Earlier this month, I celebrated my birthday at Clay Pot in Naples with some of my favorite girlfriends. We were in the middle of lunch when the owners surprised me by playing "Happy Birthday" over the restaurant's speakers. Then they joined in and sang along when my birthday cake came to the table. You can see my excitement in the photo below.
It was such a sweet and unexpected gesture. Sitting there surrounded by friends, good food and people who had gone out of their way to make me feel special, I knew this place already held a spot in my heart.
Why I Kept Coming Back
And apparently I loved it enough to keep coming back. Since that birthday lunch, I've been back three more times, including a Saturday night delivery order.
Clay Pot Authentic Turkish Food is a new restaurant in Naples bringing the traditional flavors of Anatolia to town through one of the oldest cooking methods in the world: the clay pot. You’ll find it at Tanglewood Marketplace, 4910 Tamiami Trail N., Unit #310.
Clay Pot is owned by chef Hakan Karsavuran, who also runs Lavender Cafe & Bistro in Naples. It opened in late May.
Slow-Cooked, Served Casually
Clay Pot uses clay cooking vessels imported from Turkey, and the slow-cooking method lets the ingredients develop deep, rich flavors while keeping the dishes comforting. The menu features traditional Turkish and Anatolian recipes, homemade mezze, Turkish desserts, Turkish coffee and tea.
The setting is casual and relaxed. You order at the counter, then settle in to enjoy your meal. The food, though, is anything but ordinary. Everything is made fresh daily from scratch, and the homemade mezze, soups and clay-pot dishes are full of fresh, authentic flavors.
Worth Ordering Twice
There were so many tempting choices, but a couple of dishes stand out. The slow-cooked lamb shank was melt-in-your-mouth tender, so good that I've ordered it twice. The house special clay pot chicken kebab, tender chicken cooked with vegetables, tomatoes, peppers and garlic in the traditional clay pot, is the kind of dish that makes the cooking method make sense.
Around the table we also shared the Turkish beef moussaka, warm and comforting; grilled chicken breast marinated in apricot sauce, a sweet and savory pairing; a creamy, smoky smoked eggplant salad; and stuffed cabbage with rice, ground beef, onion, herbs and a yogurt-garlic sauce.
Because dessert is always part of the experience, we finished with pistachio baklava, flaky and sweet, and Turkish coffee, the perfect way to end a meal.
A Little Turkey to Take Home
Before you leave, take a look at the charming Turkish merchandise area, where you can pick up unique gifts and authentic treasures from Turkey, including beautiful traditional Turkish coffee pots. It's a little taste of Turkey to take home.
A look around the Turkish market corner at Clay Pot in Naples
Kim's Fun Tip: go with friends and order several dishes to share. It's the perfect way to try a little bit of everything. And if you're looking for a birthday lunch spot, I can personally say it makes for a memorable one.
If you enjoy discovering Naples through food, join one of our Naples food tours, like our Feast on 5th walking tour, for a foodie adventure with friends.
The Paradise Plate Takeaway
Restaurant: Clay Pot Authentic Turkish Food
Location: Naples, Florida (4910 Tamiami Trail N., Unit #310)
Known For: Slow-cooked clay-pot dishes, traditional Turkish and Anatolian recipes, homemade mezze, baklava and Turkish coffee
Perfect For: Lunches with friends, celebrations and anyone ready to try something different in Naples
The Paradise Plate Takeaway
The best meals are remembered for the moments when somebody went out of their way for you.
