Kazan City

Kazan City was a very variable experience. With more consistency, this would be an excellent night out.

Food

The drinks menu looked great, so I ordered one with lychee...it was not really for me. We decided to get some mezzes to share for entrees. The Kazan Mezze Starter (£12.50) consisted of:

• Hellimi (pan-fried Cyprus white cheese)
• Humus Kavurma (humus sprinkled with small chunks of lamb and pinenuts)
• Kisir (tomato and herb salad with nuts and bulgar)
• Fallafel (broad bean, chickpea and vegetable fritter)
• Imam Bayildi (stewed aubergine, tomato and pepper)
• Tabouleh (parsley salad with mint, lemon, bulgar, tomato and onion)
• Borek (filo pastry filled with feta cheese, spinach and herbs)
• Manca (baby spinach leaves with strained yoghurt and pepper)

The Seafood Mezze Platter (£13.95) consisted of:

• smoked salmon
• Deep Fried Prawn
• Deep Fried Mussel
• Tabouleh
• Drunken Kalamari (squid marinated in vodka)
• Humus
• Tarama (blended cod roe, lemon juice and olive oil)
• Kisir

In hindsight, it wasn’t a great idea to get platters to share, as you couldn’t really divide everything evenly, and the flavours got muddled up. The highlights for me were the various salads and dips…while the seafood just got cold and soggy.

One of our mains was excellent while the other was only so-so. The Ottoman's Grill (£13.95) - marinated until tender, a selection of lamb and chicken shish, fresh poussin, lamb chop, garlic sausage and kofte. Served with a choice of rice or chunky fries was nowhere near as good as it sounded…it was generous, but the meat wasn’t that tender and juicy and tasted not that different. The Hunkar Begendi (Sultan's Delight) (£12.95) - Gently stewed lamb with spice, presented on a bed of smoked, pureed aubergine on the other hand, was a revelation. The aubergine was silky smooth with that smokiness which made the dish to die for, while the lamb was melt in the mouth. I would come back for this dish alone.

Rating - 6.5

Atmosphere

The place was packed to the rafters, with City workers it seemed, and very noisy. We got one of the prime spots though, a banquette in the corner and we were seated very comfortably. Some of the seats in the middle of the packed dining room probably won’t be as great. The décor looks great, if a bit ikea like, with purple the dominant colour.

Rating - 2

Service

The service flared as well as the food. We were met with warm and efficient, yet others got our order wrong and forgot the drink order. They didn’t bring the chips with the ottoman grill, and after we asked, they only delivered one serving even though two people ordered. One waiter actually said to us that it was her first day and she couldn’t take orders….so what could she do then? One waiter was really ditzy, but when we were leaving, everything went smoothly, and about 3 people thanked us on our way out…I am hoping the hiccups were all caused by new or inexperienced wait staff and that the service becomes more consistent.

Rating - 2

C-factor

Very cheap for a night out in the city, and they don’t skimp on their portions.

Rating - 1.5

Brownie Points - 11.5

Info

34-36 Houndsditch
London
EC3A 7DB
Phone +44 (0) 20 7626 2222
Website