My Chez Panisse Experience

My Chez Panisse Experience

June 23rd, 2011  | Category: Restaurants, Travel


Two years before opening Chez Panisse, Alice Waters, together with her friend from the Montessori Centre, started a journey from London and ended up in a remote village in Turkey. In the middle of nowhere, they ran out of gas and asked for help from a big-eyed boy. The boy mimed there wasn't any gas left to pump and when they asked for food, this time he ...

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Paris Continued

Paris Continued

December 06th, 2010  | Category: Restaurants, Travel


I never would have thought one day I'd visit Paris, come back and tell you about a place that serves chocolate mousse in plastic cups. But I really am going to. And please don't leave. Hear me out first. Here's how it happened: Paris/Day 2/Noon/Hotel Room - We are dropping off morning's treasures and about to head out. Friend: "I am so hungry. Let's grab a quick bite ...

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Baylan, Cup Griye and Snaps from Kadiköy Food Market

Baylan, Cup Griye and Snaps from Kadiköy Food Market

February 10th, 2008  | Category: Restaurants, Turkish Cuisine


I haven't been baking much lately. A terrible flu season just got started and I have had my share. As soon as I started feeling better, I kept a promise I made earlier and took two friends to Çiya for their first experience. After Çiya, we toured around the Kadiköy food market and stopped by Baylan Patisserie for their famous Kup Griye. Kadiköy, as well as Çiya ...

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My Last Meal

My Last Meal

December 09th, 2007  | Category: Restaurants, Turkish Cuisine


A few weeks ago, Matt Gross of The New York Times asked me THE question: "If it was your last meal, what would you eat in İstanbul?" I didn't need to think twice.

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Pera Thai

Pera Thai

November 01st, 2006  | Category: Restaurants


I am mad about Thai food. Unfortunately, there are not that many Thai restaurants in Istanbul. In fact, there are not that many restaurants representing other countries' food in Istanbul. I am pretty sure some Turkish people will disagree, but my bar is high. I am not counting some street corner/all touristic Thai or Indian restaurant located in Sultanahmet area with distasteful shop sign boards. And I ...

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