restaurant recommendation in Istanbul? <BR>

We highly recommend Daruzziyafe by the Suleymaniye Camii. Be advised that there is another restaurant with same name by the Blue Mosque----don't go there. <BR>If you ask a taxi to take you to the restaurant, you may end up at the later place. Instead, ask him to take you to the Suleyman Mosque. The restaurant is directly opposite the mosque's entrance. While in that area, look around the mosque and you can also visit the tomb of Suleyman in the same complex.

there's a fabulous restaurant a short ride out of the historic center called Park Four, pronounced that way, it's a bit pricey but it's situated on the river and the food is so fresh and delicious, the taxi drivers know where it is, you'll love it!

A strong second vote for the Daruzziyafe, Joe. This restaurant is housed in a beautiful setting. Either you take a table in the court or in one of the vaulted rooms. It's really nice to have some of the best Turkish food admiring Sinan's architecture. Now, the restaurant doesn't serve any alcoholic beverages. This and the fact that, as pointed out by M&J, one may take the opportunity to visit the Sulleyman mosque would make it a place much better suited for lunch than dinner. Prices are surprisingly cheap. <BR> <BR>We also had a very nice dinner at the Yesil Ev hotel garden restaurant. On top of many Turkish specialities one may also order international cuisine plates (we were longing for beef after almost a month having lamb . The food is excellent, the setting may be the prettiest in town, good live piano music, and moderate prices ($20-25 <BR> <BR>Two other restaurants that may be considered are the Tavern-Restaurant Sarniç (a cistern right under the walls of Topkapi, on Sogukçesme Sok) and the Ayasofia Pansiyonlari right across the street. <BR> <BR>Last, but not least, if one likes seafood, IMO one has to dine in Kumkapi at least once in one's stay. This is basically 5 streets that cross at a point. These streets are closed to traffic in the evening and the whole area (also nearby streets) is filled with dozens of restaurants. Every evening te place is filled with tourists and Turks alike. Very lively. In most places people mix and seat around big tables. I don't have a particular restaurant to indicate ... it really doesn't matter much. There are two ways to go about it. One may take a taxi (or the tram) and on arrival one may stroll around the area picking the place that looks more interesting at the moment. If one doesn't want to risk, one may pick a place filled with Turks . The other way to go round it is to arrange things at the hotel at a fixed price. Transportation (van) back and forth to the hotel is included. This turns out cheaper than taking a taxi but one is "forced" to go to the restaurant that is paying the van. When we were there (two couples) we used the latter scheme. It cost $22/person + beverages. The group is normally seated together and Turks will eventually occupy the neighboring table. In our case 2 Turk couples were seated in our table (about 12 people all together) and we had a ball. After dinner we had time to stroll around before being taken home. <BR> <BR>Paulo <BR>

If there is a heaven Santorini must be it. Absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately, we only had the one day on our cruise but it was glorious. It hope to return one day and spend more time.

Go to the Ciragan Palace and have the most wonderfull dinner surronded by a Sultan's Palace and the Bosphorus. <BR>Nino