Possibly the most densely populated stretch of Bristol when it comes to eating out options, for a restaurant to stand out on Gloucester Road it has to really cut the mustard.

The Venue
A few doors up from the popular Prom bar, Ezo presents itself with a little outside table area opening onto the pavement enclosed by an odd-looking low wall, which is a bit reminiscent of stone cladding. The outside looks kind of tacky with a Zoro-esque emblem above the entrance. But appearances can be deceptive.

Inside it is a pleasant surprise to be greeted with a smallish, square restaurant adorned with gorgeous Turkish art and expertly lit and sumptuous decor that very effectively summons a sense of the sensual near east.

The People
The ambient music and surroundings create a very relaxing and cosy atmosphere. It seems to be a popular place for romantic meals for two, and seldom appears overly busy. The staff give you a warm welcome when you arrive and remain attentive and friendly for the duration of the meal.

The Food
Ezo serves up a decent choice of original Turkish dishes. There is the option to take away, but with such lovely surroundings you would be missing out on half the point of coming here. Your orders are either oven cooked or barbecued in an open kitchen at the back of the restaurant, depending on what you order.

The cold mix mezze starter, £6.95, looks great on the plate and is just the right size to whet your appetite rather than spoil it. There is a limited choice of mains for vegetarians as most dishes are fish or meat based. Kids options are available.

The Adana kebab, archetypal Turkish fare doesn’t disappoint: the rice is perfect, the meat succulent and lightly spiced. The side salad and vegetables that are served with it don’t add much to the meal in the way of presentation or taste, but in spite of this it is a thoroughly enjoyable dish.

The baklava dessert – nutty, syrupy layers of filo pastry – is one of the best you are likely to taste, and inexpensive too: a couple of slices cost £4.50.

The Drink
They do some interesting liqueurs in this place. One particularly memorable is dark, thick and cherry flavoured, perfect to wash the baklava down with. The wine is cheapish (£15 a bottle) and cheerful, but there’s not much choice with only a few bottles to choose from.

The local bottled beer, Efes, is reasonably priced and provides a very nice complement to the Turkish food. The usual soft drinks and juices are also available for just under £2. Sadly Ezo don’t do Turkish teas, but alternatively you can round the meal off with a tar-y, sweet traditional-style cup of Turkish coffee.

The Last Word
This is a delightful little Turkish restaurant which perhaps lets itself down a little on the presentation of its dishes and poor choice of wine. It compensates for these drawbacks amply though, with excellent service and good value for money.

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