Walking into Sultan Kebab you are enveloped by huge amounts of nature light streaming through floor to ceiling windows and you are surrounded by a combination of mustard walls, copper and brown toned floors, scuffed from many feet and moving chairs, splashes of ocean blue, and large wall mosaics. All are important ingredients for setting the tone as you sail into this small Turkish spot in the warehouse district of Charlottesville, VA.

On my first visit I ordered their chicken shish kebab platter and a glass of the Villa Doluca Semillon (Sultaniye) from Thrace, Turkey. Tender grilled chicken breast meat on a bed of fluffy rice, fresh salad, hummus seasoned with paprika and olive oil, and morning made pita bread, the dish was a meaningful gateway into the chef’s mindset – gentle but definitive seasoning, quality raw ingredients, an eye towards presentation, and a deft hand on the grill. Like a good team, entree parts harmoniously balanced each other as I moved from one corner of the plate to another.

The Semillon, straw colored, medium bodied, and crisp, had honeysuckle aromas, and flavors of apple, pear, and grapefruit. Similar to Pinot Gris, this Semillon was aromatic and a sound choice to work with my entree’s seasoned meat, paprika infused hummus, crunchy salad, and yeasty pita bread.

Dessert was locally made baklava – three pieces and a dollop of frozen vanilla yogurt. Created in a classic style – two layers of phyllo dough filled with chopped pistachios, sweetened syrup of sugar, honey, and lemon, topped with finely chopped pistachios – the meal’s send off hit just the right side of sweetness, with a crunchy texture, an infused dough, and a tasteful nod to presentation. The frozen vanilla yogurt was a success as well with traditional vanilla flavors, smooth textures, and a focus on quality ingredients in a simple white bowl.

On my second visit, while reviewing the Mercedes C63 AMG on Albemarle County’s lovely back roads, I ordered lahmacun – a thin crust Turkish pizza of ground beef, herbs, chopped salad, and lemon. Spread the salad, add a squeeze of lemon, roll a pizza slice up like a wrap, and enjoy the medley of crisp dough, seasoned beef, crunchy greens, and a pop of lemon. Like the chicken kebab, the seasoning of the dish warrants an extra note for its balance. No need for extra salt here.

Having extra room my waiter recommended kunefe – a center of fresh mozzarella wrapped in shredded phyllo dough and sweetened syrup, finely chopped pistachios, cooked until deep brown – it’s a creamy dish with a sweet richness that sneaks up on you. The crunchy exterior sounds like a toasted waffle when it gives way, revealing its mozzarella secrets, and offering up scents of warm, honey laced cheese. I can understand why it’s a popular dessert as it highlights several elements all at once – crunchy texture, subtle sweetness, and a comfort food like experience.

On both visits Turkish staff members were on top of the tables with diners and the owners were on-hand tending to a variety of tasks. Everyone was very approachable and friendly.

So, if your travels lead you into the Charlottesville, VA area, Sultan Kebab is certainly worth a visit.  I look forward to returning when a car or motorcycle review returns me to the area. The city, Albemarle and surrounding counties are a lovely part of the world.

Sultan Kebab
333 2nd Street, South East
Charlottesville, VA 22902
(434)-981-0090
https://goo.gl/maps/ng3p9updDQbDkhxZ9