Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
complete the experience. Try the delicious Trakya Kıvırcık lamb dishes, consider a finale
of the pistachio and
helva
ice cream and be sure to have a drink at the bar beforehand.
BRASSERIE LA BRISE $$$
OFFLINE MAP
| FRENCH
( 212-244 4846; Asmalımescit Sokak 28, Asmalımescit; starters 15-30, mains 25-52; lunch &
dinner Mon-Fri, dinner Sat; Karaköy, then funicular to Tünel)
Hidden in a narrow street near the
Pera Palace Hotel, La Brise leaves no Parisienne cliché unexplored, with Piaf on the
sound system, mellow lighting in the dining room and a soupçon of attitude on the part of
the waiters. The perfectly cooked fillet steak with Béarnaise or pepper sauce comes with
wonderfully thick but crisp
pommes frites
.
ASMALI CANIM CİĞERİM $
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| ANATOLIAN
(Minare Sokak 1, Asmalımescit; 5 skewers 12; Karaköy, then funicular to Tünel)
The name means
'my soul, my liver', and this small place behind the Ali Hoca Türbesi specialises in grilled
liver served with herbs,
ezme
(spicy tomato sauce) and grilled vegetables. If you can't
bring yourself to eat offal, fear not - you can substitute the liver with lamb if you so
choose. No alcohol, but
ayran
(a yoghurt drink) is the perfect accompaniment.
KAFE ARA $$
OFFLINE MAP
| CAFE
(Tosbağ Sokak 8a, Galatasaray; sandwiches 15-20, salads 15-23, grills 19-24; 7.30am-midnight
Mon-Thu, to 1am Fri & Sat, to 10pm Sun; Kabataş, then funicular to Taksim)
This casual cafe is
named after its owner, legendary local photographer Ara Güler. It occupies a converted
garage with tables and chairs spilling out into a wide laneway opposite the Galatasaray
Lycée and serves an array of well-priced salads, sandwiches and Turkish staples such as
köfte
(meatballs) and
sigara böreği
(pastries filled with cheese and potato). No alcohol.
ZENCEFİL $
OFFLINE MAP
| VEGETARIAN
(Kurabiye Sokak 8; soup 7-9, mains 9-17; 10am-11pm Mon-Sat, noon-10pm Sun; ; Kabataş,
then funicular to Taksim)
We're not surprised that this vegetarian cafe has a loyal following.
Its interior is comfortable and stylish, with a glassed courtyard and bright colour scheme,
and its food is 100% homemade, fresh and varied. Dishes are available in small and large
sizes. 'Zencefil' means 'ginger' in Turkish, and the cafe makes its own ginger beer and
ginger ale. You can also order wine by the glass and fresh
limonata
(lemonade) served
with Absolut vodka.
