Replacing TurCuisine in the Worldgate Shopping Center is another restaurant serving food from the Middle East-meets-Europe nation. Last month (three months after Anatolian Bistro opened) the predecessor’s sign was removed and the interior slightly updated (shout out to the huge, cozy baby changing station.)
Anatolian Bistro offers classic Turkish food. A sampler platter is best for its crispy cigar and melting feta within; the grape leaf surrounding squishy rice and raisins leans sweet. The Iskender kebab makes me question why this dish doesn’t have more of a cult following when what we currently treasure is meat-based comfort food and yogurt reigns supreme. Thin slices of beef and lamb are layered like a dome atop a pile of yogurt-covered pita squares (both the dairy and bread are housemade). The meat is dripping in an attractive sheen of grease, and the edges keep a bit of a crust. A glossing of a tangy tomato sauce is perhaps the only real seasoning. It’s altogether meaty and creamy and messy and carby, so why are we eating anything else? // 13029 Worldgate Drive, Herndon
