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/34100 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34100 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34096 Don't fancy that? They also offer a four-course tasting menu of contemporary Turkish food which changes daily. Book ahead, since they have very limited tables.
I went on my 30th birthday and they bought me out a small cake and candle, while the staff sang 'Happy Birthday'.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34096 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34095 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34082 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34081 However, if you truly want to get to the heart of Turkey’s crowning glory, Istanbul, there is no better nor faster way than the midye.
Midye, the little stuffed mussels with rice and lemon juice, are ubiquitous in most Turkish cities. But to walk across the Galata Bridge, eating midye, watching the sunrise, is another experience in itself. The rice in the overstuffed morsel, absorbs the saltiness of the sea and the sourness of the lemon, producing a combination much like Istanbul itself, that in the overcrowding of 11 million people and four empires, you can find peace in the calm waters of the Bosphorus, highlighted by the sharpness of the sun.
On this bridge, at this time, with this food, you can feel the overwhelming sense of beauty of the Queen of Cities.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34081 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34080 House Cafe is a modern stylish eating establishment sitting on the banks of the Bosphorous serving a wonderful East meets West selection of fare for a reasonable price (much better than the surrounding hotels). I recommend their scrabbled egg on rye bread followed with a gorgeously presented fresh virgin apple mojito.
You can sit in the shade on decking looking out at the water or inside if its just too hot. At night the place becomes a nightclub/bar which is much friendlier than their neighbours.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34080 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34058 These are the places that specialise in one type of food, meatballs, liver, turkish pizza etc. They know their food, source locally and will serve you their dishes with great pride.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34058 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34050 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34050 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34020 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34013 And If the weather is less than kind, there is an indoor restaurant on the floor below with equally good views.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/34013 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31422 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/31387 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30864 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30864 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30642 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/30642 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27826 Secondly, a totally authentic and cheap place for late breakfast or lunch in the bazaar is Onur Pilic (meaning "Honour Chicken"). This hole-in-the-wall serves delicious "menemen", scrambled eggs with tomato, cheese and green peppers served with French bread. Even better - ask for slices of chicken from the doner above to be placed on top, add chili flakes and enjoy.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27826 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/27405 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26427 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26427 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26426 homemadeistanbul.com) on a wander. The restaurant provides a lovely and reasonable lunch. There was a mixture of Turkish and Mediterranean food on the menu and everything was lovely. It had the best salads we found in Istanbul. We were surprised to find wine at a reasonable price as well as the great food. To get there take the tram to Sirkeci then walk back (if you came from the Sultanhamet). It's easy to find because of the non-Turkish sounding name and the woman in the window making fresh bread (which was, again, the best we had in Istanbul).]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26426 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26105 You will have a gourmet experience and live any food lovers dream, with many different options on the menu - Turkish and Ottoman, international ( very good steak choices), and some seafood options. All were so good but we have enjoyed the Ottoman part of the menu most - the apple steak was amazing too. We ate at Amedros many times for lunch and dinner during our one week stay in İstanbul.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/26105