Babylon Delivers Turkish Cuisine At Its Finest In Taste Of The Town
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MIAMI (CBSMiami) -- Smack in the center of South Beach is a new restaurant that makes diners feel like they're a world away. In this week's Taste of the Town, CBS4's Lisa Petrillo samples Babylon's authentic Turkish food and its ambience.
You'll feel like you've been transported into a country a world away when arriving at Babylon Turkish Restaurant on Miami Beach.
The elegant and colorful space on Washington Avenue and 6th Street is filled with genuine artifacts and treasures from old and new Turkey, including the chandeliers and sconces.
"They are homemade from bits of broken glass from Turkey," said Chef and co-owner Ahmet Demir. "We collect lots of them in garden bazaar and other items from east of Turkey."
Babylon opened last May with Ahmet in the kitchen preparing the favorite foods he grew up on. It's a concept he understands and loves and there's a reason for the name.
"We do have a great garden. We wanted to make it like Babylonian hanging gardens. Since people like to hang at gardens in Miami so we tried to bring the soul of Babylon which is in Mesopotamia in the Middle East.
In the kitchen, Ahmet prepared a traditional Turkish dish for Lisa called Ali Nazik. It's a bed of roasted eggplant mixed with garlic yogurt topped with grilled lamb and beef, seasoned with spices.
"That is a real comfort food on a night when you need a little extra TLC. The lamb and onions with the puree of eggplant is beyond," described Lisa.
Service is also a big part of the experience at Babylon and Ahmet says it's another reason the restaurant is becoming a locals favorite.
"We make the connections to their hearts with the food first and the service afterwards," said Ahmet.
Back to that food and Lisa's next dish.
The Meza platter is cold appetizers with Tsatziki, hummus and more.
Lisa described the traditional Turkish pita bread as fluffier than others and dipping it yogurt garlic and other tasty treats was delish!
Another dish prepared for Lisa was the Icli Kofte. It's wheat bulgur stuffed with seasoned ground lamb, pine nuts and spices.
"Mmmm, there's cracked wheat on the outside and it's got some kick. It's got some spice," described Lisa.
It was so spicy, she replied, "Better wash that down with a traditional Turkish beer called Efes.
Plate after plate, Babylon delivers Turkish cuisine at its finest.
It's open 7-days a week, lunch and dinner. ��For more info: www.Babylononmiamibeach.com
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