{"id":8456,"date":"2019-12-01T22:20:45","date_gmt":"2019-12-01T22:20:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/?p=8456"},"modified":"2024-11-08T15:47:17","modified_gmt":"2024-11-08T15:47:17","slug":"my-trip-to-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hadiaslebanesecuisine.com\/blog\/my-trip-to-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"My Trip to Istanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"

This is my second trip to Istanbul; I just felt I am seeing it for the first time.\u00a0My previous visit<\/a>\u00a0was with the kids. The more you visit, the more you fall in love. The week I spent was not enough for me to explore all the countryside. Ramzi and I booked at the Ritz Carlton Hotel which is located in the heart of the city, overlooking the magnificent Bosphorus and Dolmabahce Palace!<\/p>\n

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The rooms at the Ritz are very comfortable and well , refurbished, and the location is great as it is just a few minutes walk to Taksim and a few minutes walk to Dolmabahce Palace as well.<\/p>\n

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This was at Atelier Real Food, Ritz Istanbul!<\/p>\n

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Turkey has a great fame and reputation for its exquisite cuisine.\u00a0 A gastronomy influenced by different cultures, civilizations and other neighboring cuisines; a fusion of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Balkany cuisine! Whether you are eating street food or dining at a luxurious restaurant, food in Turkey never fails to amaze you!<\/p>\n

I had the most enticing \u201cSinop Manti\u201d at the \u201cRitz-Carlton Hotel<\/a>\u201d in Istanbul. The chef explained to me that every region has its own unique way of making manti.\u00a0 Sinop is a province of Turkey along the Black Sea, all I could say about the dish is that it is out of the world good.\u00a0 I am looking forward to making it one day, though it does look like a quite skill and requires concentration and experience to master! Phenomenal!<\/p>\n

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No trip to Istanbul is complete without enjoying simit, a a daily ritual round sesame bread often sandwiched with white cheese paired with a thin waist tea cup. Simit is the most famous bread in the extensive Turkish breakfast repertoire. They are often sold by street vendors in Istanbul \u2013 equivalent to our\u00a0kaak bread<\/a>\u00a0in Beirut in terms of popularity and taste.<\/p>\n

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Being born with a sweet tooth, I preferred the cream cheese and honey filling, the combo was to die for, though simit is more associated with savory fillings, like a cheese similar to feta, cucumbers, tomatoes and olives paired with a cup of tea!<\/p>\n

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This was another type of cheese that tasted phenomenal with simit and honey, \u201cLor Cheese\u201d, a crumbled type of cheese relatively unsalted that makes it great with honey and any savory bread, including simit. We had this exquisit delicious homemade breakfast at \u201cFaik Pasha Cafe<\/a>\u201c. A family-run restaurant with good food, helpful staff, and cosy atmosphere, don\u2019t miss the freshly baked borek as well!<\/p>\n

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Turkish Pisi, a special fried dough served with cheese and a cup of tea, similar to the Lebanese\u00a0zalabia<\/a><\/p>\n

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Pide, a flat bread available widely in Turkey, the filling is made of meat\/ cheese and veggies!<\/p>\n

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Nice cafe with Bosphorus view near Topkapi Palace.<\/p>\n

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We had a short walk on the Bosphorus, and enjoyed kumpir, at Ortakoy! A main attraction that tourists visit during their stay in Istanbul! Kumpir is the Turkish version of a jacket potato, usually baked and filled with various veggies and cheese; a street food not to be missed if you visit Istanbul!<\/p>\n

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Dining at Nicole restaurant was memorable with its great views over the city, the food and setting were great with so many amuse-bouche.\u00a0 The brioche with caramelized onions was amazing, and the gazpaco apple ginger was to die for. We spent a delightful evening and thoroughly enjoyed the food!<\/p>\n

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Gazpaco apple ginger<\/p>\n

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Some great fine dining restaurants that we enjoyed during our stay in Istanbul:<\/p>\n