Lunch Beat: Istanbul Park
The neighborhood is chock full of many lunch spots, which often include a lunch special. How can you decide which one to choose? The new Park Slope Lunch Beat guides you through the myriad of choices available. We’ll break down the basics, share some special tips, and provide a quick scorecard to help you pick the best place for your afternoon lunch destination.
This week, we’re debuting our Park Slope Lunch Beat, and we’re beginning with Istanbul Park (293 7th Avenue between 7th and 8th Streets), a Turkish and Mediterranean grill located in the heart of bustling 7th Avenue. But the bustle subsides once you enter the restaurant.
On the day we went, the restaurant was peppered with restaurant-goers at the height of the lunch rush. There was plenty of room, and the affable staff didn’t hurry us. This is definitely a spot where you can be comfortable taking your time.
The lunch special has a wide variety of options, allowing you to pick and choose from nine appetizers and 12 main courses. There are both meat (gyros and kebabs) as well as veggie (casseroles and falafel) options, so many will have little problem finding something on the menu.
In addition, the lunch special price is very fair at $10.95. This includes an appetizer (you can choose a soup or salad) and a main entree that comes with rice and a small salad. You certainly won’t leave hungry.
We chose the baba ghanoush as the appetizer. It wasn’t a standout, as it lacked the smokey flavor that normally makes the eggplant dish so tasty. It comes with regular bread, which doesn’t complement it as well as a pita would.
The falafel lunch platter was far more successful. The falafel was just crispy enough without it being overly fried. The hummus had a nice, creamy texture. It’s a large dish, and you may not finish it. (Ooh, dinner…)
The Turkish coffee ($3.25) was deep, intense, and will surely keep you sharp for the rest of the afternoon. There was a hint of sweetness, without it overwhelming the taste. The baklava ($5) comes with four pieces. The texture is dense, and a bit too sweet for our taste. That said, you’ll most likely be able to take home a few of those for later.
The staff is swift without rushing you. However, if you’re in a hurry and want a Turkish lunch, you will do well here. We saw a few Methodist hospital staff members doing just that.
Istanbul Park provides a lot for your lunch special buck. The restaurant offers solid food in a relaxed environment. And although we’re here to focus on the lunch special, Turkish coffee fans can linger a bit for a great mid-afternoon coffee break.
Park Slope Lunch Beat Rundown: Istanbul Park
Where: 293 7th Avenue (between 7th and 8th Streets).
Phone: 718-832-3400
Lunch Special Hours: Mondays-Fridays, 11am-4pm.
Regular Hours: 11am-1am, all week.
Reservations: None taken, and not necessary.
Who To Bring: Parties up to 6 would be very comfortable, however you’ll enjoy the quiet if you’re eating alone as well.
Kid Friendly? Yes. High chairs are available.
Best Time To Visit: Anytime during the lunch special time frame is fine. The restaurant is not crowded, and you’ll surely find a seat whenever you choose to come.
Best Bites: Try the haydari (creamy yogurt mixed with garlic, dill, and walnuts) as the appetizer, which is part of the $10.95 lunch special. We had the solid lunch falafel platter as our main lunch special dish. The Turkish coffee ($3.25) is excellent. The baklava ($5) is dense and very sweet. Neither come included with the lunch special.