Perhaps it's time I came to my own defence. While I am extremely grateful for the help and support of Fiona and Eric, and Kevin and Morag, and many others, I do not turn into a pumpkin after they've gone (though watch out for Halloween!) and all are welcome at any time. We're open daily from 10.30 a.m. to late at night.
About the standard of our food: we have more empty plates coming back than complaints, so I believe we're doing something right. It's true that we have made mistakes, which I apologise for and am embarrassed about, but I welcome fair criticism and I believe we are improving all the time. Pookie, your 'worst meal ever' comment dates from way back in the spring when we first opened - even press restaurant critics give a place a second chance before they condemn it outright. Goatman, or whatever you choose to call yourself these days, I don't recall you ever coming here, unless it was right at the beginning. One of my few experiences of eating at the Wine House for example was many months and several chefs ago and it was awful, but I'm not making any comment about the current situation because I don't know. It may well be a very good place to eat now, and I hope it is.
Other restaurant owners here are not fluent English speakers and are unlikely to read this forum or post on it to set the record straight when necessary. For example, I feel that Hüseyin's pide place has been under-represented here - it's simple and to the point, a completely Turkish experience, and I personally like the food.
I'm sorry, I'm not into this carping and back-stabbing. I would hope for an Üzümlü with a number of eateries, each with its own style and character, where people felt they could go from one to the other and experience something different in each one.
Alec
Çmlik Restaurant
