Server wearing a red vest and fez explains the selections at Sheesh Turkish Restaurant.
If you like Mediterranean food, plan now for a drive down South Grand to the new Turkish restaurant with the funny-sounding name: Sheesh. Upon entering, it’s immediately apparent that the Marmarchi family has paid a lot of attention to customer comfort while detailing their newly-minted restaurant. The dining area features large, cozy seats and tables set with shiny, copper serving pieces.
The servers, each wearing a red vest and fez, look like characters out of Ali Baba, but that only adds to the fanciful atmosphere. Service was exceptionally prompt and our waitress happy to explain the many dishes offered on the menu.
The serving pieces compliment each dish.
The spacious, comfortable décor makes for relaxed dining.
Grilled Pita Bread and Hummus created with a flair.
Falafels made of chickpeas and parsley are nuggets of goodness.
Yalanji, ($4.99), an appetizer of grape leaves stuffed with rice, walnuts, and Turkish spices.
Chicken Biriyani is meaty and slightly spicy. Delish!
I had the Chicken Biriyani, $14.99, a steamed rice mixed with raisins, carrots, chickpeas, and raisins served with a side of yogurt and my friend had the Chicken and Lamb Kebabs. Both excellent choices. See full menu here.
Safa, one of the family members who owns Sheesh.
I had a chance to meet owner Safa Marmarchi, a pleasant young man, whose family came to the U.S. as refugees nine years ago. Fortunately, the family brought their cooking skills with them, because they are turning out some of the best Turkish food I’ve had either here or in Turkey.
The Baklava at Sheesh is magnificent and far less sweet and honey-soaked then most versions.
We ended the meal with a taste of Baklava, which I ordinarily avoid because it drips with syrupiness. This did not; the multi-layered pastry sprinkled with pistachios was delicious.
A couple leaving as we came in recommended the rice pudding as being unusually good. I think the woman used the word “divine.” Rice pudding is not a dish I would normally order. As I recall, it was what my mother served when someone in the family was sick—a dish that was soft, digestible, and bland. Sheesh had taken the humble fare to a new level, far unlike what’s served on hospital trays.
Sheesh is located on the corner of S. Grand and Humphrey.
I have sat on too many high stools and at cramped tables in restaurant with flimsy napkins, a dull décor and a sound level that exceeded exposure levels recommended by OSHA. Sheesh shows how pleasant dining out can be when you combine outstanding food, with fine service and a relaxed atmosphere.
Sheesh Restaurant, 3226 S. Grand. Open: Sun-Thu 11a to 9p; Fri & Sat 11a to 10p.
