There's a new restaurant in Colleyville serving kebabs from an acclaimed chef team: Called Truva Mediterranean Bar & Grill, it's now open at 1205 Church St., in a former Black Walnut Café, which closed in 2024 after eight years.

Truva is from Turkish chef Can Karatas, partnered with his uncle Cengiz Yumrutas, a longtime restaurateur who previously owned Ephesus Mediterranean Grill in Dallas.

The duo has a following in the DFW area thanks to Istanbul Cuisine, the concept they own with locations in Flower Mound and Southlake; and the revered Flying Carpet Turkish Cafe, a longtime Fort Worth staple they took over in 2024. Truva is like a fancy big sibling with steaks and a full bar.

Karatas is a native of Turkey who comes from a family of chefs including both of his parents as well as his brother. At Truva, his father sometimes helps in the kitchen, and the complementary shepherd’s bread that’s served at the restaurant is from a recipe of his mother's.

Karatas and Yumrutas are calling Truva the "largest Turkish Mediterranean restaurant in Texas." Size was important because they wanted a space where they could host events. The location fits the bill, as it encompasses two private dining rooms include one that seats 140 people. In the short time they've been open, they've already hosted four events.

Truva chef Can KaratasTruva

“In Colleyville there are no restaurants this size, open 7 days a week, with enough free parking, and serving fresh and chef-designed plates," Karatas says.

Truva's menu features classic Turkish dishes including lamb kebabs, falafel platter, lamb shank with eggplant, gyros, and hummus. But there are also fine-dining style dishes such as whole branzino, filet mignon, ribeye, lamb chops, and char-grilled shrimp with rice and arugula salad, which boast Turkish flavors but would also be at home on any restaurant menu.

Appetizers range from $11 to $18, and entrees range from $30 to $50. At lunch, they feature a $16 menu with beef, lamb or kafta kebabs, gyros, and chicken or salmon crepes.

Who doesn't love baklava and Truva offers it in three varieties: walnut, pistachio, and chocolate. They also have a full bar with wine, beer, cocktails and mocktails.

Karatas says they're seeing new customers as well familiar faces from their other restaurants.

"After a while you become friends and family with the customers, and even customers know each other because they frequent often in our other locations," He says. "It has become a family."