QUENTE the Brazilian Steakhouse

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:22

Di Figaro, as it was; is in an exquisite situation overlooking the sea in Karaoglanoglu, now taken over by the Golden Tulip group it offers a Brazilian menu, with a plethora of meat dishes typical of that country.

At 49 tl, with starters and dessert it is an offer too tempting to miss, We ate there for Sunday lunch and were given a 20% discount.

It is a beautiful restaurant, our table looked out over the Mediterranean but the ambiance was destroyed by very loud Salsa music, we were surprised no one had asked for it to make quieter, we did; the owner obliged, we placed our order.

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:23

The starters were very well presented, looking very appetising, a small onion filled with rice gently spiced

and seasoned, black eyed beans the least interesting of the selection, an artichoke bottom with mixed vegetables this was bland and the artichoke was overcooked but still enjoyable, Aubergine salad was served but it was so delicious, creamy and full of flavour I had to ask what it was !, and a thin slice of tasty Carpaccio.

Hot starters were brought to us impaled on miniature swords; Banana coated in crumb and crisply fried, soft eating Polenta again crisply fried, hot slices of tender Hellim and chicken and potato croquettes.

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:25

Ready for our meat course, a selection of fresh vegetables individually cooked `al dente` in water; then finished in seasoned butter, was served Potatos Bravos , sadly far from the best we have eaten, but a minor hitch in the quality of the food so far.

The first MEAT offered was a leg of lamb cooked perfectly, so you could select well done or pink, it was tender and tasty, as good as any lamb we have eaten here in the past 7 years.

Next were barbequed chunks of marinated , moist soft eating chicken, then grilled lamb chops blackened from the charcoal but pink and moist inside, boneless and curled up like a steak; tiny hearts of chicken were served, these were dry and surprisingly lacked any flavour.

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:25

Then came the beef! , pieces of steak marinated skewered and grilled, tough as boot leather, then small rounds of beef fillet, perfectly cooked ; pink inside, crispy, nearly burnt on the outside, sadly to tough to eat, great for our doggie bag, but we forgot it !

The last offering of beef saved the day, beef ribs in the oven, long cooked, the only way with TRNC beef; meltingly succulent, falling off the bone and delicious, we will make these ourselves!

Perhaps Quente will be able to import Brazilian beef as our friend imports burgers from America for the very successful Johnnie Rockets, in Famagusta ?

Until then we recommend avoiding the grilled beef, the other meats are plenty for a great meal.

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:26

Not finished yet! A plate of very well presented fruit arrived, pineapple, two kinds of melon, kiwi, oranges, and of course coffee if we wanted it, and all for 49 tl!



We drank a pleasant bottle of Trevento Chardonnay, expensive at 40tl but I thought the 20% discount had saved us that.

In the near future Quente will have Concha y Toro, very good wine from Chilli; we look forward to trying it

Perhaps with some beef from Brazil!! And some more of the delicious recipes from that part of the world.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:27

"Then came the beef! , pieces of steak marinated skewered and grilled, tough as boot leather, then small rounds of beef fillet, perfectly cooked ; pink inside, crispy, nearly burnt on the outside, sadly to tough to eat, great for our doggie bag, but we forgot it ! "



I don't think anyone else will forget it...

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:27

We were told the Brazilian meat would be available on the menu in 2-3 week's time.



It is worth visiting the restaurant in 3-4 week's time.



Enjoy your meal !

andrew4232



Joined: 04/07/2009
Posts: 1543

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 13:53

i went just after it opened and was also told that they would be using imported meat within 2 weeks, how many weeks ago was that quite a few, now it seems to be apart of the script, sorry why dont they just say no its local meat and leave it at that

dublinderm


Joined: 26/09/2009
Posts: 538

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 14:01

Brazilian beef?



90% hormones, 8% anti-boitics, 2% meat.





Yum Yum!!!!!!





DD

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 14:18

Re : Msg 7,



" Enjoy your meal!"



