By Heather Atwater
NHEvents.com Coverage

Attention foodies-there is a new addition to the Greater Nashua food scene! Mavi Bistro, a quaint little spot specializing in Turkish and Mediterranean cuisine with a French flair, has recently opened for business.

I am usually hesitant to leave my comfort zone when it comes to new foods, fearful of strange new flavors and textures. However, I decided to heed my dad's advice from my childhood about tasting new foods, "try it once and if you don't like it, you don't have to eat it again." Abiding by his advice (along with the tempting pictures of crispy phyllo rolls stuffed with feta and chicken kebabs on Mavi Bistro's Web site) I figured it was worth giving this unfamiliar cuisine a try!

Upon entering the restaurant, the owner, Ozcan Cece, warmly welcomes me
to Mavi Bistro. Ozcan is enthusiastic about the food and doesn't hesitate to explain his story when I inquire about how he decided to open such a unique restaurant in New Hampshire. He had been in the restaurant business for decades, working in various Boston-area restaurants when he finally decided to open his own Turkish-inspired bistro right in Hudson.

The weather is finally beginning to feel like winter, so I decide to start my meal with hot soup. Ozcan informs me that pumpkin is a very popular ingredient in many Turkish dishes and isn't only reserved for desserts, so he suggests I start with an appetizer of his famous pumpkin soup.

The soup arrives and it smells delectable! It has a smooth and creamy texture, with a rich pumpkin flavor-I am elated! And I am also beginning to warm up to the idea of trying more new dishes.

For the entrée course Ozcan offers me a sampling of different dishes including everything from chicken kebabs with couscous and cezik sauce to seared salmon with pureed potatoes and dill beurre blanc. I have never heard of cezik sauce before, but Ozcan encourages me to try it, mentioning it is yogurt-based with cucumber and has a very refreshing quality. I must admit, I am shocked by how much I enjoy it!

The best advice I have for new customers is to not be afraid of the unfamiliar! Many of the menu items include English translations, which make it easy for anyone to order and the owner and wait staff are happy to answer any specific questions about the dishes. Overall, I would suggest this up-and-coming restaurant to all who welcome trying new culinary forms of art!

If you're looking to tantalize your taste buds and try something new, why not save some money in the process? Visit NHDailyDeal.com Monday, January 30 through Friday, February 3, 2012 for 50% off a Mavi Bistro Gift Card! Jump on this deal quick because it won't last forever!

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