by April S.

I am only giving this place one star, but I wouldn't know about the food considering they didn't even let us in the door.My boyfriend and I were strolling down Lincoln early evening (around 6pm) for dinner. We decided to stop in here. They asked if we had reservations, to which we replied no. So the host sent us upstairs (even though there were only 2 taken tables downstairs). When we got upstairs, the bartender asked what we wanted. When we told him we were there for dinner, he said we could only have appetizers upstairs. What?! So basically, they weren't going to serve us b/c we didn't have reservations. Nice.We went down the street for dinner, but on our way back we saw two girls leave the place, essentially talking about how the same thing had happened to them. This place is no where near upscale enough to be turning people away at the door.

by George J.

Good food.  Come here very hungry because you will definitely fill up on all the foods there.  I'd try the Hooka (sp?) too and I guarantee you'll walk out feeling tired from food and a little tipsy from drinks and the smokes.  I came here with friends and had a fantastic time.  What more could you want.....

by Laura S.

A La Turka is a really fun place to bring a large group. We've gone there a couple of times for friends' birthdays, and it's a perfect location to pack in a lot of people. They have a menu specifically for large parties, so you don't have to worry about that "what did you order, how much do we owe" thing. Everyone owes the same (minus drinks, about $20). Weekend nights at 9, they have belly dancers come out, and they are pretty entertaining (if not a little cheesy). You can get up and dance with them, and the "birthday person" is ecouraged to dance. They also have raffles every night for free meals, and every time I've gone, someone in our party has won something. They also have hookahs, which is fun after all the Turkish wine you drink during your meal! I definitely think if you went with only a couple people (or on a date or something), you would not have such a great time. But for birthday parties or other celebrations, A La Turka is a great option.

by Laura I.

I was sorely disappointed when going here this weekend.  I used to love this place and was obsessed with their musakka.  However, they are now under new management with a new chef.  The walls have been stripped of the normal festive Turkish decor and the menu prices have inflated, while the portion sizes seem to have deflated.  Not to mention, the boasting flavors have diminished from their dishes.  I was very saddened by my experience with this place under the new management and even more saddened by the new chef, who seems only mediocre at best.  I long for the old chef with the old recipes, as that is where this place's strength was.

by danielle g.

A La Turka... A great place all-around!  I am from Atlanta, and was in Chicago visiting my cousin.  We had a large group (about 20 or so) come in for dinner.  Last minute, there were a bunch of people added to our party, but Management accommodated us with no problem.The environment was buzzing, the belly-dancers were lively and fun, and the service was fairly good, considering how packed the place was!  I thought the food was quite good... Loved the lamb!  They also did a raffle, which got the crowd involved.All in all, lots of smiles at the table that night... Definitely worth a visit!  Oh, and if you have time afterwards (or, as a separate trip) head upstairs to the Hookah Lounge.

by Andy G.

I'd been to A La Turka years ago, and had kind of put it out of my mind for a while, until returning last night with a visiting friend from Iowa.  I had a discount certificate that was only good Sun-Thurs, so figured last night was as good as any for Turkish.  Overall, A La Turka is a fun atmosphere, albeit much more fun on weekends.  For an early dinner on a Sunday evening, the place was pretty empty.  Save for the one other table with two screaming toddlers.  The atmosphere is much more "authentic" than most other Turkish/Mediterranean/Middle Eastern restaurants I've visited.  While I've never visited Turkey, the interior of the restaurant leads me to believe that it is what a Turkish restaurant in Istanbul might look like. As for the service and food, they were both exceptionally average.  Sophia, our waitress, was prompt and friendly, yet not around much for as empty as the place was.  The food continues to be a decent value, although Fattoush on Halsted still can't be beat in my book for price, food and service.  The eggplant dip ( baba ganoush) was very smoky - a little different from any BBG that I've had.  It was the most BBG that I've ever been served at a restaurant, though.As for the entrees, everyone was pleased with their selections, although there was nothing to write home about.  The Sultan's Wrap that I had was very tasty, but a little rich for dinner.  Overall, I'd probably stick to this as a fun group experience on the weekends when the belly dancers perform and go for the entertainment not the food.

by Matt N.

