Istanbul--where to eat

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

if we go, and it is if, where to eat and what to do?

2

Did you see the Sunday travel section of the LA TImes? I think it had the top 10 neighborhood places.

I bet there are good hotel deals there right now!

I love Istanbul but seems dicey the last few months. This was from 8/4 I think.

3

Going next summer for a few nights. Haven’t looked at places to eat. Some good hotel prices but nothing crazy yet.

George

4

I sent this thread to a friend who LOVES Istanbul and eating there and she suggested this website

http://istanbuleats.com/

It emphasizes the little places tourists are not likely to find. You should also eat fish overlooking the Bosphorus, the kind of place that big ships go by and knock the glasses off the tables.

Also Bodrum restaurant which is up the bosphorus is great for mantu

I went through a phase of cooking Turkish food and loved it but I was gaining weight so I stopped. My favorite dish is Sultan’s Delight or Hünkar Begendi. You “burn” an eggplant (scorching the skin and producing a tender smokey interior) and then scoop the flesh and stir it into a bechamel with some cheese. Then you make a tender lamb stew with tomatoes. Spread the eggplant bechamel on each plate and serve the lamb stew on top. Fabulous. Google for actual recipes, it’s an old dish from the Ottoman court. I also like “Ladies’ Thighs” Kadinbudu Köfte, tender spicy lamb meatballs. I usually take 2 so I can spread them apart before eating…

http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/16/bosphorising/?_r=0

Wealthy Turks (and non-Turks) sit on their balconies overlooking the Bosphorus – eating profiteroles!

5

Alan; Without a doubt…http://istanbuleats.com is an absolute must! Take a culinary walk if at all possible. We actually took two different ones and could not have been happier. Istanbul is not a city of "Michelin"dining. Get to the local spots, be adventurous, and you will be rewarded. Also, be prepared to really limit your wine intake…stick to beer, coffee and tea.

We were just there in November so drop me a PM or other message for more info.

Cheers! [cheers.gif]
Marshall

6

very helpful, thanks.
alan

7

Today’s LA Times Travel section has a front page story on Istanbul that had me looking up airfare prices.

8

Alan; Also, if you are interested, we have a few interesting “shopping” ideas if you need them.

Cheers!
Marshall [berserker.gif]

9

We were there in June–had two very nice dinners (sea bass and sea bream) at Mimolett and a very nice lunch at Asitane. Mimolett had an interesting (Turkish) wine list.