Mithras in Croydon will delight those keen on traditional Turkish fayre
To say I was gutted when the owners of my favourite Turkish restaurant did a midnight flit three years ago is no exaggeration.
During the previous five years, they’d threatened to pull the plug, only for friends and relatives to arrive, roll up their sleeves and get stuck in.
Service continued and we would once again dine happily, safe in the warm glow of this refuge.
The food was simply divine and the order of the day when my family fancied grilled meats.
We live a stone’s throw from where Cappadocia once stood in Norbury.
It was our go-to place and our loyalty, unwavering so there was huge disappointment when the owners disappeared into thin air.
Though, I’m sure they had their reasons.
We’ve tried other Turkish restaurants, most of which have been good, but none have been the same.
That is until we found our way to Mithras in East Croydon last Friday night.
Hot off the train from a day trip, we were tired and starving and couldn’t wait until reaching home to eat.
At only 5.30pm, Mithras was full, with families enjoying an early dinner.
This is a family-run restaurant, with all the warmth extended to diners.
They were short-staffed and it took a little while for menus to be forthcoming and drinks orders to be taken.
I confess to nervousness that this would set the tone for the whole experience, but I was wrong.
I decided to chance my arm with the cocktail list that the after-work crowd opposite appeared to be cracking through and sampled a thoroughly decent margarita.
Our food arrived within 20 minutes of us ordering, which was pretty good for dishes cooked from scratch.
Our usual order of chicken shish and adana and lamb shish combo was a magnificent replica of our old local.
For us, this was paradise found. The flavours were exactly the same, as was the decoration and presentation.
Even the bread and chilli sauce measured up and took us right back to the old place. All mains come with long grain rice and salad.
We also shared halloumi and steak cut fries.
The menu is familiar, comforting and stable. Nothing new to see here and don’t expect any fancy additions.
Mithras will delight those keen on traditional Turkish fayre – houmous, cold and hot mezze starters and proper, dare I say healthy, kebabs, given the treatment of the ocakbasi grill.
On a stretch of road, with few dining opportunities available, outside of Boxpark, Mithras puts East Croydon back on the food map.
Mithras, Unit 11-12, Suffolk House, George Street, Croydon CR0 1PE.
This month, The Store in Croydon’s summer set menu means you can feast on two courses for ÂŁ24 or three for ÂŁ29, every Thursday – Saturday evening.
That’s pretty cost of living crisis price-busting.
Why not start with KFC, no, not that one but Korean Fried Cauliflower.
It tastes even better than it sounds. Other starters include grilled prawns with chimichurri and glazed chilli and burrata.
Sticking with the classics, steak frites must surely be the standout popular dish and serving a bavette cut keeps it light and summery.
Sides are not included but as a treat truffle and Parmesan fries or wasabi mash are a must.
The menu is available Thursday to Sunday, with the added bonus of post-dinner boogie on Saturday nights, when DJ Matt takes to the decks.
For more details, go to www.thestorecroydon.com
Pictured: Fantastic food at Mithras – Pictures: Bill Lacy
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