Mar 10
Wednesday
Hey EU, Hands off my doner!
Turkey’s EU accession talks have raised a lot of important questions on reform, accompanied by predictable growing pains. But the latest news from Ankara, which can be read in Turkish in this article in the daily Radikal newspaper, makes us more than a bit uncomfortable.
According to the article, Turkey’s food sector has much catching up to do with European “hygiene standards.” Turkey’s beloved doner kebab, kokorec, boza, salca and salgam were named as the prime suspects in the coming sweep.
Though a 21 million EURO budget has been allocated under the “Truefood” project to bring traditional food up to code, we’ll have to wait and see how this affects the vibrant street food culture that Istanbul thrives on.
(photo by Ansel Mullins)
All entries filed under News
The Best Little Fish House in Galata Gets a Bit Bigger
1 response - Posted 02.22.10
Good news for those who have tried to eat at Furreyya Galata Balikcisi, the winning fish house near the Galata tower, only to find the tiny place full: the restaurant has recently remodeled, doubling its number of tables. Bad news for those who have tried to eat at Furreyya, only ...continue
1 response - Posted 02.22.10
Good news for those who have tried to eat at Furreyya Galata Balikcisi, the winning fish house near the Galata tower, only to find the tiny place full: the restaurant has recently remodeled, doubling its number of tables. Bad news for those who have tried to eat at Furreyya, only ...continue
Baklahorani: It’s Carnival Time
no responses - Posted 02.10.10
Food moves us to behave in strange ways, but for the Greeks of Istanbul, a celebration of the broad bean, or bakla, is a means to dress up in costume and run wild in the streets. An old Istanbul tradition, recently revived by Greek expats, Baklahorani hits the streets of ...continue
no responses - Posted 02.10.10
Food moves us to behave in strange ways, but for the Greeks of Istanbul, a celebration of the broad bean, or bakla, is a means to dress up in costume and run wild in the streets. An old Istanbul tradition, recently revived by Greek expats, Baklahorani hits the streets of ...continue
“No Reservations” in Istanbul: Our Take
8 responses - Posted 01.22.10
Several readers have written in asking for our thoughts on the recently-aired episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show “No Reservations,” which was devoted to the food of Istanbul. After working our way around Turkey’s ban on YouTube, we finally were able to watch the very fun episode. So what about the spots ...continue
8 responses - Posted 01.22.10
Several readers have written in asking for our thoughts on the recently-aired episode of Anthony Bourdain’s show “No Reservations,” which was devoted to the food of Istanbul. After working our way around Turkey’s ban on YouTube, we finally were able to watch the very fun episode. So what about the spots ...continue
Wet Burgers: As Seen on TV!
no responses - Posted 01.21.10
(Editor's Note: Along with Durumzade, Istanbul Eats favorite Kizilkayalar was also featured in the recent episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations." The Taksim veteran's famous "wet burgers" -- which Bourdain seemed to enjoy immensely -- came in 3rd place in our recent "Top 5 Istanbul Street Foods" competition. For those ...continue
no responses - Posted 01.21.10
(Editor's Note: Along with Durumzade, Istanbul Eats favorite Kizilkayalar was also featured in the recent episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations." The Taksim veteran's famous "wet burgers" -- which Bourdain seemed to enjoy immensely -- came in 3rd place in our recent "Top 5 Istanbul Street Foods" competition. For those ...continue
Durumzade: Wrap Artists (and Television Stars)
no responses - Posted 01.19.10
(Editor's Note: This review first appeared back in April of 2009. Turns out the "wrap stars" at Durumzade were among the stars of last night's episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" show, which recently visited Istanbul. In honor of Durumzade's new found television success, we decided to offer this "rerun" ...continue
no responses - Posted 01.19.10
(Editor's Note: This review first appeared back in April of 2009. Turns out the "wrap stars" at Durumzade were among the stars of last night's episode of Anthony Bourdain's "No Reservations" show, which recently visited Istanbul. In honor of Durumzade's new found television success, we decided to offer this "rerun" ...continue
Anthony Bourdain in Istanbul
5 responses - Posted 01.18.10
