My trip to Istanbul

My trip to Istanbul

This is my second trip to Istanbul; I just felt I am seeing it for the first time. My previous visit was 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!

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.

This was at Atelier Real Food, Ritz Istanbul!

Turkey has a great fame and reputation for its exquisite cuisine.  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!

I had the most enticing “Sinop Manti” at the “Ritz-Carlton Hotel” in Istanbul. The chef explained to me that every region has its own unique way of making manti.  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.  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!

Sailing on a sophisticated cruise and enjoying the most breathtaking night view of the Bosphoros!

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 – equivalent to our kaak bread in Beirut in terms of popularity and taste.

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!

This was another type of cheese that tasted phenomenal with simit and honey, “Lor Cheese”, 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 “Faik Pasha Cafe“. A family-run restaurant with good food, helpful staff, and cosy atmosphere, don’t miss the freshly baked borek as well!!

Turkish Pisi, a special fried dough served with cheese and a cup of tea, similar to the Lebanese zalabia

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

Nice cafe with Bosphorus view near Topkapi Palace

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!

Dining at Nicole restaurant was memorable with its great views over the city, the food and setting were great with so many amuse-bouche.  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!

Gazpaco apple ginger

Some great fine dining restaurants that we enjoyed during our stay in Istanbul

• Nicole
• Park Fora
• Neolokal
• Atelier Real Food, Ritz Carlton Hotel

Other cultural and food trips worth sharing with you:

• My previous trip to Istanbul and Alanya

• My trip to Paris

• My trip to Canada