Some of the best humus I have had in chicago, perfectly spiced and the pita was warm.  Lucky for us we were there for an early dinner because if you try and get in on a weekend after 7, forget about it.  Probably because of the live belly dancing!  The lamb I had was a bit on the dry side but I also tried some of the chicken which was very good.  After dinner we hung out in the smokey lounge upstairs (fully equipped with hookahs) and waited for the dancing to start downstairs (usually around 9p).  It gets pretty loud in the dining area after that so don't plan on having a real intimate conversation.  I would suggest getting there at 8 for dinner and hanging out at the table after wards.  Most of the servers appeared to be native Turks (or Turkey adjacent) so don't expect American like service, but go for the food and atmosphere (good for large groups too).

by Kevin A.

A LA MEDIOCRA  The environment is fun, the belly dancing is entertaining, and the weekend raffle is an interesting idea.  Unfortunately, the food just doesn't make the cut.  The one exception is that they have excellent hummus (you have to ask for pita bread).  WARNING: Do not eat here if you plan on hitting the bars later.  Turkish food + alcohol = belching that will GUARANTEE that you go home alone.

by Kristen W.

This place was reviewed well on Check Please so we figured it was not to be missed.  Unfortunately, the food here makes A La Turka a 'please pass by'.  While the interior is a very well done version of a Mediterranean hookah lounge, the food just doesn't match up.We ordered the special (maybe this was a bad idea?) that consisted of chicken gyro meat, cucumber sauce, rice, bread and baklava tea for dessert.   The chicken had very little taste and was not of very high quality, the rice was pretty basic, but the bread was nice.  The baklava was a positive note on which to end the meal, however how does one make a bad baklava?In all, I can't recommend A La Turka.  Unless the food is vastly improved, i wouldn't waste my time.

by Kim W.

I had my first experience at A La Turka last week with a few friends.  I can totally see how it has the great rating.  Not just because of everyone else's praise, but by the way we were treated when we arrived.It was snowy and crappy out.  We walked in and were the only ones in the entire restaurant (it was about 7pm).  We were immediately warmly greeted and given a table (of our choice *lol* we had the pick of the place).  Right away our waiter took our drink orders and got them going for us before the appetizers were placed.  I wish I had the name of the server because he was so warm and sincere that it just left a really great impression on me.For appetizers we had the vegan sampler platter.  It consisted of some stuffed grape leaves, a titziki like dip, hummus, tabouli and  greek olives.  At first I had asked for warm pita to go with it, since to me it felt like a plate I'd had at the Greek Island, however the server explained that they didn't have pita's but they made their bread fresh daily and it's quite a favorite of the regulars.  The bread didn't disappoint.  I probably could have made a meal from the bread and various dips.  One in particular had eggplant in it and I LOVE eggplant.  It was fantastic; slightly sweet, not to watery, just perfect.For Entre's I had the Lamb Special (marinated and delicately seasoned lamb, sauted with scallions, white onions, portobello mushrooms, and tomatoes. Seasoned in a special house spice and topped with garlic yogurt.   After my trip to Demera the week before, I was hoping that they wouldn't be skimpy with the lamb.  They weren't.  There were lots of big hunks of super tender marinated lamb.  The sauce was heaven.  I could have made another meal out of bread and that sauce.  I can't recall what the other couple had ordered.  I was so wrapped up in my meal, not to mention nibbling off my BF's plate.  He had the the beef stew.  Again the meat was tender and well seasoned.  It was packed with veggies and had a kick to it.  Portions were big but not insane.  I actually like it that way.  There was enough to take some home, but I wouldn't be eating it for a week.Our server boxed up our leftovers and thanked us so much for coming in on a cold and snowy night.  The pleasure was all ours; we'll definitely be back again.

by Jason M.

My observations....Myself and the person I went here with have both worked at servers...so we are more understanding than the average asshole that goes out to eat.  The guy greets us right away, and then ask what we want...told him to come back after a few minutes.  He comes back and we make a Appetizer and drink order...we need more time for the dinner order....freaking guy doesn't come back for at least 30min.  Luckily I understand that going out to eat isn't all about getting your food right away, so for me it was an inconvenience...but I'm sure to you folk out there you would probably be ready to wage war over your dining experience.It seems that the only items that don't involve meat are eggplant entrees...so I guess your options are either Cows or Eggplants...Eggplants won of course (that's like picking the fat kid or the nerd for your 4th grade pick up basketball game)  Humus...yummyI'm a little socially awkward.  I tend to avoid places that have guitar players come to your table and play.  So when I walked in and saw those belly dancers I got a little nervous.  What are you supposed to do when a lady walks up to you while your gnawing on some eggplant?  Do I stare?  Ignore?   Continue on with your conversation? I don't understand...The owner seems like a funny dude...if he didn't own that place I bet he would be a used car salesmanI could see how someone would like this place...just wasn't my cup of tea

by Tera D.

