EDL Bites: A Quick Lunch at Kapadoccia

Restaurants

Mar 6

Written By Kunmi O

When we eat (or drink) somewhere and don’t try enough things on the menu to give it a full, well-rounded review, we sum up our experience in an ‘EDL Bites’ post instead. Enjoy!

Kapadoccia

16 Idowu Taylor Street, Victoria Island | Instagram | 0908 845 1901

We'd been meaning to check out Kapadoccia for some time now, and last Thursday somehow seemed like the right time. I arrived at their entrance just a little after opening time, following a quick reservation made over the phone.

Not because I'm into aesthetics or needed a fire pic of the "first and only cave restaurant in Lagos" for my feed, but just so I could see if there was any substance to the restaurant.

Things started off a bit shaky — because the security guard asked me how he could help me as I approached the entryway (🤦🏾‍♀️) and even after things should have been in gear, there was still a lot of scuttling around as the staff weren't ready for opening. I was getting a bit irritated with it all, but the server who 'handled' me helped smooth things over.

Spicy Garlic Pita Bread

I got served a complimentary appetizer first — oh, I realize just now as I'm writing this that it was probably a way to apologize for the initial sloppiness? — which was all kinds of delicious. It was toasted spicy garlic pita bread, with chunks of what tasted like goat's cheese (I live for good cheese) and a spiked mayo on the side. All went beautifully together and I sort of wish I could have that for breakfast every day. Kind of.

My mocktail came next. The thing is, I'm over cocktails in Lagos, for the time being, so I went for the nicest-sounding non-alcoholic option — a Strawberry Chamomile Martini — and sent a prayer up. Not sure why it was called a martini though, because that, by definition, needs alcohol, but what do I know?

Thankfully, it was also delicious, and even though I was battling a gangster cold, I went all in.

Strawberry Chamomile Martini

Where disappointment entered the matter was with the main. I ordered the Chicken Kebab with Grilled Vegetables and Potatoes, and it looked great, y'all. I did really just enjoy looking at it and taking photos of it, but the first bite didn't match up to expectations.

The potatoes weren't salted well enough (can't overemphasize how important this is to home cooks and chefs too, apparently) and seemed like they could have done with a little more time in the oven. Also, the only grilled vegetables on the plate were tomatoes. So, yeah.

The chicken kebab was slightly overdone, and that made it tough, dry, and a little bit difficult to swallow. As for the seasoning, my opinion was alternating a little bit between "is there enough of it, or am I just too Nigerian?" and "nah, this is actually okay." The only thing I really enjoyed — aside from the presentation — was the naan that came along with it. Not because of any particular reason… I just like naan 🤷🏾‍♀️.

**Chicken Kebab with Grilled Vegetables and Potatoes**

As I mentioned, it feels like a one-time visit to me. Although I enjoyed the appetizer and drink a lot, it's not enough to take me back, unfortunately.

That being said, if someone invited me to dinner and I wasn't paying, I could very well come through.