The ‘LA ROKA’ Experience!

[SpongeDiver]

The ‘LA ROKA’ Experience!

‘LA ROKA’ – Never heard of it? – Well, you soon will!

This is the NEW restaurant just opened in KARAOĞLANOĞLU – right next to ‘Ronnies Furniture’, which is only 50 metres from Marshalls DIY, on the same side of the road.

PARKING – No need to be concerned! There is a spacious parking area right in front; or, if full, a small private road adjacent to the side entrance of the restaurant – just ‘a stone’s throw’ away.

My wife and I and a group of friends dined at ‘LA ROKA’ last night, for the first time – it was a truly enjoyable and excellent gastronomic experience!

One can either choose to sit in the plush and tastefully decorated lounge, or outside in the peaceful ambience of the courtyard-type setting, surrounded by a beautifully arranged and exotic collection of magnificent plants, succulents and cactii and a perfect view of the lit-up Saint Hilarion Castle, which is right opposite on the mountain.

The service was prompt and attentive – the menu contains all you could wish for. When our drinks were served, this included a complimentary bowl of varied nuts: pistachios, almonds and cashews – that’s quality!

The menu, in fact, is so comprehensive, that it takes some time to go through it and even more time to actually make your choice, as everything looks so delicious that you’ll probably be changing your mind several times!

After starters and the main course it was difficult to make enough room for a dessert – but we forced ourselves! There was a lovely selection of cakes to choose from, as well as a variety of different flavoured ice creams.

‘Coffee Sir?’ – ‘Yes please – I’ll have an Espresso and the lady would like a Capuccino’ – both were served in generous, large cups – a ‘taste of bliss’!

The collective advice from our group would be: If you want a restaurant with ‘that something extra’, at the most reasonable prices – ‘LA ROKA’ certainly is the place to head for!

[Deniz1]

Loads of praise but no description of the type of food. Turkish, Italian , French ?

[Jonnie]

My thoughts exactly. You really do think someone writing a restaurant review would tell us what they had to eat!

[Deniz1]

[tomsteel]

Maybe the original post 'whetted your appetite?'

[SpongeDiver]

The 'La Roka' menu consists of a broad range of Turkish and international dishes.

Our party chose a range of different dishes - steaks - fish - pasta - etc.; too many to remember for me to quote for you.

[SpongeDiver]

Jonnie - what we chose may not be your choice - but since you asked, our group mainly went for the steaks and sea bream.

I have never written a review on a restaurant before - sorry if I disappointed you gourmets!

[genghis]

Wot no spam, egg and beanz!!!!!!!

[ozankoys]

Why would they offer 'Halloumi' salad?

[karmels]

As always, a very impressive menu but there is no vegetarian section.
I am not a veggie but my wife is, this means she must wade through every section to see what is on offer.
It is not rocket science to put the veggie dishes in one place.

[Philoz]

In my experience having lived here for a few years,is that restaurants that have to resort to putting their menus on a forum generally shut down once folks have tried the food.
The restaurants that stay open are the ones that don't need to shout about it and just serve good food at reasonable prices and are busy by reputation,rather than faux recommendation .

[Jonnie]

Agreed Phil, I also find massive menus a bit of a put off as often they cannot be maintained and food has to be frozen.

[SpongeDiver]

Please note that I have removed the menu from the original posting - I hope you are now satisfied - glad you could have a glimpse, though!

Philoz/jonnie - there are not an over abundance of foodstuffs to be stored/frozen - it's simply that the chefs are excellent and have many ways of preparing them.

Instead of making unwarranted criticism, just for the sake of it, why don't you go and sample the excellent fare?

I'm sure you'll be 'eating your words'!

[Steve C]

Spongediver , Thanks for your post. I like to hear reviews of restaurants so that I have an idea what to expect.

Based on your experience I shall be trying this restaurant soon.
Mel is right in that all restaurant should have a decent vegetarian selection as there seems to be an increasing number of vegi's.

[Groucho]

Spongediver , Thanks for your post. I like to hear reviews of restaurants so that I have an idea what to expect.

Based on your experience I shall be trying this restaurant soon.
Mel is right in that all restaurant should have a decent vegetarian selection as there seems to be an increasing number of vegi's.

The Cyprus vegetarian option - spit the meat out!

[SpongeDiver]

Steve c - thank you for your kind words!

I think it is fair to say that 'veggies and 'vegans' are in a very small minority, though.

As I am not connected to 'La Roka' management, I can't comment re. a 'vegetarian section' - so, 'veggies' should, perhaps, nominate their choice and they may be pleasantly surprised.

[SpongeDiver]

Information for all you vegetarians!

Since the question was posed - OK - not in these words exactly: 'How are vegetarians catered for?', I have just 'phoned the manager of 'La Roka', who assured me that, indeed, vegetarians only have to nominate their choice and they will gladly be served what they wish, provided their requests are reasonable in terms of the more popular vegetables and fruits.

[Jonnie]

Who are the owners of La Rokka please and do they have a website for the restaurant.

[Deniz1]

There is a Facebook page for them.

[Jonnie]

Is it the same people who own Ronnies furniture? Or at least the same family?

[SpongeDiver]

It certainly is the same 'Ronnies Furniture' people - and anyone who has dealt with them knows how fastidious they are in all their public dealings with their attention to detail, quality and service.

[petronemma]

sounds delicious sponge diver, thank you for the recommendation. will have to try them out!!

[SpongeDiver]

petronemma - you should, indeed - you certainly won't be disappointed!

[SpongeDiver]

Did you know that when you dine at 'La Roka', you are surrounded by a beautiful setting of plants of varying types - from flowers to succulents?

'La Roka' & 'Ronnies Furniture' are side by side in the same block - there is an attractive variety of plants for sale, adjacent to the furniture shop. The prices are really reasonable - obviously, the more mature the plants are, they become slightly more expensive; but, all prices are way below garden centre prices. Example: An English couple came to look yesterday; they had just bought an 'Elephant's Ear' at a garden centre, nearby, for 100TL - they went away from 'Ronnies' having bought 2 'Elephant's Ear' plants for 40TL each.

Now is the time for transplanting from pots to garden - especially in view of the rain forecast from Thursday until well into next week.

[trooper]

The more I read the less I want to go there. If it was any good they wouldn't have to put spurious recommendtions on here. The really good places don't need this sort of stuff.

[SpongeDiver]

trooper - since you've never been to 'La Roka', why the necessity to make such a totally unwarranted comment - did you just get out of bed the wrong side, or have you nothing better to do with your time?