A La Turka was exactly what I expected it to be.  I went on a double date, on a Saturday night.  We had reservations for 8pm, although I'm not sure how necessary they were, as the place wasn't packed.  We did get one of the cool tables in the front window where you sit on pillows.  Since none of us were frequent Turkish diners, we decided to select a bunch of appetizers and just share.  We started with the hummus, which I was unamused by.  Maybe I'm just used to garlicky hummus, because this one seemed somewhat plain.  Then we got the hot platter, which I would definitely recommend.  The filo dough rolls were sooo yummy, and I was a big fan of the Turkish pizza.  The stuffed artichoke and the portabello mushrooms were weird to me - prepared like an Italian dish, but not as flavorful as the typical Italian versions.We also got a bottle of the Turkish red wine, which I really liked.  Very smooth and mild for a red wine.  All of their wines are $30 or less for the bottle, which is pretty amazing!As for the belly dancing, it would have been a lot cooler if the real belly dancer was the only one up there - but instead the kind of gross women at the table next to us decided to get up and try to be sexy and dance for like the whole time we were there.  I guess they encourage this, but I was not a fan.

by Jenni I.

What a great experience we had at this place!!The belly dancers were entertaining and they do try and make you dance, but I politely said "no" and that was all it took to be left alone to eat my meal.  We opted for the sit-on-the floor experience, which was awesome after stuffing ourselves full of yummy food.We started out with the warm appetizer platter containing zuchini pancakes, filo dough rolls stuffed with feta cheese and mini turkish pizzas.  We thought this was a great sampler platter and everything was very good.hubby had the lamb shank and I had something called ala chicken, which was cubed chicken in a slightly spicy tomatoish sauce.  Next time I would get the lamb shank because it was so tender it was falling off the bone and delicious!They have a variety of Turkish coffees and teas to have with baklava for dessert - but the one dissapointment was that the hooka bar upstairs has been closed due to city ordinances.  So no hooka for you!

by Dhalia C.

Two words: SULTAN'S SPECIAL! It's amazing!! I love the bread they serve with your meal and I just use it to sop up the delicious goodness that is this meal!!

by David R.

I went here twice over the winter, enjoying both visits though they were very different.The first was on a snowy Friday night with an octet for our friend's birthday.  We were one of three birthday groups there, and the folks at A La Turka took very good care of us.  I recall the food being very good.  I had a seafood special, and we tried several tasty appetizers, including the Turkish pizza and the mousaka.  They put on quite a show here on Friday nights--belly dancing, a free raffle, and loads of genuine enthusiasm from the host (owner?).  They can't fake this sort of exuberance, which added greatly to our enjoyment of the evening.  Our socially inept birthday friend even got up to dance with the belly dancer (although we had to explain to him that it was not appropriate to tuck dollar bills into the waistband of her skirt).  Too bad he hurt his knee sitting back down at the table, but that's typical for him, as he is a terminally clumsy gimp (he first hurt the same knee several years ago playing...whiffle ball).  We stayed there for several hours but they never rushed or ignored us.  Good times.I visited two months later with a date on a Thursday evening.  We came here after finding that nearby Nazarlik was mysteriously closed for several days.  While far from empty, the crowd was thin, lending the dark room a quiet and intimate air.  The service was again satisfying, but I found my entree merely mediocre this time.  I did have a very good Turkish wine.

by Vinifer P.

Average food, awesome entertainment, resonably priced. When those belly dancers come out with their veils, body glitter and girating hips, it really makes you want to get up there and boogie with them! I don't smoke! The only thing I smoke are hams! So for me, their upstairs hookah lounge has no appeal. However, for those who love hookahs, you'll love it! They have many fruity flavored tobaccos to try at a resonable price.

by Laura L.

I have mixed feelings about the place. It is a tad pricey, for the amount of food that you get. The food is a bit above average. The atmosphere is great. There is belly dancing and comfortable "couch" tables. The service is nice and the people who work there are very friendly. Falafel is great but they don't give you much .

by Albert K.

