Mere weeks after opening, Bus Grill Turkish Steakhouse (Bus, hereafter) snagged Trip Advisor’s number one restaurant rating, riding a wave of five-star reviews that include heavy use of the word ‘best.’
Yet, when approaching the Coco Park location, Bus appears to be a theme restaurant. It’s decked out with faux tires, a bus-like LED and looks very much a large-red form of public transport.
Thankfully, the theme doesn’t extend inside, where red-cushioned diner-style seating and upscale cutlery showcase the expert eye of the man in the driver’s seat, Birol Dincli.
Owing to a food and beverage career spanning seven countries and two Michelin-starred restaurants, Dincli has whipped Bus into a professional operation right out of the gate.
With staff recruited from a top Shenzhen hotel, service is uncomplicated, fast and friendly as a divine lahmacun (RMB48), or Turkish pizza, is set down. The mildly spicy minced lamb is mixed with bits of parsley and tomato before being spread over a wafer of dough. Before folding up a slice and chowing down, diners squeeze a lemon wedge over the dish and wipe it with a mint leaf, creating a melody of unexpected flavors for the simple-looking dish.
Looking towards the mains, the Lokum Wagyu beef fillet (RMB 198) is five slices of premium tenderloin, seasoned with black pepper and chunks of sea salt, served with roasted garlic, potato and creamed spinach.
Despite the ‘steakhouse’ moniker, there are a fair few vegetarian options. Marked by a carrot on the menu are the RMB68 Turkish garden salad and the RMB68 spoon salad, a bowl of almost-minced vegetables, including tomato, onion, and parsley topped with crushed Turkish walnuts. The spoon salad eschews balsamic vinegar for pomegranate syrup, creating a slightly sweet experience.
Wine-wise, Bus gives some love to the whites, a refreshing from the ever-popular full-bodied reds. The crisp La Joya Reserva Sauvignon Blanc goes for RMB58 a glass or RMB248 a bottle. A bit pricey, but at Bus’s prime location that is to be expected.
With excellent service, quality ingredients and reasonable prices, Bus Grill Turkish Steakhouse will no doubt enter regular rotation for Shenzhen foodies – no wonder they already recommend reservations.
Price: RMB200
Who’s going: net review writers, meat lovers
Good for: steak, casual diners, groups, grilled food
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