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Plymouth
Shirley Valentine's Taverna

The friendly charm of a family-run Mediterranean restaurant blends easily with the bustling merriment of Plymouth's historic Barbican at Shirley Valentine's Taverna. Owners Amanda and Ismail have wisely not attempted to fuse the two types of cuisine on offer, with separate menus of Turkish and Greek dishes; but what they have borrowed is an informal and arty feel from Plymouth's culturally vibrant harbourside quarter.

The taverna's friendly service and buzzing atmosphere could have come from either culture - we ate there on a Friday evening and the place was full of laughter and conversation. We chose stuffed vine leaves and potato croquettes from a good selection of starters, which included salads, dips and traditional mezes. For my main course I tried souvlaki - marinated pork grilled to juicy, tender perfection; as well as a traditional yoghurt dip, this came with a generous side salad, rice and grilled vegetables. The menu also includes fresh local fish and a very good range of vegetarian options.

Decadently sweet desserts such as the delicious baklava are a Turkish speciality, and there were plenty of syrupy delights on offer. I finished the evening with a Turkish coffee, and it was great to see Ismail (who, by the way, cooks all the food himself) take a seat in the restaurant at the end of the evening. Ismail takes obvious pleasure in the compliments from his customers; their appreciation sets strong foundations for what is sure to be a glittering future for this charming eatery.

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