Globe-trotting celebrity chef and television star (who would have imagined those words would ever be used in the same sentence?) Anthony Bourdain has discovered the charms of Istanbul, it appears. Tonight's episode of his Travel Channel show, "No Reservations," touches down in our fair city, which Bourdain visited several months ...continue
5 responses - Posted 01.18.10
Globe-trotting celebrity chef and television star (who would have imagined those words would ever be used in the same sentence?) Anthony Bourdain has discovered the charms of Istanbul, it appears. Tonight's episode of his Travel Channel show, "No Reservations," touches down in our fair city, which Bourdain visited several months ...continue
10 Top Dishes, 10 Top Spots
no responses - Posted 01.11.10
The English-language Today's Zaman has a nice article in today's edition that pairs ten specialty dishes, such as Uzbek pilaf, stuffed cabbage and Black Sea pide, with ten places to try them. The list is worth looking at (although, sadly, it doesn't provide addresses, only phone numbers.) You can read ...continue
no responses - Posted 01.11.10
The English-language Today's Zaman has a nice article in today's edition that pairs ten specialty dishes, such as Uzbek pilaf, stuffed cabbage and Black Sea pide, with ten places to try them. The list is worth looking at (although, sadly, it doesn't provide addresses, only phone numbers.) You can read ...continue
Dine Like an Ottoman
no responses - Posted 12.14.09
The Wall Street Journal has a new article up about some of the high-end restaurants in Istanbul that are rediscovering formal Ottoman cooking, but also giving it a "contemporary" spin. One of them, the newly-opened Karakol, located inside an old guardhouse on the grounds of Topkapi Palace, sounds especially intriguing ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.14.09
The Wall Street Journal has a new article up about some of the high-end restaurants in Istanbul that are rediscovering formal Ottoman cooking, but also giving it a "contemporary" spin. One of them, the newly-opened Karakol, located inside an old guardhouse on the grounds of Topkapi Palace, sounds especially intriguing ...continue
A Cornucopia of Reviews
no responses - Posted 12.07.09
We've always enjoyed Cornucopia magazine and its sumptuous take on Turkish life, culture and history. But for us, the best part of the magazine is the restaurant review section and its writeups by Andrew Finkel, a veteran Turkey-based journalist who seems equally at home in both Istanbul's upscale and down-home ...continue
no responses - Posted 12.07.09
We've always enjoyed Cornucopia magazine and its sumptuous take on Turkish life, culture and history. But for us, the best part of the magazine is the restaurant review section and its writeups by Andrew Finkel, a veteran Turkey-based journalist who seems equally at home in both Istanbul's upscale and down-home ...continue
The Simits Take Manhattan
11 responses - Posted 11.29.09
We recently posted about the arrival of the simit -- the sesame-encrusted bread ring that it is a Turkish street food staple -- in Manhattan, where it is being baked on location at the newly-opened New York outpost of Gulluoglu, an Istanbul baklava maker (not to be confused, as we ...continue
11 responses - Posted 11.29.09
We recently posted about the arrival of the simit -- the sesame-encrusted bread ring that it is a Turkish street food staple -- in Manhattan, where it is being baked on location at the newly-opened New York outpost of Gulluoglu, an Istanbul baklava maker (not to be confused, as we ...continue
Istanbul Eats in the GlobalPost
no responses - Posted 11.29.09
We recently took Nichole Sobecki, a reporter for the GlobalPost, on a walking tour of some of our favorite food stops in Istanbul's historic Eminonu and Fatih neighborhoods. You can check out her report here. continue
no responses - Posted 11.29.09
We recently took Nichole Sobecki, a reporter for the GlobalPost, on a walking tour of some of our favorite food stops in Istanbul's historic Eminonu and Fatih neighborhoods. You can check out her report here. continue
The Simit Has Landed, pt. II
no responses - Posted 11.23.09
The Nov. 25 New York Times has a quick review of the new Upper East Side Manhattan branch of Gulluoglu, an Istanbul baklava maker (not to be confused, as we initially did, with the legendary Istanbul baklava house also called Gulluoglu). We recently linked to a New York Magazine item about ...continue
no responses - Posted 11.23.09
The Nov. 25 New York Times has a quick review of the new Upper East Side Manhattan branch of Gulluoglu, an Istanbul baklava maker (not to be confused, as we initially did, with the legendary Istanbul baklava house also called Gulluoglu). We recently linked to a New York Magazine item about ...continue
