The original Ottoman meaning of the word ‘pasha’ is a king or ruler, but it is also an affectionate nickname given to sons in Turkey. Umut Izgi, one of the owners of Pasha BBQ and Cocktail Bar, explains why this makes it the perfect name for his new restaurant, which will be opening soon on Godstone Road in Caterham.
“We are a family-run business, and we believe that every guest who eats with us becomes part of our extended family as well,” says Umut, who has a background as a restaurateur and restaurant consultant. “My business partners and I all have sons, so the name Pasha really connects with our vision for this place.”
The latest in their line of family-owned Turkish restaurants, Umut says Pasha’s location was actually suggested by a Caterham resident.
“They had travelled to Crawley to eat at Efes, which we also own, and told us that Caterham would be a great site for a restaurant like ours. They mentioned there was a property available on Godstone Road so we came to view it, and realised it was just what we had been searching for.”
Pasha’s extensive menu will cater for all dietary requirements, including vegetarians and vegans, with the emphasis on fresh ingredients and chargrilling, one of the healthiest ways to cook meat. The drinks menu includes a wide range of soft and alcoholic drinks, including cocktails.
“Our signature dish will be the Pasha Special,” Umut explains. “It is a meal for sharing between two or three people, and includes lamb and chicken shish, kofta, lamb ribs, lamb chops, chips, rice and salad.”
The interior of the restaurant has been designed from scratch, with custom-made Turkish furniture and a vibrant colour scheme creating a seamless blend of both contemporary and modern styling. There is also an open kitchen, an exciting feature which allows the clientele to watch their food being cooked.
While Pasha may be luxurious in appearance, the prices of the food and drink are not.
“We want everybody to be able to come and enjoy our food, so we’re keen to ensure that our menu is affordable,” says Umut. “We’ve made sure Pasha’s layout is flexible, so we can cater for all types of occasions, from intimate dining to large groups, parties and wedding receptions. We’re also going to offer a bottomless brunch on Sundays, so guests can have a relaxed end to their weekend.
We’ve had so many people enquiring about booking already – we just can’t wait to welcome in customers of all ages from the local area to eat, drink, listen to live music and even have a dance after their meal! Our aim is for everybody to finish their night at Pasha with joy and happiness.”
The team is on track to launch Pasha at the beginning of May. The opening date, along with details of how to book, will be published on their website.
