Bar Meze, 146 London Road, Headington. 01865 761106

Bar Meze is situated in the centre of Headington, next to the Post Office and opposite Bury Knowle Park.

My boyfriend and I went for a meal on a Friday evening; we had booked a table and were shown straight to it. The interior of the restaurant has quite a cosy mediteranean feel, with terracotta walls and tables, comfy chairs and cushioned benches at the front alongside a long bar which serves cocktails as well as the usual beers, wine and spirits. Behind the bar area, the restaurant has mainly circular tables, with a conservatory at the back in which the tables for two are situated. The Turkish decor is attractive, with wall-mounted and ceiling-suspended lamps, lucky charms inlaid into the tile flooring, and background music at just the right level to be heard without being intrusive. The restaurant was full (and always has been when I've visited before), so advanced booking is recommended. The separated seating areas make it ideal for both group visits and romantic dining.

The service was excellent, the waitress taking our drinks order almost immediately, and we sat contemplating the menu while munching our way through a small dish of olives, sun-dried tomatoes and chillis. We decided on the Turkish Efes beer, but can also recommend the Turkish Villa Dolluca wine from a previous visit. We chose three mezes (£3 each, or 3 for £8, 6 for £12, 9 for £16) to share as starters from their large selection of cold and hot mezes (any more than this and we tend to struggle with the main course!): Borek (filo pastry filled with feta cheese and chopped parsley), Sucuk Izgara (thin slices of spicy beef) and (my favourite!) Patlican Tava (charcoal-cooked aubergine served with a spicy tomato sauce). These were served very promptly with a basket of warm pitta bread, and devoured very quickly.

For our main courses, I had the chicken brochette (£11) and my boyfriend had the moussaka (£11). (The main courses range from £10-£14.) You also get a choice of sauté potatoes, French fries or basmati rice included in the price. Both dishes came very quickly after the starters had been cleared and were huge. My plate had six or seven big pieces of succulent chicken breast with peppers and onions sat on a pitta bread and a very fresh side salad. The moussaka was again enormous, and looked very fresh - this was also served with side salad. Both dishes were hot. The fries and rice that we chose were brought out on separate plates and again were both hot and tasty (and the rice had pine nuts in it).

Throughout the meal we were asked if everything was to our satisfaction (once by a man who I presumed was the owner).

Our plates were cleared and we were asked if we wanted desserts or coffee. We had a look, but were too full - if you still have room at this point however, I can from past experience fully recommend the baklava. Desserts weigh in at around the £5 mark. We decided to have more drinks, and moved to the front of the restaurant for these, staying for another half an hour or so before dragging ourselves away. Our total bill came to just over £48 for 3 mezes, two mains, 5 beers and a cocktail. If you wanted a slightly cheaper night, I would suggest sharing 16 mezes and a bottle of wine (total cost around £30).

The restaurant also has a jazz evening on a Monday night, and a lunchtime meal offer of 2 mezes and a glass of house wine, beer or soft drink for £6. Having visited Bar Meze several times in different contexts and found it equally enjoyable, I fully recommend you try it.

Teresa Willis, 8.11.04