Mediterranean Restaurants by I AM Modern Magazine
for Northern Virginia and Metro DC

Gather around this cauldron for your family feast

Kazan in the Turkish language means “a large cauldron” and it is generally associated with plentiful food shared by large crowds of people or families. Kazan Restaurant has been serving feasts to Fairfax families since 1980.

Owner Zeynel Uzun, who comes from a long line of famous cooks from Mengen, Turkey is ever present to oversee every detail of the restaurant as well as entertain the guests with his stories about his famous and political friends. We started our dinner with Kazan Meze Special appetizer. It is plentiful and served over a large plate that is ideal for sharing. Our family enjoyed sharing hummus, stuffed grape leaves “Dolmas”, feta cheese and circassian style chicken. Our kid’s favorites were the spicy Turkish sausage called “Sucuk” and the feta stuffed phyllo “Boreks” shaped like cigarettes. In fact, in Turkey they are called “Cigarette Boreks” and it is a favorite of kids’. The name is not surprising considering cigarettes were invented by Turks.

A Little Bit of Hamburg in the Heart of Leesburg

You know it was inevitable. First, England adopted curry as their national dish, and now it seems Turkish Döner became as German as strudel. Turks, who arrived in Germany as a supplemental work force after World War II, are now 3 million strong with 3rd and 4th generations having been born in the country.

Those of you who visited Germany may have seen Döner Houses at every street corner serving the Turkish version (the original) of gyro sandwiches. You now have a Loudoun County version in the heart of Leesburg, behind the government building and across from Market Station.

First thing you notice with this establishment is the silver colored Döner Kiosk outside that sits in the middle of a German biergarten. You order your food and beer(s) inside the adjacent building that seats up to 8 with re-used airplane seats (yes, you may still end up in the middle seat), with the outside biergarten providing supplemental seating. There are numerous German and Turkish beer selections including Warsteiner and the Turkish Efes, which is a great lager. From the menu, we tried Döner Sandwich, Döner Box and the Schnitzel.

A Persian Gem Hidden Among Commercial Buildings

Famous Persian poet Omar Khayyam wrote “If one may have a loaf of the flower of wheat - a two Maund jar of wine - a thigh of mutton - seated with a heart’s darling in a ruined place – that is a pleasure that is not the attainment of any Sultan.” You don’t have to be a Sultan to find 3 out of the 4 (bread, wine and mutton) at this Persian Kebab restaurant.