Pars Kahve

5-7 Watergate Street, South, Chester CH1 2LE

01244 327117

 

ONE of Chester’s newest eateries, Pars Kahve had been on my radar since I was offered a tray of authentic Turkish delight perhaps a year earlier.

Being more than familiar with breakfast in its full English, Irish, Scottish, American and Continental varities, I was intrigued by the prospect of a Turkish breakfast without really knowing what it would entail.

So, when I was in the city for a tattoo, I made sure to arrive a bit early to try one.

Cited in a perfect location of Watergate Street’s iconic Rows, the exterior of Pars Kahve, who contrary to the voice in my head did not play for Liverpool in the late 90s, is different enough to stand out in a very crowded marketplace.

The Leader: Pars Kahve on The Rows in Chester.Pars Kahve on The Rows in Chester. (Image: Newsquest)

The logo on the sign outside is an exotic-looking leopard wearing a fez. Being someone who appreciates big cats in peakless hats, I knew I was on to a winner.

Pars Kahve’s website tells us that it is a family business, set up by husband and wife Adem and Holly who met in Istanbul before moving to the UK.

The Leader: Pars Kahve where you can opt to dine on The Rows.Pars Kahve where you can opt to dine on The Rows. (Image: Newsquest)

There is the option to eat and drink outside on Turkish rugs and cushions. I, however, decided to dine indoors.

HUNGRY FOR MORE?

The large windows give the interior of the café a light airy feel, and the tables are well-placed as to give a feeling of space.

One thing Pars Kahve has that, to my knowledge no other establishment in Chester has, is a Turkish bazaar selling rugs, hats and other items.

The Leader: The bazaar inside Pars Kahve in Chester.The bazaar inside Pars Kahve in Chester. (Image: Newsquest)

In fact, the waiting staff thought I’d ducked straight into the bazaar so I had to get up from the table and make myself known to them after a while.

There were about eight items to choose from on the brunch and lunch menus, but I had already settled on the breakfast.

The Turkish breakfast, called Kahvalti Tabagi (£11.50), consists of scrambled eggs, grilled halloumi, sucuk (beef sausage), pastrami, feta, olives, tomatoes and cucumber, and simit (sesame bagel) with jam.

The Leader:

The dish is a colourful and varied plate of food, with items like the sucuk and pastrami filling the roles of sausage and bacon, while others presented something truly different.

The scrambled eggs were fluffy and dusted with spice, giving them an added warmth that was complimentary rather than overpowering.

The sucuk was more like a grill steak in texture than a traditional British banger, but it provided a flavoursome umami mouth punch that was one of the stars of the dish.

The halloumi and feta were both good examples of their type, with their richness well-balanced by the cooling cucumber and sweet jam.

The Leader: Watergate Street in Chester.Watergate Street in Chester. (Image: Newsquest)

I’m a late convert to olives, and the ones that come with the breakfast were good. I could have managed a few more.

One criticism, if any, was that only half a bagel came with the dish rather than the whole thing.

The menu boasts a good selection of coffees. But, after experiencing an effect akin to consuming rocket fuel - from a previous encounter with Turkish coffee, I opted for a more sedate latte (£3).

The Leader: Latte with a piece of Turkish delight.Latte with a piece of Turkish delight. (Image: Newsquest)

It came with a complementary cube of Turkish delight, which I thought was a nice and welcome touch.

Although not cheap, there were lower-priced options in the same street and around the corner, I very much enjoyed my breakfast at Pars Kahve. If I’m ever looking to treat myself in the future, I would definitely return.