Lalezar is a Taste of Ottoman Empire

I’ve passed by Lalezar many times in Montclair and was always impressed by the colorful décor of the restaurant.

The Turkish restaurant is boldly decorated with deep red walls, yellow curtains, subdued lighting and soft Turkish music playing in the background to set the mood.

It didn't take long to feel comfortable inside. We asked our friendly waitress what Lalezar means in Turkish, and were told it means “tulip,” which we saw etched into the windows of the restaurant.

We started our  dining adventure with a bowl of Ezogelin Corbasi ($4.50), red lentil soup. The soup featured a thick pumpkin-colored broth, chunks of crushed red lentils and other vegetables. Surrounding the bowl were flakes of sumac, a spice we found enhanced the flavor of the dish. A slice of lemon was provided that brought out additional flavors in the soup.

Another appetizer was the Yaprak Sarma ($7), grape leaves stuffed with rice, pine nuts and onions flavored with herbs and olive oil. The four leaves were a hearty dish, but we wish this appetizer was served at room temperature instead of cold.

We also ordered the Sigara Boregi ($7), crispy, egg roll-like phyllo with warm feta cheese stuffing and parsley. This dish was a big hit at our table. The feta was warm enough to be melted, but not so hot that it burned your mouth. The phyllo was so crunchy, it made a distinct sound each time we bit into the appetizer.

We also tried the Mucver ($7), a fried zucchini appetizer served as small pancakes with a yogurt dipping sauce.  The crispy pancakes were deliciously prepared with no oily aftertaste and the dipping sauce enhanced the flavor of the pancakes.

Because the appetizers were so filling, we decided to order one entrée and share. We wanted to try so many things that we chose the Karisik ($30), a platter featuring chunks of lamb, a small lamb chop, beef and a small chicken breast, along with a grilled tomato and grilled spicy pepper. All entrées at Lalezar are accompanied by a choice of  white rice, bulgur pilaf or French fries. We chose the bulgur pilaf.

When the platter arrived, the aromas wafting off the plate enticed us. We first tried the chunks of grilled lamb, which was delightfully moist and well spiced and prepared, bringing out the meat’s flavor. The small lamb chop on the platter was cooked to perfection as well. The platter also contained what appeared to be a portion of shredded lamb. We asked our waitress about this and she said the dish is stewed for 24 hours before being served. The lamb practically falls off the chop and is a soft and tasty treat.

Besides the lamb on the platter, the dish had pieces of grilled beef, prepared to perfection with grill marks on the side of the beef. The beef was soft, tasty, well spiced and flavored and a delicious counterpart to the lamb.

We thought the grilled pepper was perhaps the spiciest part of the meal. Taken in small quantities, however, the pepper was easily digestible and tasty. It added just the right accompaniments to the meat dishes.

For dessert, we knew exactly what we wanted – the baklava ($6), and like the rest of the meal at Lalezar, we were not disappointed.  The baklava, a rich, sweet pastry made of layers of phyllo pastry filled with chopped nuts and sweetened with syrup or honey, was the perfect ending to the meal. The sweet cakes were tasty and filling and ended our meal on a (sugar) high note.

Some things to note about Lalezar: 

• Parking is limited to metered parking on Bloomfield Avenue.
• All meals are served with a basket of thick pida bread and olive oil.
• Some of the items listed on the online menu were no longer offered at the restaurant.
• The restaurant is BYOB.
• The restrooms are large and clean. They are handicapped accessible, but only if you dine on the main floor. Otherwise, there is a two-step rise to get to the main level.
• On Saturday nights, the restaurant offers entertainment with belly dancing.
• Dining checks arrive in a small, decorative box.

Lalezar
720 Bloomfield Ave.
Montclair, New Jersey

(973) 233-1984

Hours:
Mon-Thu 11:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat 11:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m.
Sun 12 p.m.-10:30 p.m.

BYOB