In a Changing Staten Island, Refined Turkish

Published on Monday, December 7, 2009, by Mark Hokoda / Edit Post

The Turkish food at Seaside is quite good and a notch more refined than average, BMartin suggests. Adana kebabs of hand-chopped lamb are a standout, as is a hot appetizer platter of falafel, grilled liver, fried calamari, and lamb-stuffed phyllo "cigars." "So good food. A little expensive," BMartin concludes. Flaco likes the lamb shawarma and Turkish bread, fresh out of an oven that also turns out pizza and calzones. "No complaints at all," he writes, "with some very nice touches."

Seaside replaced an old-timers' bar near the boardwalk in Staten Island's South Beach, and its uncertain pedigree speaks to a changing borough. BMartin hears Turkish music and Russian conversation in the air. Flaco describes the owners as "'Russian,' which could mean anything in South Beach, with kitchen staff ranging from Albania to Puebla." The Turkish beer Efes is on tap, he observes, "so someone is really trying to keep the Ottomans happy."

Seaside [Staten Island]
124 Ocean Avenue (near Robin Road), Staten Island
718-727-9000

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  • I tried the spicy cigars which are made of ground lamb with yougart sauce.
    My friend and I shared the appetizer, then I ordered another one just for myself because it was so good. Two days later I am thinking of passing by again because I keep thinking about those delicious spicy cigars.
    I started with the hot bread out of the oven and the mesculin salad with walnuts and cranberries. But my...+READ

    I tried the spicy cigars which are made of ground lamb with yougart sauce.
    My friend and I shared the appetizer, then I ordered another one just for myself because it was so good. Two days later I am thinking of passing by again because I keep thinking about those delicious spicy cigars.
    I started with the hot bread out of the oven and the mesculin salad with walnuts and cranberries. But my favorite it the branzini fish. Very light and delicate white fish. Turkish waitress was very attentive. Afterwards we took a stroll cross the street to the boardwalk. It was a very nice evening.-COLLAPSE