Hunkar (sultan in Turkish) is a family-owned restaurant—open since 2006—that offers Turkish cuisine in a casual storefront space. Turkish music wafts through the red painted room, where ethnic pictures and decorations all add to the ambiance. White tablecloths and napkins are used, but you need to ask to have your silverware replaced between courses. A view of the New York City skyline is visible from the back patio.
TURKISH DELIGHTS AT HUNKAR
We were delighted that warm pida bread, fluffy with a crisp crust—from Taskin Bakery in Paterson—was served with spicy olive oil and graciously replaced when the breadbasket was empty. Our starter, Shepherd salad topped with crumbled feta with vinegar, olive oil and herbs coating chopped tomatoes, cucumber, onions, scallions and parsley, was better than most. A small combination platter allowed for four choices and we opted for: tarama, a red caviar spread; hummus, which needed more tahini and/or lemon juice to rev it up; smoky eggplant salad with green and red peppers, olive oil and garlic; and our favorite white Turkish kidney beans cooked with onions, carrots, potatoes and tomatoes. A traditional Istanbul dish, Hunkar Begendi, contained tough lamb cubes cooked in tomato sauce atop of a velvety eggplant puree blended with cheese. Another menu item often seen in Turkish restaurants was manti, a tiny ravioli stuffed with seasoned lamb and onions and covered with a slightly spicy yogurt sauce. The manti dough was ethereal, but the manti were not thoroughly drained, creating a watered down topping. Kofte kebab containing five small char-grilled ground beef patties was juicy and delicious. Served with thin pita bread, a mound of rice and red onions, this was the best entrée of the three.
Kadayif, baked shredded wheat filled with chopped walnuts and garnished with pistachios was flavored with honey syrup and needed more crunch. House-made rice pudding with a pinch of cinnamon was so creamy that we were fighting over the last spoonful.
While the prices are extremely reasonable with most entrees under $20, portions (except for the manti) were small. A lunch special offered Monday through Friday, noon to 3 PM, includes an appetizer, entrée and beverage for $10.95—a notable deal.
Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner.
BTW, how did I know that I was in an authentic Turkish restaurant? The directions in the bathroom were also written in Turkish.
Directions above sink in Hunkar bathroom.
Mezes.
Photos courtesy of Lowell and Rosalie Saferstein
Hunkar Restaurant
319 Hackensack Street
Carlstadt
201-507-0606
BYO
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