Ingredient appreciation — what makes Manti special

What sets Manti apart is the handling of lamb mince. In lesser versions this is treated as a background note. Here it's central and the subtly sweet and aromatic result shows it. I've started buying it to cook with at home after this experience.

the meze tradition of small shared dishes predates the main course. The a kebab restaurant at lunchtime atmosphere was right for this kind of food. I had raki anise spirit as recommended and it matched well. If you want to understand what makes this cuisine distinctive, Manti is the place to start.