Came here with a friend to check it out, with a http://Restaurant.com coupon. (Lay off, I'm cheap!)  We came right when it opened around 5PM on a Sunday and it was startlingly empty. We figured it probably picks up later, with belly dancers and such.Having read Yelp reviews beforehand, we ordered the chicken asparagus and eggplant dip for appetizers.  Chicken asparagus was good, but seemed like your standard American fare.  The eggplant dip and bread was very good, but I was an eggplant dip virgin, so I have nothing to compare it to.  But I would go back solely for that.We ordered the lamb shank and kabobs for entrees.  Both were decent overall, but not spectacularly flavorful. Also had a red wine suggested by our waiter, which we liked a lot (both the waiter and the wine, ha!).  Don't remember the name (of the wine), but we believe it was the second cheapest one on the menu.Service was excellent, probably due to the restaurant being empty. But they were very attentive and nice. Decor was unique and interesting, with a mix of cheezy fake fires, which I actually enjoyed. =)Overall, pretty good, but I'll have to check it out later in the evening and try some other dishes.PS:  If you want free United Mileage Plus miles when you dine here, sign up for Mileage Plus Dining:  http://mpdining.reward...A few miles here and there never hurt anybody.  =)

by Carol J.

I dig Ala Turka for that crazy casbah vibe.  Great cous cous and relatively decent menu.  I had some lamb dish that was spectacular and the companion had something a little crazy that I can't recall.....and why can't I recall it?  Because I was enjoying the cocktails and the atmosphere and was in my own little world dreaming of Istanbul and the Blue Mosque.Decent service and really simple, traditional Mediterranian food served in a dark, sexy  atmosphere.  The only thing missing was the belly dancer!

by doris d.

No comprendo. I thought this place was supposed to be awesome?? The belly dancers put on a show, which was great, but pretty much everything was done just to distract us from what was actually on the table. I'm half Armenian and know dolmades when I see them. Those were not dolmades. And the pizza with lamb?? eeehhh... So far, Pita Inn is the best.

by Todor K.

When you visit A La Turka Turkish Kitchen make sure to check for the daily specials which run about $9. They have a full liquor bar and play Turkish music. The staff is friendly and helpful. They recommended the baklava and I am glad I listened and ordered these 4 pieces of sweet flaky nutty treats. To make the experience that much better I also ordered the Turkish tea which is served in a clear glass and has a rich flavor and nice aroma with a slightly bitter taste, but in a good way. On weekends you may want to make reservations since it gets busy evenings.Todor Krecuhttp://hotfortea.yelp.com

by Joseph D.

This place is fantastic as far as the food and the atmosphere. The option to sit on the floor/comfortable pillows or a regular pillow is unique and the lay out looks great. The decor and the whole ambience is fantastic. The fact that the restaurant is typically empty or slow is a mystery to me, but it seems they don't advertise much or go out of their way to promote themselves. The one drawback was the fact that we were charged on a Friday night for the belly dancer who came out to perform later in the evening. The dancing was entertaining and reaffirmed the unique experience that is A La Turka, but it left a sour taste in our mouth to have been charged a couple bucks a person when not told beforehand about it. A few in our party asked about it and they gladly took it off; not a big deal but they should be more on top of communication with their customers/market, etc. The food is great though; had the babaganoush and it's as good as I've had.

by Dani B.

Over the years, my friends and I have frequented this Turkish restaurant as we have all enjoyed the cuisine as well as the entertainment and, at least on Saturday nights, the festive atmosphere.  We have seen quite a few bellydancers, of all levels of talent, but usually all very entertaining, and it is always fun to get up participate in the show a little.  Recently, five of us stopped by to celebrate a birthday and were surprised by the change in decor-and, as we soon found out, ownership and chef!  Our hesitation soon abated as we discovered the food was even better than before! The restaurant is still cozy and charming, but a little more subdued and tasteful.  Our waitress was adorable, and the hostess was sweet and hospitable.  I still don't know which dish I liked the best, everything from the calamari to the turkish ravioli was amazing, and the homemade bread alone was well-worth ditching the low carb diet...well, we burned off some of it dancing with the bellydancer!!! I have seen her many times over the years and am glad she stayed on with the new owner. It's nice to see a dancer who can both dance well and interact appropriately with the audience!  They still do a raffle, and the whole place really got into the show.  The only thing amiss is the lack of hookahs (*sniff*), but that is a problem that plagues our fair city...in short;  A La Turka is still one of my favorite restaurants in town, even better than before!!

by Allie B.

