06/28/08

Go there- NOW (if not sooner)

by Heidiallison

All I can say is WOW. We went last night and I was thoroughly impressed with everything! Dining room was full, but we were seated right away. Our waiter couldn't have been more nice and friendly- he had a geniune smile on his face for the entire meal service. We ordered a bit of everything- appetizer, soup, salad, and split the mixed grill entree, wine, and finishing off with some baklava and Turkish coffee-- everything tasted wonderful. Service was not slow at all- it was perfect. Our first courses and their yummy bread were served quickly (thank goodness- we were starved) and then the rest of the meal was served at a leisurely pace- but not too slow. There is nothing more frustrating then either being served too quickly (if I wanted "fast" food, I wouldn't have gotten out of my car), or too slowly---this was neither---it was great.

I moved from Houston about a year ago, which had a thriving Middle Eastern/Mediterranean/Turkish culture, and I adored the restaurants. Since I moved here, I've found decent ones, but nothing that really compares or that I would like to take friends and Family....until now.

I will be back to Anatolia often, and will bring people there any chance I get!! YUM...

• Pros: Food, Food, Food, Service, Service, Service
• Cons: nothing I can think of

03/18/08

From a local who has spent time in Turkey

by thenashvillian

I rarely give any restaurant a 5 star rating. I dine out so much in my travels that it is hard to find a "good 'restaurant that I would frequent, especially in my home town. Anatolia is not only authentic in its food but also in its atmosphere. Anyone who has enjoyed a full meal with a Turkish family or in a Turkish restaurant knows that time is not important when it comes to good food. I have seen some negative comments in these reviews about the service and I would like to respond by saying that this is not an in and out restaurant. Come in and order an appetizer and some hot tea (they refill it for free so enjoy as much as you like) and relax. Also, the food is all prepared from scratch, so it will take awhile as some of these dishes are complicated. I actually overheard one customer complaining how long one of the deserts took to arrive when it clearly states on the menu to order it in advance as it takes 20-30 min to cook it. This is a restaurant you come to enjoy your food and your dinner mate. Another positive quality of this restaurant is there wide range of food. Even the most timid and picky eaters can ease into this genre of food with recognizable and familiar food choices. The staff will never rush you and has always been attentive to an empty tea glass or finished dish to be cleared. Parking is never a problem. Finally, I would like to recommend the Iskander Kabob as a main dish. I have yet to find anyone out of the dozens of friends I have taken here who did not swoon over this simple yet amazing dish. Try this restaurant once and you will be hooked.

• Pros: Amazing Food, Great Wait Staff, Relaxing Atmosphere, Good Variety

12/26/07

Worth the trip into Nashville for Special Occasion dining.

by ricea1111

We first learned about Anatolia from our children. I think our son-in-law, who works downtown for HCA, was taken there for lunch. He took our daughter and both they highly recommended it. Since we live south of Franklin in Williamson County, we tend to only go there when we're up in the Nashville area for some other reason and can stop by Anatolia in the evening. However, the food is so good that it's worth the fuel and time if you want a really great meal, great service and quiet atmosphere. We love Genie's Persian Palace, which is much closer to us, but the atmosphere at Anatolia is more formal, if a formal, romantic evening is what you're looking for.

• Pros: Food, Ambience, Service