Tucked away in the back streets of Southwark, Tas Pide is the sister-restaurant of the popular Tas. But there’s one big difference that this sibling offers: Turkish pizza. Typically for a Saturday evening, this meant that the restaurant was heaving, so I was relieved that my friend had booked us a table. Or should I say stools?! The tables were, as they are in Turkey, low-lying and the chairs, decorated with Turkish tapestry work, small. Nevertheless, our table was in prime location for the live Turkish music that began mid-way through our meal.
The service was slightly erratic. The maître D was moody (when we sat down at said booked table, she complained that it wasn’t yet ready for us) and the waiters were reluctant to swap ingredients, perhaps the reason why the requested feta was initially missing on my pizza (surely even a Turkish pizza should have cheese?). But the freshly baked Turkish bread, Ispanakli yoghurt and olives that are provided complementary to all tables made up for it. The yoghurt, delicately flavoured with fresh dill and olive oil, was fresh and light – the perfect accompaniment to the sesame seed-encrusted Turkish bread.
With a range of vege pizzas on offer, my companion and I were spoilt for choice. I opted for their Patlicanli with extra feta (£7.15). Topped with grilled aubergines, grilled tomatoes, cubanelle peppers, sesame seeds, garlic and balsamic dressing, the pizza was wholesome if a little too saucy. The aubergines also made the dish slightly soggy. Given their tendency to soak up oil, I’ve always been suspicious of aubergines on pizza and on this occasion, my anxieties proved to be true.
After all the breads and pizza, we were too full for a desert. The table next to us did order one, however which I inspected from a distance: an enormous stuffed pastry oozing with chocolate and pistachios. Essentially, it was a giant baklava. But even they seemed to be struggling to finish this sweet, sticky creation.
For its authentic atmosphere, unique Turkish pizzas and delicious Ispanakli yoghurt, Tas Pide is one of the better Turkish restaurants I’ve tried and an alternative to one of Southbank’s chains. But I don’t think I’ll return..
Tas Pide, 22-23 New Globe Walk, SE1 9DR
Website: http://www.tasrestaurants.co.uk/pide.html
Rating: **
Yumtini 