Out to Lunch: Ayhan's Fish Kebab

Fish Kebab is part of Ayhan Hassan's triumvirate of Mediterranean restaurants located in Port Washington. The other two are, as anyone in town knows, Shish Kebab, and Mediterranean Marketplace. While all three offer similar variations of Mediterranean foods, Fish Kebab is the most specialized (the focus is obviously on seafood), and the most upscale. Located in what was once a former bank, the building has retained some of its impressive features such as large columns in the front and a balcony inside.

When walking in, you will pass by a large case displaying the "catch of the day" and other fresh fish. The restaurant has about two dozen white- and blue-clothed tables, decorated with plates of lemons in lieu of flowers. Large potted plants and vines adorn the interior, giving you the feeling of eating in an outdoor courtyard. 

Fish Kebab specializes in fresh whole fish, such as salmon, flounder, branzini, tilapia, bass, and pompano. The menu also lists fish that the restaurant does not carry, providing diners with a kind of fish primer, educating them about seafood. Each fish offering is followed by a two- or three-word (and rather vague) description – "moist, juicy," "very popular," "white, mild taste."

In addition to whole fish, the restaurant serves various lobster and shrimp dishes, steak, chicken and lamb chops. Numerous appetizers are available, primarily either seafood or Mediterranean, including baba ghanoush and spinach pie.

On a recent visit, our waitress brought us Turkish bread and a plate of very good hummus to snack on as we perused the menu. My two companions had seafood, while I had a salad with grilled chicken. The clam chowder starter got a thumb's up, and was described as "creamy and rich, with lots of clams." The appetizer villager salad, made of shredded romaine lettuce and chopped dill was tossed with a lemony olive oil-based dressing and mixed with a bit of feta.

For my meal, I ordered the large villager salad with grilled chicken. The grilled chicken actually turned out to be chicken kebobs – chunks of chicken rather than strips, as well as some grilled mushrooms and onions. I generally prefer thin strips of chicken on a salad as opposed to large chunks, which require cutting and are sometimes not as well-done as I'd prefer, but the chicken was flavorful and enhanced the salad.

One of my companions had the tilapia Mediterranean, served with rice pilaf and a side of cooked vegetables. The fish was very lightly battered, seasoned with salt and pepper and then sautéed in a creamy lemon garlic sauce. The tilapia was light and flakey and worked well with the lemony sauce. My other companion tried the flounder Athenian – a flounder fillet rolled and stuffed with spinach and feta cheese. This was served with red Bulgar pilaf, which was described as "pleasant, but slightly bland," and a side of vegetables. We were all a bit surprised by the appearance of the flounder – it was beautifully presented, but the portion was small. However, the person eating it reported that in the end, it was a more than adequate amount.

If you are going out with a group of seafood aficionados, this is a perfect spot. If you are going out with a group of seafood lovers with maybe one or two who don't like fish, your group more than likely will still find dishes on the menu to enjoy.nHowever, if most of your party would prefer meat or vegetarian options, you would be better off at Fish Kebab's sister restaurant, Shish Kebab, which has numerous choices, including fish for those who want it. For a business lunch with a dining companion who enjoys seafood, Fish Kebab is an ideal spot.

Parking is available on the street or in the Shish Kebab parking lot on the opposite corner. You can be in and out in an hour, but the beauty of the place lends itself to leisurely-paced dining. Cost of lunch for two, including tax and tip will run about $45.