We decided to give this restaurant a try last week as it seemed to come well recommended. We understood it is owned by the fisherman’s co-operative and sells the local fish caught that day in the bay.
We arrived at the restaurant and were surprised at how well presented it was. The waiter arrived at our table and apologized that there was no menu and we said we understand - we look in the fridge. There were a few different types of fish in the fridge, but only one type big enough for us to share. We ordered a medium size fish, the waiter put it on the scales, but we didn’t see the weight. We sat back and enjoyed a nice meal – 2 spring rolls, 8 small prawns, mussel kebab, the fish, salad a few chips, 1 efes and 2 rakis.
The bill arrived, total 155TL. On examination we saw, shock horror – 72TL for the one fish!! We have been visiting Fethiye for 13 years and now visit 4 times a year so we have some understanding of costs and value. When we queried the amount the waiter said ‘yes that’s correct – 800 grams at 90 TL a kilo. Now I dispute it was anywhere near 800gms – but 90TL a kilo for a fish caught 20 meters across the road!!!
After disputing the amount several times and not getting anywhere we paid 120TL which we felt represented far more than the value of the meal and left, waving the bill and stating that we would be showing this on CBF and TA . As we made our way to the car the waiter came after us. As I started to get in the passenger seat he was waiving the 120TL and wanted to give the full amount back to us – in exchange for the bill I was still clutching. No way was I ‘selling’ the bill back to them for a free meal – people need to be made aware and I intended to keep the bill to back up my complaint.
As I refused to hand over the bill another older man came charging up to us. Shouting in Turkish he aggressively attempted to wrench the bill from my hand. With his nose in my face, and continuing to shout abuse he grabbed my arm and twisted my fingers to try and get me to release the bill. Now I’m an OAP with arthritis in my thumbs but I hung on to that bill – I have cuts from his nails and bruises on my forearm to prove it. My husband, who is not very able (with the help of the waiter who was trying to talk the man down) had to shove him off me and we drove away extremely shaken by the whole incident.
A Turkish friend phoned the restaurant to complain on our behalf and was told that we had chosen an ‘expensive fish’ – scales of gold I should think. He apologized for ‘Baba’s’ behavior and offered us a free meal if we went back but I wouldn’t go near the place again even if I was paid.
There are no prices on the fish – in our ignorance we didn’t imagine that a fish caught in Fethiye Bay, sold in a Fethiye co-operative could possibly cost £27!
I would advise anyone to stay away from this restaurant but if you are tempted in please learn from our mistake, ask the price of the fish and check how much it weighs!
