Kazans

Order a cocktail, flop on to one of the sofas & chill to the tunes in the bar, before moving into the main dining room at Kazans. The menu follows the well-trodden Turkish path, opening with a traditional collection of hot & cold mezze: the fava bean purée, the shaktuka (a creamy aubergine & yoghurt dip), & the spicy prawns, are particularly recommended. There then follows a choice of classic kebabs, grills & aromatic stews. The cooking isn’t too ambitious, but readers confirm that it’s ‘reliable’ & ‘better than expected’. Service might have the occasional off-day, but it’s usually good, especially when the owner is on the premises.