http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28926 These dishes include lamb in a sauce made from pomegranate syrup, chicken served on a bed of rice with almonds, apricots and saffron, courgettes stuffed with minced lamb - yum. There are also various intriguingly cooked steaks, the usual pasta etc, but the Ottoman food is the best. Reasonable prices, considering that wine in Istanbul costs. Two starters, two mains, a beer and two glasses or wine came to about 44 quid. You can spend far more in this touristy area for far less. Next time I'm going to try the Cappadocian stew cooked in a clay pot and brought to the table aflame - it seems a favourite.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/28926 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26198 www.santralistanbul.com), spent the morning there, then hopped in a dolmus down to Eyup. A cable car brings you up to the shady, hillside cafe. It's a little touristy, but get a good seat and with cay pretty much on tap, you will be well and truly rooted. The Halic (Golden Horn) ferry snakes back via Haskoy. Look out for the partially submerged submarine, an exhibit belonging to the Rahmi M. Koc transport museum.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26198 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11471 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5131
One of the nicest times to visit this cafe is between 5 and 7pm in summer when you can watch the sun setting over the Bosphorous and the sea ferry's travelling across it.

Just for information, Ask (pronounced Ashk) means love in Turkish.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5131 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5111
There are many cafes and little shops in which to poke around but they are a little more expensive than the norm.

Despite this you can sit with a drink, watch the boats glide past, and admire the bridge which is lovely by day or night. Heaven!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5111 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2945
Reputedly the orginal cistern was built by Constantine the Great with the curent one enlarged and rebuilt by Justinian in 532. It is an amazing feat of engineering seeing the columns (approx. 336) stretch away in front of you and above towards the arched roof.

Don't miss the Weeping Column and the Medussa Head column bases (thought to mark a shrine to water nymphs).

There is also a small coffee shop in the cistern.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2945 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2211
Emine spoke good English as she had lived in the UK for over 30 years and both sisters were so helpful when we badgered them with questions and requests for tips on things to do. In an area that was crowded with bars/cafes and restaurants, we found this place to be excellent value and quality and we ended up eating breakfast, lunch and dinner there on separate occasions. I would recommend a visit here to anyone. You couldn't hope to meet a nicer pair of Istanbulites in an authentic atmosphere.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/2211 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1859
The medresseh itself houses workshops and exhibition rooms highlighting traditional Turkish crafts such as calligraphy, ceramics, jewellery and so on which you can look round either before or after your meal.

The food was well prepared and very tasty and our kick-boxing, friendly and attentive waiter was great!

The menu reflects more of a cafe than a restaurant feel with dishes such as lamb meatballs served with chilli and spaghetti and scrambled eggs with tomatoes and chilli]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/1859 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5112
Perfect for a breather from the city’s frenetic pace, “Cay” or tea and “Nargile” (shisha/water pipe) are exactly what you should come here for as they do little else – but they do it well.

Seating is predominantly outside on the pavement and consists of stools and knee-high tables, but any discomfort is soon forgotten over a competitive game of backgammon.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/5112