Tantalizing tastes of Turkey at Kumkapi

Kumkapi Restaurant and Lounge
1230 Broadway
Hewlett
(516) 812-3920
www.kumkapirestaurant.com

Recommendations:
Appetizer Sampler
Shepherd Salad
Fried Calamari
Grilled Calamari
Grilled Octopus
Whole Branzini
Shrimp Casserole
Apple Pastry
Konefe

Kudos to Mike Sarac for his newest endeavor. Named after his hometown, which is located on the seaside of Istanbul, Kumkapi Restaurant shines above its predecessors.

Starting at a young age, Sarac learned his culinary skills in Turkey before coming to the United States in 1986. He settled in California, where he opened numerous restaurants. In 2001, he moved to Long Island, and over the years he opened Istanbul Kebab House in Lynbrook, Mediterranean Kitchen in Bellmore, Black Sea in Oceanside and Surf & Turf in Merrick. Most recently, he took over the site that formerly housed Scarcella's, and brought the tastes of Turkey to Hewlett.

Decor is lovely, with rich wood trim, peach walls and colorful artwork abound. Seating can be at a booth or table. Servers are friendly and polished. And, if you're there between 8 and 9 p.m., a belly dancing show will charm you any Friday evening.

Crisp Turkish bread arrives freshly baked, with a bowl of creamy lima bean dip. The appetizer sampler will give you a cross section of their wonderful Mediterranean-style spreads. Scoops of hummus, babaganoush, eggplant delight and ezsme salad are attractively garnished with fresh greens. Shepherd salad is a refreshing option — a well-dressed dicing of cucumbers, red onions and tomatoes, sprinkled with parsley and dill.

The town of Kumkapi is famous for its seafood, and while the meats and poultry are all good choices, this restaurant should be too. Fried calamari with tartar sauce was light and tender, as was the grilled version. Dill-flecked char-grilled octopus on a bed of red onions and tomatoes was amazing in flavor; it was glossed with olive oil and vinegar.