A friend and I were lucky enough to be invited along to Stone Grill Restaurant on Springfield Road to sample some of the eaterie's signature dishes. Arriving just before 7pm, we expected a relatively quiet welcome, but the place was already buzzing with a mix of families and couples, who were tucking into the hearty fare.
The mouth-watering aromas coming from the kitchen sent us straight to the menu, which was packed with a range of tempting starters, from smoked aubergine salad to borek - a hot rolled pastry filled with feta cheese and parsley.
With a definite fear of missing out, we opted for the set menu for two people, which included a cold mixed meze followed by a mixed grill main, all served with rice, salad and bread.
First to come out was the Turkish bread - fresh and warm, it was the perfect mix between pitta and naan, served with a relatively fiery chilli dip and a cooling garlic dip - delicious. Resisting the temptation to devour the whole basket in anticipation of the meal to come, we were soon rewarded with the speedy delivery of the cold mixed meze.
Comprising eight items from the starter menu, it included cacik (tzatziki) - a fresh creamy cucumber dip, an earthy humus and tarama salad - a salty but tasty fish roe paste. Eaten with the bread, it was the perfect starter.
The beauty of Turkish food is that it's such a sociable way to eat, with sharing actively encouraged, whether you order the set menu or choose individual items to place in the middle of the table. With private booths at the front of the restaurant and tables for couples or groups further back, with views of the open kitchen, this is a great place to come to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the Turkish specialities.
Our mixed grill was more than enough for two people - if not three - with lamb and chicken shish kebabs, adana and chicken koftes, chicken wings and lamb ribs, served with two types of rice and a colourful fresh salad with beetroot, carrot, tomato, lettuce, carrot and red onion. Sensitively seasoned and full of flavour, the meat was tender and perfectly cooked over the restaurant's grills.
Dishes are excellent value, with starters around £3.95 and a set menu for two people at £39.50.
Staff at Stone Grill are friendly and efficient, happy to explain any of the dishes that may be unfamiliar.
Given we'd practically licked our starter plates clean, and demolished the stack of warm Turkish bread, it was no wonder that we couldn't finish the mixed grill! Armed with a carry-out box of the meat we couldn't finish, it barely got through the door at home before our hungry husbands wrestled it out of our hands and polished off the lot, with plenty of lip-smacking to boot!
We're already planning our next visit - Stone Grill Restaurant is a great place for couples, families, a group get-together or even a celebration. This Turkish delight is definitely a gem in Chelmsford!
Contact
Stone Grill Restaurant
01245 352542
122 Springfield Road, Chelmsford CM2 6LF.
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