Marisa, do you seriously want us to enjoy an "overcooked artichok", "Potatos Bravos , sadly far from the best we have eaten", "tiny hearts of chicken, dry and surprisingly lacked any flavour", " beef fillet, pink inside, crispy, nearly burnt on the outside, sadly to tough to eat, great for our doggie bag", "And some more of the delicious recipes from that part of the world..."?



Or is it your notion of a joke?

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 16:56

"Enjoy your meal!"

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 17:25

All that most retired, trad. Brit expats want is a TRNC restaurant replica of the good old 'Bernie's Inn' steakhouse, instead of all this 'supposed to be trendy' guts-ache crap!



Anybody agree?

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 17:35

Oh, Tenakoutou,

Bernie Inns!

Prawn cocktail, steak with fried mushrooms, and Black Forest Gateaux, followed by one of those liqueur coffees in a glass, smothered in floating cream...

We used to think that it was the height of sophistication, and who'd have thought that we'd be sat here today, drinking 'Chateau de Chassellay'?...

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 19:49

Here, one may as well drink imported 'Chateau de Box', rather than pay the outrageous prices for less than mediocre, flagon-type gut-rot that some of these companies have the affront to decant into bottles and blatantly label with names of respectable French wines!

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 20:04

Sorry - that should have read: 'Chateau de Carton' - me brain must be at half-mast - thanks Mr. Efes!

lulubell


Joined: 18/11/2008
Posts: 595

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 21:41

Marisa



Can you explain what eating chicken is??



eating chicken served as opposed to non eating chicken? Is this something special from brazil

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 21:45

lulubell



Glad you brought that up - I wondered whether it was 'eating chicken' as opposed to, perhaps, 'drinking chicken'



As you say, perhaps a Brazilian speciality?



Hope all is well with you



Jean

x

lulubell


Joined: 18/11/2008
Posts: 595

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 21:50

Hi Jean



all is good thanks hope same with you.. well you know like to keep with the times and thought perhaps this was some new type of chicken i did not know about!!!!!



we wait with baited breathe jeannie to find out the update on eating chicken!!!



x

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 22:20

Give me a good old Angus Steak House any time.

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 22:36

Jeannie,

I was wondering as well, I'm glad that someone else mentioned it

The same applies to 'eating Polenta' - presumably as opposed to the sort that you use to stick breeze blocks together

Anyway, I must stop being naughty - I did think that it was very kind of Marisa to post such a detailed account of the food, and to give a balanced judgement at the end.

It was much appreciated, Marisa, despite our somewhat ribald remarks, thank you very much for taking the time to post your review .......and......SORRY!

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
23/06/2010 23:51

keith i love polenta xxxxxxx

TheScarlets



Joined: 14/04/2009
Posts: 877

Message Posted:
24/06/2010

Too bloody expensive especially if you fancy a few slurps



Ian

Clarissa2


Joined: 12/06/2009
Posts: 1476

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 02:09

Re : Msg 16&17,



Ladies,

I am curious too about this chicken as well as "white lemon and almond soup" from Marisa's previous review of Ginko restaurant in Famagusta.

Advancement in genetic engineering?

Or are we witnessing inauguration of the successor to Egon Ronay?

Tootie


Joined: 28/08/2008
Posts: 2037

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 02:38

I've been to Burger City tonight and had a great meal.

Now are you all gonna rip my post to pieces??



How many of you have been to this Brazilian restaurant ?

Ive been told by lots of people its cr@p but I know they not even been.... yet ?

juliamoons



Joined: 14/05/2009
Posts: 849

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 06:19

I went on Tuesday, wow it was pretty windy out on the terrace. It sure is an interesting place to eat, certainly is different. All of the meat seemed to be perfectly cooked, nice and pink etc., but there was no way I could eat the chicken hearts.

Tenakoutou



Joined: 27/07/2009
Posts: 4110

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 07:01

As in many former Eastern Bloc countries, they eat chicken claws; and you're liable to be served a cuppa soup with a coupla chook claws - they relish it - my opinion: 'chunder tucker'!

jacktheladett


Joined: 01/07/2008
Posts: 528

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 08:13

Four of us went last night, and it was packed, mainly locals - probably only one other table of Brits. Being out on the terrace was just about ok with the wind, ladies were given wraps if they were chilly. The service was very good all waiters friendly and knew what they were doing, the meal process was explained well.



