Nar Cafe Bistro 2540 Windsor Rd 250-598-1085
Get ready to put on your explorers cap as you begin your voyage into deepest darkest Oak Bay...Well, not really, Nar is only around the corner from the Marina Restaurant, but this part of Oak Bay is known as a bit of a commercial wasteland.
Located in the former Windsor Tea Room, new chefs/owners Ozlem and Cemil Karahasan came from Turkey to pursue their culinary passion after a visit to Victoria 10 years ago. Well thank goodness they did, adding some much needed variety to the culinary landscape. I have long been puzzled by the absence of Turkish...Persian...Middle Eastern...North African restaurants in Victoria?! Granted, my longing is pre-set by a kind of homesickness for a time I spent living in Egypt as a younger person; but seriously, these are some pretty great culinary traditions that are very approachable for European/North American palates. There should be more of this kind of food in Victoria.
Back to Nar, the menu is small, but with enough variety to suit the needs of your average party of diners. The menu includes vegetarian and seafood dishes, but is notable for its selection of lamb dishes. The small plates are Turkish style mezze. Both hot and cold items were creative in their design and excellent in execution. Similarly, our main courses were served with an above average sense of culinary sophistication. The desserts are Turkish, which is fun and tasty. They serve the Turkish liquor Raki, as well as Turkish beer and a selection of wines. The wine list could use a little panache for my taste, but I'm usually happy as long as there is something in my glass.
Ozlem and Cemil are in the process of opening up a coffee shop next door in the former flower shop. Located across the street from the Windsor Pavilion, two municipal sport pitches, tennis courts and just down the way from a Montessori school and fancy pants, private primary school, I think the coffee shop will keep them very busy. They even say they'll have Turkish coffee....