Browsing by Category: Turkish Cuisine

The streets of Asmalicavit, once packed with people, are now empty.

Before July 26, any Istanbul resident or visitor would not recognize this street in Beyoglu’s Asmalimescit district. Just steps from Tunel and the end of Istiklal Caddesi, this nexus of young Istanbul’s social life was previously packed with tables, where patrons sipped beers, knocked back (more…)

Beylerbeyi is a neighborhood on the Istanbul’s Anatolian coast, northeast of Uskudar and just past the First Bosphorus Bridge. The area is dominated by the Beylerbeyi Sarayi, a massive and ornate summer palace built by the Sultan Abdulaziz in the nineteenth century. Beside the palace (more…)

On Tuesday night I met my friend Şemsa for dinner at Asmalı Cavit in Beyoğlu. This spot is a typical meyhane (restaurant serving alcohol and mezes) in a part of town that is packed with such establishments. The quality of food varies wildly and most places are more attractive for their atmosphere (more…)

Muhammara.

Last year my friend Can sent me to Antebi, a restaurant in Caddebostan (Istanbul) specializing in food from Southeastern Turkey. I was immediately hooked. Their richly spiced food, liberal use of pomegranate molassas, and quality ingredients are all the things I need in life. (more…)

Mixed grilled meats at Mangal 2.

I eat a lot of Turkish food (as a quick spin through the Turkish Cuisine archive will demonstrate). I don’t get much of it in Rome (unless I make it myself or snag an invite to Vinoroma‘s place) and I don’t get to Turkey as often as I’d like (which would be every other day), so (more…)