Marisa has given the main details so I won't bother, just to say all the meat apart from one of the beef selections near the end - which was tough - was very tasty, the lamb was delicious. The hot meze items were all lovely, but the cold ones a bit hit and miss. We asked for extras - veg and potatoes - without any problems. What we didn't like was them being stingy with the meat, 1 slice for someone and then onto the next person - unless you ask for more, you don't get it!



We all decided it was a good experience and nice enough food, but enough to go back, no. It's expensive for what you get.

Jeannie


Joined: 04/08/2009
Posts: 3283

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 11:12

Marisa



I would like to second Keith's message No. 20 in thanking you for the time spent detailing the food available.



Clarissa, message No. 23 - an interesting concept



Jean

raidercruise


Joined: 07/06/2010
Posts: 237

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 12:00

where is this located.

Marisa


Joined: 23/04/2009
Posts: 545

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 14:36

The restaurant is behind TEMPO supermarket in Karaoglanoglu, follow the sign.

ozwozz86


Joined: 24/10/2008
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 23:17

Just went tonight with my mum...



Felt like a steak - and thought quento would provide being a 'steakhouse'. Didn't really want the 'full works' menu though so asked if just do steak then were offered the general menu of which there was pepper steak, mushroom steak and T-Bone steak - was expecting a bit more to be honest. Fish, pastas and salads were also available.



Everything was... 'ok', wouldn't really rush back. Waiters and hostess were friendly though, can't fault them there. Just thought there would be a few more steak options so that was main disapointment. Steaks were ok to good, not amazing. But we had a nice night none the less.



Love the inside of the place, and in fairness their main dish is the 'set menu' thing Marisa has tried, so if you fancy a big meal may be give it a go.



Andrea

Lilli



Joined: 21/07/2008
Posts: 13081

Message Posted:
24/06/2010 23:21

if its steak you want then give us a try. we hang our meat for 3 plus weeks ask anybody who has tried our steaks x

ozwozz86


Joined: 24/10/2008
Posts: 336

Message Posted:
25/06/2010 00:05

thanks lilli but if was going beyond walking distance would be straight into town to C.Miles for a mexican steak (fave dish)...was more just trying to say opinion on quente itself though then start seperate post on people's opinions on 'where to get best steak'.



BACK TO QUENTE - can of diet coke was 5.50tl, don't personally like paying over 4, but then again can appreciate what goes into maintaining large building like that and decor was quite nice. Had also heard was a bit pricey, so own fault really, won't moan about it! BUt that was the price so up yo everyone to form their own opinion.



The 'dolma' type thing on the starter dish was nice, and my mum hadn't really had dolma before and enjoyed it.



Think thats about all on topic

keithcaley



Joined: 13/06/2008
Posts: 2521

Message Posted:
29/06/2010 22:05

Well, I was tempted by Marisa's frank description, and it was my 'turn to choose' - so we went there!

Unconventional format to the 'Standard Meal' - and I won't spoil it by revealing all, you'll have to go along and try for yourself.

All 6 in the party thoroughly enjoyed the experience, - and the food!

Expensive, but something to remember, - well worth it.

I won't be going every week though!

scruffdog


Joined: 09/12/2008
Posts: 742

Message Posted:
30/06/2010 09:28

Keithcaley, agree with you, 4 of us went on saturday and thoroughly enjoyed the meal, had to give up before the end serving as we were full. The drink prices are ott 45th for a bottle of Angora, but food excellent. Great place for a special occasion. Only critisizm, a lady was changing here 2 yr olds nappy on the sofa at the bar, and they only serve Turkish coffee or nescafe.

SiLvAqUeEn


Joined: 22/01/2009
Posts: 138

Message Posted:
30/06/2010 18:16

my sister got food poisining there.

mocio


Joined: 25/10/2010
Posts: 83

Message Posted:
23/11/2010 21:35

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