EatingAsia Interviews Ciya Chef Musa Dagdeviren
2 responses - Posted 11.22.09
EatingAsia, a marvelous blog that (mostly) covers Asian food and culinary traditions, recently caught up with chef Musa Dagdeviren, creator of Istanbul's Ciya restaurant. A kind of culinary anthropologist, Dagdeviren has helped introduce Istanbulites and visitors to the city to traditional recipes and ingredients from across Turkey that are even ...continue
2 responses - Posted 11.22.09
EatingAsia, a marvelous blog that (mostly) covers Asian food and culinary traditions, recently caught up with chef Musa Dagdeviren, creator of Istanbul's Ciya restaurant. A kind of culinary anthropologist, Dagdeviren has helped introduce Istanbulites and visitors to the city to traditional recipes and ingredients from across Turkey that are even ...continue
The Simit Has Landed
5 responses - Posted 10.29.09
New York Magazine reports two potentially earthshaking pieces of news. First: Istanbul baklava maker Gulluoglu has opened up a branch on the east side of Manhattan. Two: they are serving freshly-baked simits ("looking a little like the secret love child of the bagel and the street pretzel," as the magazine ...continue
5 responses - Posted 10.29.09
New York Magazine reports two potentially earthshaking pieces of news. First: Istanbul baklava maker Gulluoglu has opened up a branch on the east side of Manhattan. Two: they are serving freshly-baked simits ("looking a little like the secret love child of the bagel and the street pretzel," as the magazine ...continue
Hamsi Time
no responses - Posted 10.27.09
Istanbul Eats' Yigal Schleifer has a post on the New York Times' Globespotters blog about the start of hamsi season in Istanbul. Hamsi is the Turkish name for the finger-sized anchovy caught in the waters of the Black Sea. Though small and inexpensive, hamsi holds a sacred place in the ...continue
no responses - Posted 10.27.09
Istanbul Eats' Yigal Schleifer has a post on the New York Times' Globespotters blog about the start of hamsi season in Istanbul. Hamsi is the Turkish name for the finger-sized anchovy caught in the waters of the Black Sea. Though small and inexpensive, hamsi holds a sacred place in the ...continue
Pickle Juice Anyone?
no responses - Posted 10.05.09
The English-language Today's Zaman has a great article in Monday's edition about Turkey's love affair with pickles, called “turşu” in Turkish. Along with the usual assortment of pickled cucumbers and cabbage, pickle shops in Istanbul and other city also offer a dizzying variety of brined vegetables and even fruits (pickled ...continue
no responses - Posted 10.05.09
The English-language Today's Zaman has a great article in Monday's edition about Turkey's love affair with pickles, called “turşu” in Turkish. Along with the usual assortment of pickled cucumbers and cabbage, pickle shops in Istanbul and other city also offer a dizzying variety of brined vegetables and even fruits (pickled ...continue
Istanbul Eats’ First Photo Competition
1 response - Posted 09.24.09
We are happy to announce the start of our first ever photography competition. Open to all, the contest’s first prize is lunch at one of the restaurants reviewed on our site (winner’s choice). Subject: "Istanbul Food Culture" Deadline: October 31, 2009 (Note: Due to popular demand, we've extended the deadline to ...continue
1 response - Posted 09.24.09
We are happy to announce the start of our first ever photography competition. Open to all, the contest’s first prize is lunch at one of the restaurants reviewed on our site (winner’s choice). Subject: "Istanbul Food Culture" Deadline: October 31, 2009 (Note: Due to popular demand, we've extended the deadline to ...continue
A 48-hour Tasting Tour of Istanbul
1 response - Posted 09.13.09
Thinking about spending two days eating your way through Istanbul? If so, Anya von Bremzen, a travel writer who knows her way around Istanbul better than most, has an itinerary for you. You can check out her short article from Travel + Leisure here. (photo by Yigal Schleifer) continue
1 response - Posted 09.13.09
Thinking about spending two days eating your way through Istanbul? If so, Anya von Bremzen, a travel writer who knows her way around Istanbul better than most, has an itinerary for you. You can check out her short article from Travel + Leisure here. (photo by Yigal Schleifer) continue
Cooking Classes at the Istanbul Culinary Institute
no responses - Posted 07.23.09
