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| - While out and about on a Saturday evening, after a movie in Squirrel Hill, we were wanting to find something for dinner, but were wanting something we'd never had. Our 'getting out' is usually only in a couple of neighborhoods, and we were frankly bored and not in the mood for those usual offerings.
Shadyside has become one of those 'we never go there because there's nothing to do there' neighborhoods, other than to shop for uppity boutiqueries, or eat at pretentious South-Beach-Wannabe bistroids. But, since we were driving down the hill, we thought we'd take a short walk and see what we found...and we found Daphne's.
A totally and completely UNpretentious building and atmosphere that was nearly missed as we walked down Ellsworth. We peeked at the menu through the window and decided to give it a try.
It IS simple. It IS unpretentious. And it is good.
I've been around the Turkish cuisine for a few years having had a friend who specialized in Turkish cuisine, but kind of ran out of steam in exploring others. I am quite happy to have stopped to smell the kofta...and to have bitten into it as well.
I have no idea what the space used to be. But they have transformed it into a very basic large room with a lot of decorative kitsch that hint at Turkish. Small tables, a cashier counter and a kitchen. A little light classical music in the background. It is very simple.
I noticed in several of the reviews the service is whined about. Now I know we're in Shadyside and hipsterisms and uppity attitudes are expected, so maybe just basic table service is sooooo passe here. But our service was absolutely fine. Waitress came, waitress took orders, waitress brought orders, waitress made sure we were ok, and waitress brought check. Basically, that's all I ask for in a restaurant. My backside does not need to be kissed, nor does my ego need stroking.
We both ordered the Turkish coffee, which did come in a tinier demitasse than usual...so tiny it was actually a little hard to hold the handle. But the coffee was pure black heaven. As an appetizer, we split an order of the falafel, which came with pita, lettuce and tomato, with a tahini dipping sauce. The falafel was insanely delicious, and the pita was cut into somewhat larger than tortilla chip size, so it was like making tiny sandwiches. Total yum.
I ordered the Kofta burger, and my better half ordered the kofta entree with rice.
The burger came medium rare, just as I love them, with a huge amount of flavor and juice. Served up with a side of fries. I could have done without the fries. Just regular ol' squished out of a playdough machine frozen restaurant fries. Nothing special. The burger came on a nice bun with lettuce and tomato, and the menu said pickles, but mine arrived with onions, which I can't eat. I asked for my usual mayo or dark mustard, and all they had was the usual ball park day-glo yellow mustard. I decided against anything and ate it bare, and I'm happy I did. The meat flavor was terrific. After sampling a little of the sauce that accompanied my other half's kofta entree, I honestly wondered why they didn't automatically offer THAT as a burger sauce. It's delicious, and really tastes like it belongs on that burger. I highly suggest they just offer that.
The price was as reasonable as reasonable can get in Shadyside, the service was fine, and the food was Turkilicious. When you're over the pomp and circumstance of Shadyside, give it a try. I'd actually make a point to go back again. No frills, but no attitude.
It's quite nice to see something simple and not aimed at bourgeoisie in the neighborhood.
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