Kismet is an artistic, independent food concept in London's bustling Borough Market, located on the first floor of The Globe Tavern. Above a bar of regulars, Kismet will bring diners a menu inspired by Turkey in the swinging 60s - specifically 1964. The concept comes from a duo already well known on the London food scene; Dom Hamdy of Bistro Freddie and Crispin, and chef Keiran Mustafa of BiBi and The Harwood Arms, who have paid homage to the traditional Turkish taverns known as meyhanes of Istanbul and Northern Cyprus.
A huge part of the menu is mezze, with a mixture of smaller dishes to share with the table. Instant favourites include the girit ezme with white cheese, pistachio, dilll and mint, alongside the kizartma which sees fried aubergines served hot and crisp alongside peppers and a creamy, luxurious yoghurt to dip into. Vegetarian diners will love the buffalo milk yoghurt and chilli butter, as well as the vegetables cooked in olive oil and tarama, which is pureed cod's roe.
You also can't go wrong with classics like chickpea hummus and hibes, which brings together creamy, whipped tahini with a squeeze of zesty citrus. Moving onto the larger, meat-based dishes, the juicy chicken thigh with red pepper sounds delicious, as does the grilled monkfish kebab. The seftali kebab offers diners the chance to try a typical minced cypriot kebab, while the kuzu sis serves yo lamb leg with indulgent tail fat.
To go alongside those substantial plates, the menu also has a mix of smaller dishes and side plates, too. Think swiss chard, yoghurt and chilli butter, alongside fried liver with onion salad. Sides look like bulgar wheat and tomatoe, as well as the house salad and fried cypriot potatoes. You can also make things even easier for yourself and opt for the set menu which delivers you a taste across the best of the menu.