
Let's see if some of the groups of regulars sitting outside the former Spicy almost every night, enjoying a beer or two, will actually still frequent the place after the reopening.