When you enter the Black Sea, owner/chef Ali Akilli will always cheerfully greet you and this opening jesture is an presage of the dining experience you'll find tucked into the Hamline Unversity neighborhood.
There are other very notible Mediterranean cooking establishments in the Twin Cities and you might find items on Greek, Lebonese, and a variety of falfaffel joints indistinguishable but this was one of the first and only Turkish restaurants in the metro. The food here is plentiful and great for sharing with a date or groups out for the night.
If you order a Meze Platter for 2 ($4.95) you will get a heaping plate of hummus, feta, tomatoes, peppers, cabbage rolls, and olives served with peta bread. Snack on this for a while and you'll get up and walk home thinking you ate dinner. But wait, there's more to be had for a few dollars. Grilled chicken, beef, and lamb gyro-style sandwiches called Doner Kebab or Tavuk Kebab (Chicken) are all on the menu for under $4. You can order plates of rotisserie beef, chicken and lamb for $6.65 that are a kings portion. A large piece of baklava is only $1.75.
The wait staff is always friendly and the unisex bathroom is memorable
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