New Turkish restaurant and bakery opens in Urbandale

• The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and baked goods, including several types of baklava.

How it started: Kaya, who is from Turkey, studied hotel and restaurant management before working on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.

• After years in corporate restaurant leadership in Michigan, including at TGI Fridays, he moved to Des Moines for more restaurant work in 2022.
• But he noticed a lack of authentic local Turkish restaurants here, Kaya tells Axios, so he decided to start his own venture.

What to expect: The restaurant features an open kitchen for patrons to watch their food get cooked, as well as a bakery case with pastries.

• Breakfast is a big deal in Turkish culture — Kaya says the restaurant's signature platter fills an entire table and is meant to be enjoyed over a span of 90 minutes. American breakfast options like omelets and pancakes are also on the menu.
• For lunch and dinner, Kaya recommends ordering a mixed-grill platter, which includes a variety of kebabs. Other options include Turkish pizza (pide), sandwiches and salads.

Between the lines: Everything is made fresh, Kaya says.

The intrigue: Breakfast is paused for a month for Ramadan, and a special iftar menu will be available for those breaking their fast at sunset.

• Reservations are not usually required, but they will be on weekends from 5:30-7:30pm during Ramadan.