Di Figaro, as it was; is in an exquisite situation overlooking the sea in Karaoglanoglu, now taken over by the Golden Tulip group it offers a Brazilian menu, with a plethora of meat dishes typical of that country.

At  49 tl, with starters and dessert it is an offer too tempting to miss, Marina and I ate there for Sunday lunch and were given a 20% discount. It is a beautiful restaurant, our table looked out over the Mediterranean but the ambiance was destroyed by very loud Salsa music, we were surprised no one had asked for it to make quieter, we did; the owner obliged, we placed our order.

The starters were very well presented, looking very appetising, a small onion filled with rice gently spiced and seasoned, black eyed beans the least interesting of the selection, an artichoke bottom with mixed vegetables this was bland and the artichoke was overcooked but still enjoyable, Aubergine salad was served but it was so delicious, creamy and full of flavour I had to ask what it was !, and a thin slice of tasty Carpaccio.

Hot starters were brought to us impaled on miniature swords; Banana coated in crumb and crisply fried, soft eating Polenta again crisply fried, hot slices of tender Hellim and chicken and potato croquettes.

Ready for our meat course, a selection of fresh vegetables individually cooked `al dente` in water;  then finished in seasoned butter, was served  Potatos Bravos , sadly far from the best we have eaten, but a minor hitch in the quality of the food so far.
The first MEAT offered was a leg of lamb cooked perfectly, so you could select well done or pink, it was tender and tasty, as good as any lamb we have eaten here in the past 7 years.
Next were barbequed chunks of marinated , moist soft eating chicken, then grilled lamb chops blackened from the charcoal but pink and moist inside, boneless and curled up like a steak;  tiny hearts of chicken were served, these were dry and surprisingly lacked any flavour.

Then came the beef! – pieces of steak marinated skewered and grilled, tough as boot leather, then small rounds of beef fillet, perfectly cooked ; pink inside, crispy, nearly burnt on the outside, sadly to tough to eat, great for our doggie bag, but we forgot it

The last offering of beef saved the day, beef ribs in the oven, long cooked, the only way with TRNC beef; meltingly succulent, falling off the bone and delicious, we will make these ourselves!

Perhaps Quente will be able to import Brazilian beef as our friend imports burgers from America for the very successful Johnnie Rockets, in Famagusta ? Until then we recommend avoiding the grilled beef, the other meats are plenty for a great meal.

Not finished yet! A plate of very well presented fruit arrived, pineapple, two kinds of melon, kiwi, oranges, and of course coffee if we wanted it, and all for 49 tl!

We drank a pleasant bottle of Trevento Chardonnay, expensive at 40tl but I thought the 20% discount had saved us that.
In the near future Quente will have Concha y Toro, very good wine from Chilli; we look forward to trying it
Perhaps with some beef from Brazil!! And some more of the delicious recipes from that part of the world.

Pictures and full information to come in the next few days – Many thanks to Marina and Brian for their excellent and honest review. Have you been to a good restaurant or place in Northern Cyprus? Tell us about it email pete@linicguide.com

The restaurant is behind TEMPO supermarket in Karaoglanoglu, follow the sign from the main road.