Having missed out on the Souk Spring Menu Launch, I was ecstatic to be asked to try out the menu when I was available (YAYERS!). Anywho, we searched for Souk and it was hidden away but you can definitely spot it’s neon sign a mile away. We walked in and BAM, we were hit with a beautiful decor, a bar in the front and a dining area upstairs. We were greeted by the friendly staff and got to our seats ready for food galore!
To kick the night off I got the Princess Jasmine because well, I LOVE GIN and LOVE TEA! So why not have both? This was oh so refreshing a I loved it, definitely felt like I was Princess with all those flowers in them.
Princess Jasmine – $21
Ink Gin & Chardonnay topped with lavender tea & fragrant lavender spray
Ms Traveling got a mocktail, the Still D.R.E and it was fantabulous! It was refreshing, sweet but not overly sweet and oh so yummilicious!
Still D.R.E – $7.50
Date molasses, blackcurrant & elderflower topped with soda
Now, the important part was next, the FOOD! The salads came out first and first up was the Zeytinyagli Fasulye which was a Turkish green bean salad. This was AWESOME SAUCE! It was just so flavoursome that it was busting to be eaten and of course we obliged.
Zeytinyagli Fasulye – $16
Turkish green bean salad with broccolini, crispy onion, basil, finished with silverbeet
The fattoush salad was served in a pita cone and the cone was quite sweet. The salad itself was very refreshing and light, for those who want a guilty pleasure and still feel healthy, this is the dish for you.
Fattoush Salad – $9
Tomatoes, cucumber, radish, pomegranate and shallots with sumac & lemondressing, served in a pita cone topped with tulum cheese and za’atar
The spiced beef croquettes were strong in spice (the flavour and not the hotness!) and was a touch dry on the inside. However, the flavour was great!
Icli Kofte – Kibbeh (2pc) – $11
Spiced beef croquettes served with lemon scented labneh and smoked eggplant
The turkish dumplings were so adorable. They looked like teeny tiny stars and were stuffed with beef. The garlic yoghurt was quite strong in garlic flavour but it was refreshing. It was quite different to the dumplings I was use to but it’s always good to try new things!
MANTI – Turkish dumplings – $17.50
Tiny turkish beef dumplings with garlic yoghurt, paprika butter and dried mint, topped with sumac dusted tortilla chips
Of course we tried the fried chicken. Now, these were absolutely MOUTH WATERING. Ms Travelling could not stop eating this and even stated that they were the best fried chicken she’s had and will come back just for these. It spiced pita crumbs were just amazing and the chicken was oh so juicy. I’m not a fan of fried chicken but I absolutely adored this.
KFC – Kuwaiti fried chicken (6pc) – $15
Chicken ribs fried in spiced pita crumbs served with a creamy harissa toum
My favourite bird of all time is quail and you can imagine the smile on my face when a plate of smokey grilled quail was plonked in front of me. The quail was juicy, perfectly cooked with a tinge of pink and that smokey taste was AWESOME SAUCE! This was my favourite dish of the night and all the flavours on the plate just went oh so well together.
Quail Asafeer (2 pc) – $26
Smokey grilled quail served with fragrant parsley and freeka salad, salted grapes, smoked almonds and rose scented grape and quince molasses glaze
Finally, the lamb shoulder came out and by this point we were super duper full. The lamb was so tender that it fell apart just by looking at it! I’m not a huge lamb eater but I couldn’t taste that lamb taste and could definitely eat it.
Lamb Shwarma – $34
Spiced and slow roasted lamb shoulder, served with angel hair rice, pickled lemons, saffron yoghurt and a fresh garden salad topped with za’atar cheese
Finally for dessert, we were presented with thewhipped turkishh coffee and nutella ganache. THIS. WAS. HEAVEN! It was so smooth, so creamy, so chocolate-ly but not overly sweet. It was perfect!
Whipped Turkish coffee and Nutella ganache – $7
Souk has been opened for 8 months now and it is definitely serving up some serious awesome food. I will definitely be back for that quail and ganache. If you’re a chicken lover, come down for the KFC, you will not be disappointed. The staff were oh so friendly, the service was quick and it’s a great place for drinkies or even bringing that special someone to impress them with some middle eastern food.
Disclaimer: I was honoured to be invited to dine by Souk and Fox Digital Lab and all opinions expressed are my own.
13 Bligh Place, Melbourne, VIC 3000
Tel: (03) 8597 5444
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