Elif, a popular Turkish restaurant, is expanding from Norton to Yarm following its success. The new location will host 80-90 patrons with an opening this Spring.
Two couples run the restaurants together: Lyndsey and Hasan Gergin, and Ersin and Fiona Surucu. Lyndsey said the Norton location is very busy, and people must reserve tables weeks in advance. The restaurant needed to get bigger due to its constant bookings. They got lucky and found a lease.
“Norton is a hit, we want to take it elsewhere,” Lyndsey said. They are happy to have the Yarm lease, and she is excited about it. The new place fits 80 to 90 people. It will have the same food and feel, with authentic Turkish cuisine.
Decorating starts next week, and they hope to open in March. Lyndsey and Hasan also own other businesses: Riverview Kitchen and Treats Cafe, which are in Durham city. Elif in Norton was her dream for years.
Lyndsey said they researched the restaurant a lot. Her husband is Turkish, and the other places exist. They wanted to do something different too, and she thought Norton was the perfect spot. The idea started eight years ago. The atmosphere in Elif is very nice, and it looks like Turkish cabins. The food is also traditionally Turkish.
Lyndsey and Hasan have been together for 14 years, and they have two children. Elif’s name has a special meaning. If her oldest son was a girl, she would be Elif. Now, it is her niece’s name anyway. They might open other restaurants later. She hopes to build more venues. Keep watching for what happens next.