This place truly is as good as it gets. It is reasonably priced, the decor is fantastic, and they have belly dancers!! What's not to love??There are even special tables at the front that are right in the window facing Lincoln (hello, people watching). You sit/lounge on comfy pillows, and it is worth hanging out for hours!This would be a very fun place for a party, but it is also great for a date night. And make sure you stand up to dance with the belly dancers ;-)

by Deepika T.

A fun hangout. The atmosphere was pretty good, the waitress was friendly and helpful, and the belly-dancing was entertaining.. Loved the music, extremely catchy beats! Parking wasn't really a problem, plenty of spots on the street.The food was decent. Veggie options were limited, but tasty enough.. Everyone loved the falafel. Note: They don't have the hookah license anymore since the smoking ban was put in place. But they said they're working on it, and should have the permit soon.

by Kara C.

This place was one I would dream about, from the apple tea, to the baklava dessert, I looooved the food. My favorite dish was the asparagus chicken, it was served with the most luciously spiced spinach, and rice, and I would clean my plate TWICE! (Once there and once for leftover lunch). My girlfriend would order the lentil soup, and it was the standard for all the other soups she would have...So tonite, when we entered the restaurant, I was floored to discover that the owners, the chef, the music AND the menu has changed. I can't believe we sat through this whole menu. I was so sad I just ordered grape leaves, humus and falafel, at a turkish place!The falafel was horrible!! I am so depressed that this amazing place was so ruined...

by Mila G.

Have you ever imagined yourself sprawled on a sea of pillows, every point in your body so comfortable you start considering whether its really worth it to reach as far as the table to retrieve your food?Sadly, I've discovered theres a reason we invented chairs.After switching spots twice, and likely annoying our waitress beyond all belief, the boy and I settled on the pillows around the small table on a platform.  On first thought, we didn't want to sit here, because it seemed like more of a group thing.  Once we sat down, we realized the only way that more people would have fit is if they were shrunken midgets.The food was ok, lamb kebab was very tasty, as was the babaganoush (blessings on my palate, which has recently developed an unprecedented love for eggplant).  The pitas were tasty but seemed much more like dinner rolls than pitas.Service was very friendly, but took quite a bit of time, given that we were one of only 4 tables in the restaurant.  Maybe they were trying to let us better appreciate our lounging?

by Jane T.

I went here with a group of girls for a tiny celebration of an engagement.  I didn't think the food was good at all, it seemed like it was a little cold too.The redeeming points were the delicious hummus, wonderfully friendly staff and the belly dancers.  We won a bottle of wine during their nightly raffle too!  Go here for the fanfare and appetizers.  Plentiful entrees but they weren't great.

by Allison A.

Had a birthday here...I was happy they could accommodate a large table (18 people), but I got a phone call the night before the dinner, informing me that if less than the scheduled number of people showed up, I would be responsible for paying for their absence ($20/person).  What?!  I had made the reservation 3 weeks in advance and they never said a word!  I understand that they need to have an accurate number so they don't lose business, but the implication was that my party wasn't going to "show" or "deliver."  It was vaguely insulting, as well as very last minute.And it was also very stressful.  There were two couples that could not confirm if they could make it until the day of the birthday (family emergencies).  Besides worrying about my friends and their families, I was a bit stressed that I would have to pick up the $80 tab.  I called everyone to confirm that they were coming...how unfortunate that I was trying to plan a fun gathering and have a nice day, and had to worry about this strange, last-minute policy instead!The food was decent and the belly dancing was...enthusiastic.  The service was only OK -- at the end of the night, everyone would have had another round of drinks (or two) but our waitress was somewhere else.  The night WAS fun, but I think it was due to the good company (who all showed up)...not terrible, but I don't think I'll be back again.

by Robert F.

Tired of the same old same old?  Want to mix it up a bit?  Want to try something new but not something crazy?  Consider A La Turka.  Now I don't know anything about Turkish cuisine, but I do know that this place serves up some unique and very satisfying meals.  But the uniqueness doesn't stop at the food.  Want to play Sultan for the night with the Mrs.?  Ask for one of the Turkish style seating areas where you'll rest against large pillows while grazing at a low laying table.  And if you still not satisfied, order a hookah.  And if you're STILL not satisfied (and the Mrs. will let you), enjoy the belly dancers.

by Darlene R.

i gave this place three stars because of the belly dancing, based solely on food it would get a two stars.  the only time i've been here is with my belly dancing class, so the food might have been different because it was for a group of 20.  regardless, i wouldn't come back for food.  the meats were dry, lacking flavor and tough.  the appetizers were alright, but nothing stood out.  i love middle eastern food and this was just okay and bordered on being bad. my husband won a free 15 dollar gift certificate and we never went back to redeem it.  that says a lot about the food.  however, the belly dancing was great.  it was very fun and the lady got people involved.  a couple of people from my class joined in and it was great.

by Hadley D.

