Orontes West

Orontes offers the best meze deal in town. At less than 35 euro the selection of five cold and three hot appetizers is a real bargain. It’s enough to feed two greedy giants and deliciously enough to satisfy the pickiest person on earth. The menu of this lively place — reservations recommended — originates from the southern part of Turkey (Hatay, Antakya). Pomegranate sauce, chickpeas and other ingredients of this region are imported by the Kuridish owner to create authentic tastes. Charcoal grilled fish and meat is an important feature of this cuisine. The cook of Orontes sure knows how to grill. Those grilled chicken cutlets … soooo finger-​licking good. MMM. Okay, I will focus and get back to the meze. Some highlights: baba ganoush, a dip of charcoal grilled aubergine, mint and pomegranate sauce, fried cheese-​thyme rolls and oruk. Yes, oruk! Baked oval balls of crushed gierst (millet) filled with spiced minced beef. A rather coarse texture, crispy crust and refined taste. A highly addictive bite, no?

I was sent here because my chosen restaurant was full — yes I should make reservations but Orontes W was a pleasant surprise. I had the baked mussels (mosselen) appetizer, the lamb chops with frites (lambskoteletten) and a glass of house wine. The mussels were excellent, fresh and tender and the sweet red peppers made were a stand out addition. The lamb crops were very tasty too. My plate had 5 chops, this could easily be 4 which would allow them to be pinker and more tender. I could taste the grill but wanted more of it. They still tasted great and the cucumber yogurt sauce made them even better. The frites were perfect too, but I expect no less in Amsterdam. I’d definitely go back, I was too full to try the baklav but will save room for that next time.

A reasonable place to drink beer after a long night.