We had our first ever visit to Shaka during our recent visit and were very impressed. We had arranged to meet a couple of CBF couples for an evening meal. As is quite normal for me, I spent the whole "browsing the menu" time talking, and just copied what another of our group ordered, starter and main as it sounded nice
So that resulted in a starter of Creamy Garlic Prawns (a dish surely invented with me in mind), and fillet steak, medium rare (sorry Jacqui!). Both were absolutely superb - I did forget my rule that whatever way you like your steak done, move it up a notch in Turkey. So when I ordered medium rare I think I should have said medium. When it arrived (lovely big fillet) it looked like a tanned blancmange - all dark brown externally and bright pink top to bottom within. But is was absolutely fabulous, you could have cut it with a cucumber - I have had two sensational fillet steaks in all my years in the area and this was one of them.
There's also a good selection of breads and dips, all very different to the norm too - some nice touches. I never choose a wine first time in a restaurant anywhere, I just ask for a glass of red and see what they consider customers should be served - and again very pleasant.
Service is low key (as is the restaurant or at least it was that night) and friendly with the people they obviously know well. Osman the boss came over and chatted with us, a very nice guy.
Location is quite obviously wonderful (you should know the view from the webcam) and the food and ambience match that. I read about small portions and I agree they aren't like Ayden Pide's mixed grill but it isn't all about portion size. We didn't think any meal was small, and we thought it presented and delivered very well. We certainly didn't leave hungry.
I would certainly go back and recommend it to anyone.