We used to be "regulars" at this place but now, well,we won't be back.I hate a place that is so miserable to save money that they give you a bad "pour." Ultra small glasses filled with ice and a tiny amount of alcohol.  Not cool.Another thing they do here is - imagine a large restaurant with many tables set up for "2's" and "4's" - all empty.  A couple walks in and they snake all the way to the back, along the wall, to plant you at a "2."  Heaven forbid that you could be seated at a "4" and have a little elbow room!  In an empty restaurant - they seat their only customers at a tiny table and then serve them itty bitty drinks.Food was ok to good except for one dish which was all burned up and crispy.

by Andrew K.

Elegant place which is definitely recommended. Has round tables in a traditional style in the front section near the windows, at which you can be seated on the floor and lounge on pillows. Never crowded, no wait for a table. On one occasion had the best tabouleh we have found in Chicago, which is saying a lot given the perhaps a dozen varieties experienced at various Middle-Eastern restaurants. Recipe appeared to have been changed last time. Has a significant number of vegetarian options in the appetizers as well as 4 vegetable entrees.The interior decor is good with bric-a-brac reminiscent of traditional Turkish themes such as hookah, the Eye of Fatima, etc, lining the walls. Behind the bar are simulated flames of "torches" burning. Suspended from the ceiling are long sheets of canvas which make the whole look as if you are dining inside a tent. They have several wines on the wine menu which are produced in Turkey. Also they serve "raki", an anise liquor which is a favorite of mine. A perilous combination of tastiness and hard alcohol, I will assume no responsibility for leading you into its temptation.  A variety of mostly contemporary Turkish/arabesque music playing in the background. They also have performances by belly-dancers, check the schedule for times. People tend to show up later in the evenings here, if you go relatively early in the dinner hour, you will have the place almost to yourselves. Just a really nice atmosphere and some exceptional dishes which can't easily be found elsewhere.

by Joscelyn M.

The food: whether you want some meat (read: lamb shank = best lamb I've had - sorry, mom!), or some veggies and dips (read: veggie platter = satisfying and just incredible), or want to carbo-load (read: bread = fan-freaking-tastic), this is your place. Good wines, too. Great place for a group - love the belly dancers on weekends. Can't wait for an occasion to come back!

by t.n. t.

Make sure to catch the belly dancers on the weekends. The food is great. I love the ambiance and I have a lot of fun when I eat here. The energy is inexplicable!!!! Worth the drive

by Jasmine J.

I used to love this place. LOVE it. It was the kind of place I'd choose for my birthday dinner, even when I could have chosen the $$$$ foodie spots. It's delicious and interesting Turkish menu never let me down. However, it went through some major changes and now the menu is limited and ordinary. And, after reading the reviews citing their poor quality of service and downright stingy behavior (see Allison A.'s review), I don't think I'll go back. The place I loved doesn't exist anymore. :o(

by Jenna C.

The atmosphere here is wonderful! The food on the other hand is just ok. My husband who it Turkish (bornraised) wasn't impressed with the food at all, and when he pronounced the food names in Turkish no one who worked there knew what he was talking about. On the other hand I am not Turkish and I thought the food was pretty good! It's a fun place to eat at but I wouldn't consider it the best of the best.

by Patti S.

The first time I came to A La Turka, I was blown away.  Two girlfriends and I arrived on a busy Saturday night with no reservations and were seated almost immediately at one of the sought after, cushy floor tables.  The menu seemed almost overwhemingly huge but there were so many excellent choices, it was fun to have some drinks and take some time perusing the menu.  The food was terrific and plentiful, the belly dancing was sensational and we spent about 3 hours there and enjoyed ourselves from beginning to end.  Well, with that experience, I decided to take my best friend on our annual Christmas dinner there.  I made reservations a month in advance and requested the floor seating, no problem on the phone.  We trudge out there in a BLIZZARD from the burbs, walk in and are seated at a two person table in spite of the fact that the entire restaurant was DEAD save for three tables put together in the middle of the room for a birthday party.  I mentioned that I made a reservation and requested a floor table and she informed me that it was too busy to seat us there because they get so busy.  From the time we got there until the time we left, NOBODY was seated aside from some of the people for the birthday party.  Needless to say, I was livid.  Also, the menu seemed to have been drastically reduced since the first time I had dined there.  The food was delicous both times I've been there but I will never be back due to the horrendous way we were treated.  After reading some other reviews, it seems that the people who run this place are incredibly cheap and could care less about pleasing their customers.Upon reading more reviews, I've learned that the owners and chef have changed which explains everything.  What a damn shame!

by Jennifer P.

