Bereket

Posted By Michael Stern on January 19, 2011 2:44 PM

Jane and I rubbed our hands with glee when Carol, an old friend, first told us about Bereket a few years ago. Located in the back room of a filling station and serving painstakingly homemade Turkish food, it sounded like -- and it was -- a Roadfood bonanza. There were a few problems, like virtually no seating other than outdoor picnic tables and hardly even any room to stand inside. The experience was, to say the least, extremely casual. Of course, we loved it.

NOTE: THE NEW ADDRESS IS 2871 FAIRFIELD AVE., BRIDGEPORT, CT. 203-333-9393.

Bereket has since moved and become a real restaurant with tablecloths, waitresses, plastic-covered menu, and full-size kitchen hidden in back. There are plenty of seats, fair weather or foul. While I do miss the crazy informality of dining in the back of a gas station and the joys of observing experts in the open kitchen, one thing has not changed at all: the delicious food. Based on one big recent lunch, it might be better than ever.

I still love Bereket's humus, served with warm pita bread. The familiar chickpea paste is here uncommonly rich but also bright with a refreshing shot of fresh lemon juice. I ate plenty, yet brought home enough of the $4.99 appetizer for a couple more meals.

The spicy lamb meatballs known as kofte are available in a wrap or a full dinner. I chose the former and got four patties of expertly seasoned lamb still glistening hot off the grill, all nestled in a crisp salad inside the wrap. This is a very large and very, very delicious meal.

When I first visited, the rice pudding and baklava were still cooking. The only available dessert was kadayif, the pastry that looks like shredded wheat but turns out to be delicate, superfine dough mixed with unconsciounable amounts of sugar and chopped walnuts. My square was cut from a fresh pan, still piping hot. I would be tempted to use the word "sinful" to describe how over-the-top delicious it is, but I will not, for Bereket makes a point of serving only food that is halal (virtuous according to Islamic dietary law). I have since returned for rice pudding, which is superb.

Gyro Plate

Kadayif

Mixed Appetizer Plate

Mixed Grill

Rice Pudding

Baklava

Sigara Borek

Humus

Kofte Wrap

Turkish Tea

Salad

Adana Kebab Sandwich

Kofte Plate

Apricot Juice

Posted By Shari on August 2, 2011 9:55 PM

My husband and I have been frequent customers for four years now. The food is prepared fresh and is oh so delicious, and the waitstaff, especially the Turkish/German waiter, are second to none! They've spared no expense in giving their customers the very best and in keeping with Turkish tradition. Great food, fabulous service, and a beautiful restaurant in which to enjoy your meal. Well worth the five stars!

Sigara Borek

Gyro Plate

Kadayif

Turkish Tea

Mixed Appetizer Plate

Mixed Grill

Salad

Adana Kebab Sandwich

Rice Pudding

Posted By anda weyher on July 24, 2011 11:20 AM

A friend and I had received a recommendation for Bereket, for fabulous Turkish food. Our experience was quite the contrary. From the moment we sat down our waiter was rude and surly. He actually turned his back and walked away while my dinner partner was inquiring about a certain dish. The waiter made himself as scarce as possible and actually went outside to smoke a cigarette while we waited for our dinner. I would think the health department might be interested in this behavior.

Our shepherd's salad lacked dressing and was dry. The liver was inedible and not fresh-tasting.

All-in-all our dark-haired waiter was surly, angry, and disrespectful. He should not be in the food service business and neither should Bereket. There are too many excellent Turkish restaurants in the New Haven County area to submit oneself to this.

Salad