Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum

Calis Beach Forum => Calis Bar and Restaurant Questions and Discussions => Topic started by: Ian on August 30, 2016, 20:25:59 PM

Title: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: Ian on August 30, 2016, 20:25:59 PM
We live close by and regularly have Sunday Lunch here in the early evening. When we went this week after returning from a few weeks in the UK - Tuna told us the new chef was finding his feet. We were surprised as "the old" chef had been there 6 years and we were quite happy with his meals and the regular Sunday Lunch.

Well, he has certainly got himself a good new chef. The meal was very, very good - the mint / apple and horseradish sauces were all home made and the apple pie dessert was fantastic.

Those who know me - know I am "careful" with my money - well this was the best 20 lira meal for a very long time.

Long may it continue   :)
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: mercury on August 31, 2016, 17:21:26 PM
You spent 20 Lira each? must be good Ian... x
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: kayakebab on August 31, 2016, 18:44:27 PM
This is good news. We went for a friends birthday a few weeks ago.
15 of us.
Drink service was slow, and they sat half of us under a wooden verandah in August.
We were boiling and asked twice before anyone moved the fan.

The food took 2 hours to arrive.
Only one other couple eating there.
Of the 15 only 3 were happy with their choices, others ate it because they were starving.
People needed steak knives to cut gammon, the duck with orange sauce was dry and the sauce consisted of a couple of slices of orange on top of the meat.
I sent my tikka masala back.
It was bright red and looked the part but the only flavouring was chilli.
It burned my mouth, like a vindaloo.
The onion bhagee starters were equally bad and I gave them to John as I just couldnt eat them.
His chicken starter was completely tasteless.

When John settled the bill they tried to charge for my meal.
John questioned it and they reluctantly deducted 5tl after a lot of persuasion.
It was disappointing that no one asked how our meals were or queried how much food was left on plates.
Tuna was there but didnt interact with any of us. Maybe he was having a bad day as he is usually very friendly.
Personally I think we'll need a lot of persuading to go back but good to see a positive review.
Would be a shame for them not to pull the place back as they've spent a lot refurbishing recently.

The good thing was that the birthday girl ordered the special and said it was delicious.
Sadly some people left before they brought the birthday cake out, but it was almost midnight!


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Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: Lotty on August 31, 2016, 21:20:30 PM
Kayakebab, your evening sounds dreadful, service and food wise, but you are so generous in pointing out the few positives. After Ian's fantastic review I bet you will be happy and fair to give it another chance! Don't you just love CBF.  :D
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: kayakebab on September 01, 2016, 06:59:58 AM
We most likely will Lotty.
Worth taking a gamble at 20tl
 :)



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Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: mercury on September 01, 2016, 16:17:17 PM
If It is still as bad Linda.. I will give you Ian ' s address. lol
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: Ian on September 01, 2016, 16:47:51 PM
Remember I only reviewed Sunday Lunch - if you live life in the fast lane and order off the main menu - then basically ------------you are on your own !!! :-)
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: mercury on September 01, 2016, 19:48:37 PM
Don't be backtracking now Ian... x
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: philrose on September 02, 2016, 07:26:55 AM
Always found the Pines a bit hit and miss. The curries are definitely to be avoided they all seem to be vibrantly coloured tasteless "ding" meals
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: mercury on September 02, 2016, 13:10:26 PM
I have a theory that some places are "one trick ponies" as in.. They only do one thing really good...Maybe it us the Sunday Lunch in this case?
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: Ian on September 02, 2016, 14:12:25 PM
In fairness his midweek "special" curry night was a brightly coloured over spiced disaster that we only had twice - the second time to confirm the first was "the standard". His Sunday Lunches have been consistently good and I believe they have upped their game with the new chef as there were signs he was very good - lets hope it goes across the whole menu.
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: kayakebab on September 02, 2016, 15:27:07 PM
I hope the new chef does a Gordon Ramsay and chops 500 things off it.
Its ridiculously huge.
I didn't think they could possibly make so many things well.
And they couldnt! 

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Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: JohnF on September 02, 2016, 15:47:00 PM
Its ridiculously huge.
I didn't think they could possibly make so many things well.
And they couldnt! 

Sounds like a common 'Turkish' menu. 

Starts off with a small manageable menu of mainly Turkish dishes, one the cook and staff are comfortable with.

Then the guy in the restaurant down the road starts doing some mexican dishes.  Woah, wait a minute, we're losing customers because he's doing fajitas and nachos!  I know, lets do fajitas, nachos and chili con carne.

Repeat for umpteen different cuisines from curry to pizza and back again.

Voila... you now have a typical tourist resort Turkish menu, full of stuff the cook has never eaten before therefore hasn't a clue how its meant to taste, often prepared with ingredients that aren't suited for the dish and due to the poor eating habits/palates of many tourists, they often get away with.  Apart from when CBF members go of course  :)


JF
Title: Re: The Pines - New Chef - No Problem
Post by: kayakebab on September 02, 2016, 15:57:23 PM
Yep. Spot on John.


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