Lunch/dinner in bed! It's a spin off of breakfast in bed, except you're eating lunch or dinner and your laying on a rug, surrounded by many comfortable pillows. This is how I would like to preface my story at La Turka. The two window tables are the only places for sitting, or it's not worth the trip. I went here with Emily W. and we both immediately got nuzzled in to our respective corners surrounding the table. Our adorable waitress greeted us at the table by bowing down to our level and asking what we'd like to drink. "Yes, little servant girl! Fetch me my apple tea!" OK...am I getting too ridiculous? Sorry, folks. What I'm trying to get at is...the service is royalty. I ordered the kashkash and found it to die for. The meat was so perfectly seasoned and cooked, I was ready to melt away and forget about the world. Portions are perfect. I walked away completely satisfied. There is a warning that comes with this review, symptoms of laying down while eating are: falling asleep and numbness of limbs.  Just sayin'. It's easy to get a wee bit too comfortable here. Yikes! Check it out. Good date place or day out with the girls.

by emily w.

Imagine a place where you can lay on the floor, surrounded by pillows and cushions, soft music, drinks, little servant girls dancing around with dessert trays (might have been imagining that part), gold chandeliers, kebabs cooked to perfection, and did I mention lots of pillows?. Ahh, I see it off in the distance through a thin cloud of smoke... A...laaaa...Turkaaaa. Derka Derka. If the two sections by the window with the cushions aren't available, wait until one opens up! "The only thing missing from this is somebody to feed me as I lay here" -Jen P. Don't lay there too long though, your digestive system needs a little gravity to help it work!P.S. BIG fan of the Alexander kebab Olive Feta appetizer platter.

by emily w.Jennifer P.Patti S.

Imagine a place where you can lay on the floor, surrounded by pillows and cushions, soft music, drinks, little servant girls dancing around with dessert trays (might have been imagining that part), gold chandeliers, kebabs cooked to perfection, and did I mention lots of pillows?. Ahh, I see it off in the distance through a thin cloud of smoke... A...laaaa...Turkaaaa. Derka Derka. If the two sections by the window with the cushions aren't available, wait until one opens up! "The only thing missing from this is somebody to feed me as I lay here" -Jen P. Don't lay there too long though, your digestive system needs a little gravity to help it work!P.S. BIG fan of the Alexander kebab Olive Feta appetizer platter.Lunch/dinner in bed! It's a spin off of breakfast in bed, except you're eating lunch or dinner and your laying on a rug, surrounded by many comfortable pillows. This is how I would like to preface my story at La Turka. The two window tables are the only places for sitting, or it's not worth the trip. I went here with Emily W. and we both immediately got nuzzled in to our respective corners surrounding the table. Our adorable waitress greeted us at the table by bowing down to our level and asking what we'd like to drink. "Yes, little servant girl! Fetch me my apple tea!" OK...am I getting too ridiculous? Sorry, folks. What I'm trying to get at is...the service is royalty. I ordered the kashkash and found it to die for. The meat was so perfectly seasoned and cooked, I was ready to melt away and forget about the world. Portions are perfect. I walked away completely satisfied. There is a warning that comes with this review, symptoms of laying down while eating are: falling asleep and numbness of limbs.  Just sayin'. It's easy to get a wee bit too comfortable here. Yikes! Check it out. Good date place or day out with the girls.The first time I came to A La Turka, I was blown away.  Two girlfriends and I arrived on a busy Saturday night with no reservations and were seated almost immediately at one of the sought after, cushy floor tables.  The menu seemed almost overwhemingly huge but there were so many excellent choices, it was fun to have some drinks and take some time perusing the menu.  The food was terrific and plentiful, the belly dancing was sensational and we spent about 3 hours there and enjoyed ourselves from beginning to end.  Well, with that experience, I decided to take my best friend on our annual Christmas dinner there.  I made reservations a month in advance and requested the floor seating, no problem on the phone.  We trudge out there in a BLIZZARD from the burbs, walk in and are seated at a two person table in spite of the fact that the entire restaurant was DEAD save for three tables put together in the middle of the room for a birthday party.  I mentioned that I made a reservation and requested a floor table and she informed me that it was too busy to seat us there because they get so busy.  From the time we got there until the time we left, NOBODY was seated aside from some of the people for the birthday party.  Needless to say, I was livid.  Also, the menu seemed to have been drastically reduced since the first time I had dined there.  The food was delicous both times I've been there but I will never be back due to the horrendous way we were treated.  After reading some other reviews, it seems that the people who run this place are incredibly cheap and could care less about pleasing their customers.Upon reading more reviews, I've learned that the owners and chef have changed which explains everything.  What a damn shame!

