Here’s the low-down on the latest action-

The Beef: Firstly, loved the vibe. Casual yet still upscale with an open kitchen and wood fired oven. Service was exceptional, not like Michelin 5-star level, which can be overbearing but just a friendly smile and warm attitude.

The food – wow. So down-to-earth, with no need to be ostentatious (as are the prices)- just simple, good quality ingredients done well. Definitely my new go-to Mediterranean spot.

Complimentary bread, a perfectly puffed pita, was served while we waited for our cold and hot starter. Mixed mezze platter (68rmb) consisted of hummus, tzatziki, and a tomato salsa dip served with ample carbs for dipping. Amongst the trio, the tzatziki was the standout as you could really taste the richness of the Greek yogurt. Zucchini pancakes (55rmb) were the lightest, fluffiest, and yummiest we’ve had in recent memory.

Another must-order dish that made us go OMG – Minced Beef & Lamb Pide (76rmb, they have several options on the menu). This one was oozing with such melty-cheesy-doughy-meaty goodness with just the right amount of crispy crust.

And to top it all off, you’ve not fully experienced Turkish cuisine until you’ve washed it all down with a cup of salty yogurt water (literally the 3 main ingredients)– aka ayran (38rmb). So refreshing and good for your gut bacteria.

The Gang: We got there for a late lunch the weekend with only a few tables – small groups and families, mostly Chinese with a sprinkle of laowai.

The Motive: Extremely well-executed Mediterranean food in a simple yet lovely setting, which would be befitting for a casual lunch or elegant date night. Specials on most days of the week – Tues: 50% off main dishes after 5pm; Wed: BOGO Burger; Thurs: Rib eye steak & glass of wine for 198rmb (dinner).

The Damage: 299rmb for 2 for a late lunch. Did not order alcohol, but we did manage to overstuff ourselves with food.

The Down n’ Dirty: The loo here is shared with the office building next door, so you have to exit the restaurant and take the flight of stairs – a modest post-meal exercise. Cleanly kept on the weekend, not too sure what the weekday situation might look like when the office bees are around.

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I'm a big fan of Turkish food. I went to Urban Grill with high expectation and it sure didn’t fail me! First of all, the atmosphere was perfect with yellow lights and open kitchen. (The table next to me proves this since it was a couple, and the lady was holding a rose bouquet.) And the service was definitely on point!

We had couple of dishes and they were all excellent!

Cheese Carnival Pide (68 RMB) - Look amazing and taste just as good! With great amount of cheese on top of the dough, it’s crispy on the edges and soft in the middle. Definitely a must!

Egg And Spinach (RMB) – It was served in the hot pan with enough amount of spices. It’s very simple yet delicious. At the end of the dish the staff found out it herself it wasn’t cook as it should be (Didn’t affect anything to be honest), and offered us a dessert, which is super nice of her.

Chicken skewer (98 RMB) – The chicken was tender and juicy, served with grilled vegetables, which were mouth-watering tasty. This is probably my favorite dishes among all.

Ice cream – As I mentioned, they are nice enough to offer us an ice cream. It’s stretchy and thick, filling with vanilla smell.

Loving the food, the feel, and the service. If you are looking for Mediterranean food, Urban Grill will be a great choice to be!

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