The New York Times' Globespotters blog recently ran a post (written by Istanbul Eats' Yigal Schleifer) about cooking classes for amateurs at the Istanbul Culinary Institute. Located in the heart of Istanbul's Pera neighborhood, the ICI also has a very pleasant restaurant/cafe that features the cooking of the institute's advanced-level ...continue
no responses - Posted 07.23.09
The New York Times' Globespotters blog recently ran a post (written by Istanbul Eats' Yigal Schleifer) about cooking classes for amateurs at the Istanbul Culinary Institute. Located in the heart of Istanbul's Pera neighborhood, the ICI also has a very pleasant restaurant/cafe that features the cooking of the institute's advanced-level ...continue
“Taste Routes” of Turkey
no responses - Posted 07.20.09
The English-language Today's Zaman newspaper has an article in today's edition that points travelers to culinary pit stops throughout Turkey. The suggestions are taken from a book called "Lezzet Duraklari" (literally "Taste Stops" in Turkish), sadly not available in English. The article has what seem like some very good suggestions ...continue
no responses - Posted 07.20.09
The English-language Today's Zaman newspaper has an article in today's edition that points travelers to culinary pit stops throughout Turkey. The suggestions are taken from a book called "Lezzet Duraklari" (literally "Taste Stops" in Turkish), sadly not available in English. The article has what seem like some very good suggestions ...continue
Beyoglu’s “Festival of Local Flavors”
no responses - Posted 06.07.09
The Beyoglu Municipality's 4th annual "Yerel Tadlar Festivali" (Festival of Local Flavors) is coming to a close this weekend with a three-day event featuring the foods of Rize (June 12) and Samsun (June 13), two cities on the Black Sea coast, and Cappadocia's Nevsehir (June 14). Held on the old ...continue
no responses - Posted 06.07.09
The Beyoglu Municipality's 4th annual "Yerel Tadlar Festivali" (Festival of Local Flavors) is coming to a close this weekend with a three-day event featuring the foods of Rize (June 12) and Samsun (June 13), two cities on the Black Sea coast, and Cappadocia's Nevsehir (June 14). Held on the old ...continue
Kiva Han Gets the Thumbs Down
1 response - Posted 05.25.09
Today's Zaman has a review of Kiva Han, a restaurant near the Galata Tower that tries to be a Beyoglu version of Asian Side favorite Çiya. It's not a favorable review: All in all, our experience at the new Galata Kiva Han was extremely disappointing, and on second thought, I should have ...continue
1 response - Posted 05.25.09
Today's Zaman has a review of Kiva Han, a restaurant near the Galata Tower that tries to be a Beyoglu version of Asian Side favorite Çiya. It's not a favorable review: All in all, our experience at the new Galata Kiva Han was extremely disappointing, and on second thought, I should have ...continue
Istanbul Eats in Sabah
3 responses - Posted 05.25.09
The Turkish daily Sabah ran a feature about Istanbul Eats -- headlined "Food Explorers" -- in its Sunday edition. You can read the original article (in Turkish) here, and Google's "my hovercraft is full of eels"-like English translation here. continue
3 responses - Posted 05.25.09
The Turkish daily Sabah ran a feature about Istanbul Eats -- headlined "Food Explorers" -- in its Sunday edition. You can read the original article (in Turkish) here, and Google's "my hovercraft is full of eels"-like English translation here. continue
Breaking News: Körfez to Close
no responses - Posted 05.13.09
Here at Istanbul Eats, we’ve been procrastinating on a review of the venerable Bosphorus fine dining and high living establishment Körfez. From the private boat shuttle that takes diners across the Bosphorus to the small, Asian-side cove that is the restaurant’s home, to the delicious sea bass baked in salt, Körfez is one ...continue
no responses - Posted 05.13.09
Here at Istanbul Eats, we’ve been procrastinating on a review of the venerable Bosphorus fine dining and high living establishment Körfez. From the private boat shuttle that takes diners across the Bosphorus to the small, Asian-side cove that is the restaurant’s home, to the delicious sea bass baked in salt, Körfez is one ...continue
Istanbul Eats in the Guardian
no responses - Posted 05.12.09
The Guardian has picked Istanbul Eats as its "Travel Blog of the Month." We are honored. Click here to check out the newspaper's highly informative and fun travel section. continue
no responses - Posted 05.12.09
The Guardian has picked Istanbul Eats as its "Travel Blog of the Month." We are honored. Click here to check out the newspaper's highly informative and fun travel section. continue
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