Comments on: Abracadabra: A Culinary Wizard on the Bosphorus

By: admin

admin — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 15:20:20 +0000

Yes, the restaurant has been closed down due to “permit issues.” There is talk of it reopening, but for now it seems to be out of business.

By: Chris

Chris — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 11:26:27 +0000

I tried to go to Abracadabra on Sunday but it was closed. It looked like it was closed for good, not just for the day. Furniture and appliances were gone and the door had some sort of seal on it.

Anybody know what’s up?

By: Deepblue Fig

Deepblue Fig — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 03:10:05 +0000

My first experience at Abracadabra was quite romantic. If I would have been living anywhere near Arnavutkoy, would have gone there every day, drink my dark-and-stormy on the porch and re-run my first visit in my mind again and again.

By: rl reeves jr

rl reeves jr — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 14:09:53 +0000

Make sure chef Erbay’s in the house when you dine

http://chowpapi.com/

http://chowpapi.com/?p=382

By: ahmet

ahmet — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 10:05:54 +0000

(Note: This comment comes from Abracadabra, in response to a reader’s critical comment)

“How can you dare to sell pork in a muslim country?”
Yes we dare!

We read this “terrible experince” of our customer. We took it carbonara from Italian cousin and interpreted in our way for example using our local buffalo yogurt instead of cream.
It turns out the problems of our costumers problem not caused by the food or service. (We offered to change the dish but apparently as of pork issue nothing was accepted). Our customers was main question and objection was “how can you dare to sell pork in a muslim country”? Well, this is highly political issue. We don’t think like that otherwise we should have posted to our menu “helal meat”:) Altough we respect people’s belief, abracadabra’s concept is about playing with traditional cousin with world cousin. We respect different cultures, identities and thoughts. We cook and sell everything to whom wants to try different and of course tasty food. But we also believe the food itself brings people and cultures together in a table. That’s why we love to see customers from many different nationality, religions, life-styles. As we cover old Ottoman hinterland in our food, you may see the whole geography from Bosnia to Caucasus to Middle East in our menu.
abracadabra

By: ML

ML — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:18:18 +0000

Had a terrible experience at Abracadabra tonight. The problem mostly revolved around service, although the the food wasn’t particularly notable either. The problem: my Muslim partner was served a dish with pork in it – spaghetti carbonara. While I am quite aware that carbonara traditionally comes with pork, in particular pancetta or guanciale, this is Turkey, so I expect a dish featuring pork to detail this on the menu, or at least be informed by the waiter when asked. The menu at Abracadabra has the title of the dish, and underneath highlights the ingredients. The carbonara entry states “Carbonara with water buffalo yogurt” – no mention of the meat component. So, naturally, we ask the waiter what the meat is – we ask whether it is sosis (sausage) and are told that it is indeed sosis. Sosis in Turkey, needless to say, is made of dana (beef). Instead of beef, we got pork bacon. My partner cannot eat it. We send the dish back. On leaving, I decided to talk to the woman at the front of the house about the issue. My point: the menu, or the waiter, ought to note that pork sausage is used, out of courtesy to their Turkish/Muslim clientele. The woman was defensive and quite patronizing, telling me that carbonara obviously has pork, just like puttanesca obviously has fish. The message: you guys are simply ignorant, it isn’t our fault. Well, having spent two years of my life in Italy, I know that carbonara is eggs, guanciale/pancetta, and pecorino romano – not the yogurty, limp bacon pasta that they serve at Abracadabra. Ironic that the standoffish woman claimed to be an authority on carbonara, when their restaurant serves a version that is rubbish. Anyway, she refused to see my point of view, but wanted to escalate the discussion into a non-constructive argument, so I left. I’ve never encountered such an unprofessional staff member at any restaurant. Rather than take note of our concern, she decided to give me a lecture on Italian food.

By: Eating Outdoors in Istanbul | Istanbul Eats

Eating Outdoors in Istanbul | Istanbul Eats — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 08:07:08 +0000

[...] Abracadabra Although we’ve heard some reports that the kitchen has been slipping, the Bosphorus-side location in the charming Arnavutkoy neighborhood and the funky menu help this fun spot keep its magic. Full review here. [...]

By: Maria

Maria — Mon, 10 May 2010 06:25:12 +0000

Hello guys,
Reading some of the comments here and others over on Chowhound, it looks like Abracadabra has slipped. What do you think? Is it worth a shot? I am only in town for 3 nights so I want to make each meal special.
Thanks,
Maria

By: Esbie

Esbie — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 18:05:42 +0000

We are quite regular customers at Abracadabra since we live nearby.Since the beginning, the service has always been so-so but we kind of put up with it. Last night we went there for a special birthday meal and was really disappointed in the food. A dish of palamut arrived completely raw inside. Another person asked for their meat to be well done and it arrived completely underdone. In general, I find the portions of the main dishes small, and the salad that I had (spinach and goats’ cheese) nothing special. Cafe S in Akmerkez makes a much better one. The starters are nice- I’d rather stick to them – but avoid the Bosnak Eti which I ordered. Very salty and dry. I have also stopped going for breakfast on Sundays due to the slow service and the fact the the breakfast plate repeatedly arrived without all the things written on the menu. It really has become a rip-off.

I like the concept and style of Abracadabra, but they have a terrible problem with maintaining a constant standard. Last night they have quite a few big tables and I think they could not cope. On a good note the service staff are always very friendly, but I will think twice going there at the weekend or for a special occasion. Its just too unpredictable.

By: Gozde

Gozde — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:44:41 +0000

The best falafel is in Falafel House in Taksim, Talimhane (opened by a Jordanian/palestinian man). Abracadabra is too expensive although the view is nice…and no Tabboule etcc.