From Manhattan, the drive to The Bosphorus in Nutley, NJ is quick and easy, but actually finding the restaurant isn’t as smooth. The address posted on the website guides you to a Chinese restaurant on Franklin Avenue. Confused and thinking the place may have closed, we call and are directed to go to the parking lot behind the Chinese restaurant. After a short walk from Franklin Avenue we come across a well-lit and welcoming establishment with park benches and white string lights ablaze out front. We walk in. It’s quaint and bustling with diners. The hostess greets us with a big smile followed by a kiss on the cheek and a big hug. Jack immediately looked at me with wide eyes and amazement and asked, “do you know her?” I say “No! I never knew this place existed until we googled them 15 minutes ago.” Needless to say, they are very, very welcoming, especially to a hardened New Yorker.
We are shown to our seats and are quickly handed our menus. Everything looks so good but I am going to stick with the choice I made earlier when perusing the menu – the Adana. Adana is a minced meat (lamb) kebab mounted on a wide iron skewer and grilled. Jack decides to order the Chicken Adana. We are hungry so we order an appetizer of hummus and a small Shepherd Salad as well.
The hummus quickly arrives and it is absolutely delicious. It’s served with fresh, warm bread and comes adorned with carrots, black olives and another vegetable that Jack and I couldn’t identify. Regardless, we ate it, and it was very good. Jack is a hummus aficionado and raved about how this was better than any hummus he’s eaten – ever. I would have to concur. It was smooth, creamy and hands down more delicious than any store bought brand. Excellent.
The Shepherd salad arrives next and Jack says, “it is too pretty to eat”. Sitting on top of the salad is a radish that is carved into a flower. The salad is made of chopped cucumbers, red onion and tomato with a romaine lettuce spear that sticks out from the side and the salad is covered with just the right amount of shaved feta cheese. It was a delicious sight, but we were hungry and dug right in. Basically it’s a Mediterranean salad, and a fine one at that. Jack cleans his plate and heaps up a second serving. I wait because I want to save room for my Lamb Adana, which based on the two starters already served, I anticipate is going to be outstanding.
While we wait for our entrees, a gentleman comes over to our table and introduces himself as the host and asks if either of us play the piano. I play a little but was not going to say anything. Not that I had to because Jack says loudly “Yvette plays the piano.” Thank you Jack! After about 5 minutes of wrangling out of playing in front of a packed restaurant our host takes his leave and starts strumming on the piano. Needless to say, I gave Jack the death star stare that he just laughed off.
Our entrees arrive and they look like plates from an upscale restaurant. Everything with its specific place on the plate, clean lines and crisp presentation. We both take note before we dig in. The lamb Adana is delicious and moist. The char from the grill brings the right amount of crunch to the bite. The Adana dish is served with a small side of white rice and lentils. I am normally not a fan of lentils but these were so good that I polished those off before the Adana. Jack nods and motions with his hands that his food as he savors his first bite. Needless to say, I think he likes it. We both clean our plates. Not a morsel left, not even a lonely piece of rice. The hostess comes back to our table and asks how we liked the meal. We rave about it. She begins to mention she has a special dessert for all of us. Being full we decline. I felt bad because she was visibly disappointed that we wouldn’t partake in the free desert that “she made especially for us.” We paid our bill and were offered small candies as we left. But, before we could make it out the door the hostess wanted another round of hugs and kisses. What a sweet way to end a dinner.
Do, I recommend The Bosphorus? Absolutely. From warm and welcoming hugs to the artistically presented and very delicious food to the musical tunes playing in the background, you won’t be disappointed.
Romantic Date Night? Yes, the live music coupled with the outstanding food makes it the perfect place for date night. Also, this is a very friendly place; please note you will be hugged and kissed on the cheek coming and going.
The Bosphorus
226 Franklin Ave (located in a parking lot)
Nutley, NJ 07110
Phone: 973-542-8440
http://thebosphorus.us/default.asp
NOTE: All photos taken from The Bosphorus Web Site