by emily w.Jennifer P.Patti S.Jenna C.Jasmine J.

Imagine a place where you can lay on the floor, surrounded by pillows and cushions, soft music, drinks, little servant girls dancing around with dessert trays (might have been imagining that part), gold chandeliers, kebabs cooked to perfection, and did I mention lots of pillows?. Ahh, I see it off in the distance through a thin cloud of smoke... A...laaaa...Turkaaaa. Derka Derka. If the two sections by the window with the cushions aren't available, wait until one opens up! "The only thing missing from this is somebody to feed me as I lay here" -Jen P. Don't lay there too long though, your digestive system needs a little gravity to help it work!P.S. BIG fan of the Alexander kebab Olive Feta appetizer platter.Lunch/dinner in bed! It's a spin off of breakfast in bed, except you're eating lunch or dinner and your laying on a rug, surrounded by many comfortable pillows. This is how I would like to preface my story at La Turka. The two window tables are the only places for sitting, or it's not worth the trip. I went here with Emily W. and we both immediately got nuzzled in to our respective corners surrounding the table. Our adorable waitress greeted us at the table by bowing down to our level and asking what we'd like to drink. "Yes, little servant girl! Fetch me my apple tea!" OK...am I getting too ridiculous? Sorry, folks. What I'm trying to get at is...the service is royalty. I ordered the kashkash and found it to die for. The meat was so perfectly seasoned and cooked, I was ready to melt away and forget about the world. Portions are perfect. I walked away completely satisfied. There is a warning that comes with this review, symptoms of laying down while eating are: falling asleep and numbness of limbs.  Just sayin'. It's easy to get a wee bit too comfortable here. Yikes! Check it out. Good date place or day out with the girls.The first time I came to A La Turka, I was blown away.  Two girlfriends and I arrived on a busy Saturday night with no reservations and were seated almost immediately at one of the sought after, cushy floor tables.  The menu seemed almost overwhemingly huge but there were so many excellent choices, it was fun to have some drinks and take some time perusing the menu.  The food was terrific and plentiful, the belly dancing was sensational and we spent about 3 hours there and enjoyed ourselves from beginning to end.  Well, with that experience, I decided to take my best friend on our annual Christmas dinner there.  I made reservations a month in advance and requested the floor seating, no problem on the phone.  We trudge out there in a BLIZZARD from the burbs, walk in and are seated at a two person table in spite of the fact that the entire restaurant was DEAD save for three tables put together in the middle of the room for a birthday party.  I mentioned that I made a reservation and requested a floor table and she informed me that it was too busy to seat us there because they get so busy.  From the time we got there until the time we left, NOBODY was seated aside from some of the people for the birthday party.  Needless to say, I was livid.  Also, the menu seemed to have been drastically reduced since the first time I had dined there.  The food was delicous both times I've been there but I will never be back due to the horrendous way we were treated.  After reading some other reviews, it seems that the people who run this place are incredibly cheap and could care less about pleasing their customers.Upon reading more reviews, I've learned that the owners and chef have changed which explains everything.  What a damn shame!The atmosphere here is wonderful! The food on the other hand is just ok. My husband who it Turkish (bornraised) wasn't impressed with the food at all, and when he pronounced the food names in Turkish no one who worked there knew what he was talking about. On the other hand I am not Turkish and I thought the food was pretty good! It's a fun place to eat at but I wouldn't consider it the best of the best.I used to love this place. LOVE it. It was the kind of place I'd choose for my birthday dinner, even when I could have chosen the $$$$ foodie spots. It's delicious and interesting Turkish menu never let me down. However, it went through some major changes and now the menu is limited and ordinary. And, after reading the reviews citing their poor quality of service and downright stingy behavior (see Allison A.'s review), I don't think I'll go back. The place I loved doesn't exist anymore. :o(