I know there is a restaurant resource on this site but not every one posts on it, I need an upscale recommendation in the Old City, thanks

What Old City?

sorry really bad syntax...ISTANBUL, jeez I get hopeless sometimes sorry

Marko,

You will see many restaurants in the old city. The question must be what is your budget? Do you want to eat OTTOMAN or TURKISH food. You don't need to ask anyone in here about restaurant because when you go Istanbul you will see many because WE LOVE EATING.

Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]

Sinan yes we do love eating don't we...

Marko this is the one thing you wont miss in Turkey, however when you mean upscale its a different point;

however there are number of options,

All the best

Marko -
I'm off to Istanbul in October - I found chowhound.com to be very helpful. Also - do a searh at nytimes.com and the washingtonpost.com - there are a couple articles about the restaurant scene in Istanbul.

I have found that there are sooooo many restaurants in Istanbul and the surrounding areas - it's mind boggling at times.

I'll post my tentative restaurants (when I get to work) and maybe Sinan will offer his opinion....

Marko -
This is what I have on my list so far - I'm still trying to find reviews / comments, etc. I've also found virtualtourist.com helpful

Sinan -
Any comments/opinions - good or bad - thanks:

Balikci Sabahattin behind the Armada Hotel in Sultahmet

Mavi Ev - rooftop terrace -- view is suppose to be spectacular

Mavi-Yesil on the Bosphorus

Seven Hills - Sultanahmet - rooftop restaurant offers a stunning view

Yesil Ev, Sultanhamet - part of the Yesil Ev Hotel

Kanaat Lokantasi - Uskadar restaurant

Korfez - boat ride across Bpsphorus; candellit water front setting

Park Fora

Daruzziyafe

The restaurant at the Kempinski Cirigan Palace Hotel - gorgeous hotel grounds and views of the Bosphorous, food very good, not excellent and expensive

Sunset grill - touist place?

Sarnic - atmosphere is beautiful but the food and waiters aren't the best

Pierre Loti Cafe - view of Istanbul and the nearby cemetary

Pandeli is on the 2nd flr of the Spice Bazaar

5 KAT - looks to be a bit trendy but great view


Nevizhade Street - there are terraces even at the roofs, from where you can have a nice view of Istanbul. At number 27 (3rd floor) you can find the ?Secret garden?(Gizli ) a nice café with wonderful views - Nevizhade is parellel to Istiklal between Balik and Yesil Cam Streets, in front of the Galatasaray Lycee


Galata Bridge cafes - you can have a wonderful view of the Eminonu Pier and the Topkapi, with all the ferries coming and going. Specially nice for the sunsets, you can have a wonderful view of the Istanbul skyline

I'm wondering where to get borek esp su boregi and gozleme

There is also a historic confectioner's shop in the Sultanhamet

Inci Pastanesi - delicious profiterols - istiklal Street. No: 124/2

Balikci Sabahattin behind the Armada Hotel in Sultahmet was wonderful. It's a fixed price menu and they keep bringing you wonderful seafood and decent wine. I recommend it most highly.

Bravo!marktynernyc thats a quite a list.


Balikci Sabahattin behind the Armada Hotel in Sultahmet YES good one and also Armada Hotels roof top restaurantis good

Mavi Ev - rooftop terrace -- view is suppose to be spectacular VIEW is a WOOW
dont know the food.

Korfez - boat ride across Bpsphorus; candellit water front setting PEOPLE COMMENTS NÝCE ON THIS

Daruzziyafe GOOD

The restaurant at the Kempinski Cirigan Palace Hotel - gorgeous hotel grounds and views of the Bosphorous, food very good, not excellent and expensive
DEFINATELLY
Sunset grill - touist place? ALSO FAVORITE BETWEEN TURKISH SOCIETY

Sarnic - atmosphere is beautiful but the food and waiters aren't the best
ANOTHER YES
Pierre Loti Cafe - view of Istanbul and the nearby cemetary FAMOUS

Pandeli is on the 2nd flr of the Spice Bazaar DEFINATELY

5 KAT - looks to be a bit trendy but great view


Nevizhade Street - there are terraces even at the roofs, from where you can have a nice view of Istanbul. At number 27 (3rd floor) you can find the ?Secret garden?(Gizli ) a nice café with wonderful views - Nevizhade is parellel to Istiklal between Balik and Yesil Cam Streets, in front of the Galatasaray Lycee
NEVIZADE IS GOOD EXPERIENCE

I'm wondering where to get borek esp su boregi and gozleme MOST FINE PATISSERIES WOULD HAVE THIS

Inci Pastanesi - delicious profiterols - istiklal Street. No: 124/2 YUMMYYY

Altough you asked Sinan for opinions I also wanted state my Votes on the ones I know.

Afiyet Olsun "Bon A Petite "

All the best and have a wonderful time in Istanbul & Turkey

Propertravel -
Thanks - I've been doing my research.

A chowhound mentioned Refujas Cafe - the chef/owner is the alice Waters of istanbul.

Also - would you know of any Istanbul restaurants that do contemporary spins on Turkish cuisine? Thanks.

Hi marktynernyc
Here are my comments about the restaurant you request:

1) Balikci Sabahattin behind the Armada Hotel in Sultahmet
++ Nice restaurant and you can get only fresh fish BUT price very high.
2) Mavi Ev - rooftop terrace.
++ Hotel has nice roof restaurant BUT food are really poor.
3) Mavi-Yesil on the Bosphorus
++ I don't know (sorry)
4) Seven Hills - Sultanahmet - rooftop
++ Nice restaurant for tourist food are not bad not good.
5) Yesil Ev, Sultanahmet
++ Hotels restaurant so don't expect more then regular hotel food (If I were you I would not go any hotel restaurant)
6) Kanaat Lokantasi - Uskadar
++ This is nice restaurant in Uskudas BUT There are many reataurant in Uskudar better then this. I don't give you any name because when you go there your will see.
7) Daruzziyafe
++ THIS IS THE BEST RESTAURANT IN YOUR LIST NEXT SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE.
8) The restaurant at the Kempinski Cirigan Palace Hotel
++ This is the best hotel in Turkey so I can say that the food are excellent like price.
9) Sarnic
++ This is one of the nice reataurant which was converted from CISTERN, Food are OK in terms of price.
10) Pierre Loti Cafe
++ This is hotels cafe and food are very expensive and not Turkish style.
11) Pandeli Restaurant
++ The best restaurant in Spice Market the food are OK.

IF YOU GO TO ISTAKLAL CADDESI (STREET) you will find many small cafe that you can find DELICIOUS different kind of BOREKS. Any Pastanesi (Pastery house) has it

I think I answer your questions

EAT FOR ME TOO
I will be in Turkey between July and September I smell this delicious food far from Turkey.

Have a nice trip in Turkey

Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]

Hi Marko and marktynernyc

I fond nice article ABOUT KOKAREC (ko-ko-retch )in todays THE NEW YORK TIMES If you copy and past the URL you can read.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/06/24/in...pe/24ISTA.html

Try when you go to Istanbul. The BEST KOKOREC is in the "Sampiyon Kokorec" next CICEK PASAJI on the ISTIKLAL CADDESI STREET

Sinan Akdeniz
[email protected]

You guys are great !!!!

Thanks Sinan - I'll will be sure to try kokorec when I'm in Istanbul.

I've read both good and bad opinions of the red and white Turkish wines. What's your opinion Sinan? I'll definitely be drinking plenty of raki.