I got some interesting news right before Christmas, my good FOY (Friend of Yoso) Candice and also Som Tommy emailed me asking if I'd heard anything about Sultan opening in the Gaslamp. I hadn't heard a thing, but went to their website where I found an announcement they were opening on Christmas Eve! In the Gaslamp.... Needless to say, I was excited. Sultan has been on of our favorites. In fact, it was the food at Sultan which inspired us to travel, not once, but twice to Turkey. It was a sad day when the owner of Sultan decided to go back to doing only confections.
But now it seemed that Sultan was opening in the Gaslamp? The Gaslamp? I made it a point to drop by right after Christmas.
This restaurant was located on the street level of Horton Plaza and business was doing quite well. There were a ton of worker's, none of which I recognized. The menu though, looked exactly the same. I was shown a small table and actually ordered without looking at the menu; I knew what I wanted; the Adana Kebab. I looked over at the kitchen area and finally recognized one of the cooks from the "old Sultan". Things seemed a bit chaotic, they had only been open for two days after all...... Lot's of employees needing lots of training. What didn't need to be fixed was my Adana Kebab........
While not as spicy as I recalled; this was every bit as moist, flavorful, beefy, with spices dancing in my mouth as I could remember. My memory told me that the rice was fluffier, with more flavor......I texted this to the Missus who told me that I "was just missing it so much". Whatever, that cacik cut the flavors of the kebab like a yogurt flavored knife....
As I finished my meal, I felt a hand on my shoulder.....it was the owner, smiling, thanking me for dropping by. We had a short, but nice conversation. He's dropped out of the Hillcrest Farmer's Market and his daughter had returned from school in Turkey. He wanted opportunities for some of his family and thought this would allow "each one of them to have a home of their own." The American dream. He also insisted that I try his latest baklava, the pistachio-date.......less sweet, it was more to my taste...delicious.
Whether this incarnation of Sultan will deliver the dishes that inspired us to travel to Turkey, and me to write stuff like this, well, that remains to be seen. I will say that I can't wait to meet up with some of my old favorites here, the lahmacun, acili ezme, saksuka, and patlican salatasi....they're all calling my name.
Welcome back Sultan, we've missed you!
Sultan Baklava Mediterranean Cuisine
770 4th Ave
San Diego, CA
That is great news. Tina and I were so bummed when Sultan closed because there just isn't anything else like that around.
Posted by: Ed (from Yuma) | Sunday, 04 January 2015 at 08:00 PM
sounds like a gem! Hope they'll do well:)
Posted by: kat | Sunday, 04 January 2015 at 08:43 PM
Earlier last month, I walked by the sign and I got so excited, wondering if it was them. But I didn't have high hopes since it was in the heart of Gaslamp which seemed like an unusual spot. Then I saw Candice's write-up and have been wanting to visit. So glad to read it's as good as before. I don't like to go eat downtown often, but this would be worth the trip.
Posted by: Kirbie | Sunday, 04 January 2015 at 11:01 PM
Fabulous news! We used to eat at their location in El Cajon before it closed. Do they still sell backlava at the old location?
Posted by: ken | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 05:33 AM
Wished I had something worth while to be excited about. Looks great.
Posted by: nhbilly | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 05:41 AM
On Saturday, The Mister and I had breakfast at El Cajon Bistro and parked in front of Sultan Baklava. The downtown menu was up in the window and it looks the same...so glad it's back.
Posted by: Cathy | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 06:32 AM
Hi Ed - It is great news. We've really missed them.
I hope so too Kat.
Hi Kirbie - You should check them out.
I was told they still have the old location open for Baklava.
Hopefully you will soon Billy!
The menu looked exactly the same Cathy!
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 06:53 AM
Yay, I'm so glad they're back.I missed them. This gives me a good reason to even be in the Gaslamp.
Posted by: caninecologne | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 09:41 AM
I missed them too CC. Hope you get a chance to check them out soon.
Posted by: Kirk | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 09:50 AM
Is this the same Sultan Kebab on Jamacha Rd. in
El Cajon? Wife and I were planning to revisit in Feb.
Posted by: Sam Wong | Monday, 05 January 2015 at 10:18 PM
Hi Sam - It sure is. I'm not sure when you last visited them at that location last. They only make/sell baklava at the El Cajon location of Sultan. Saray next door has taken over the restaurant. If you want Kebabs from Sultan, you'll need to go here.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 06 January 2015 at 06:36 AM
oh wow! i'm so excited to try it =) finally a reason to go downtown :D
Posted by: Lynnea | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 08:27 AM
I hope you enjoy Sultan Lynnea!
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 08 January 2015 at 11:50 AM
I noticed that I stopped seeing the pictures of the pastries that Sultan's used to put up a while back on FB... is there still a sweets shop in El Cajon? I'm due to visit the area soon and while I like Turkish cuisine - it's good to know where to eat in the Gaslamp - I was really looking forward to some fresh pastry when I got there.
Posted by: isfahani | Saturday, 31 January 2015 at 08:42 PM
Hi Isfahani - I was told that the El Cajon shop was still open and selling Baklava. Sorry to say, I haven't been there in a while.....
Posted by: Kirk | Sunday, 01 February 2015 at 06:36 PM