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Pasha, 301 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TU

Pasha, 301 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TU

301 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TU

(020) 7226 1454

It doesn't look like your stereotypical Turkish Restaurant - the recent refurbishment is all clean lines, dark wood and white napery. I'd booked through Time Out, who are currently offering 50% off all food, so the value-for-money-but-not-cheap prices became absolute bargains. Although Pasha's Turkish background is evident, it's modern and international with far more fish than you'd expect. Starters included a generous bowl of good lentil soup; a plate of five huge prawns in chilli and coriander; freshly prepared fried calamari (not from a freezer pack in other words) and Sucuk, a spicy, sausage dish.

Three of us had duck for the main course, our vegetarian teenager had the vegetable moussaka and I had Sea Bass with crushed new potatoes and spinach. Four days later and I'm still thinking about it - as far as I'm concerned it's the best meal I've had in months. The fish was perfectly cooked, and the potatoes and spinach were crushed with juniper berries, not very Turkish, completely unexpected and fresh tasting. I'm going out to buy some juniper berries this afternoon.

We had a couple of bottles of Portugese Red between us, I had a mixed plate of Turkish desserts - again - not the usual baklava etc., while others had a baked rice pudding. The service was professional and friendly, and the only slight drawback was our table. There were five of us - a difficult number - and we got a large table in the centre. It was really too big for us all to talk comfortably, so the teenager and the 70 year old didn't get a chance to talk much. The 50% discount brought the bill to under £20 a head for three courses and wine - bargain ! This offer lasts till the end of July, so take advantage.

By Daisy Middleton at 23/02/2008 - 12:50 | 2008 | Ambience | Approved | Mediterranean | North | Review | £££/$$$ | add new comment | 722 reads