Watching the amazing Galata Tower from a roofbar: ROBIN'S

And finally we are together in Istanbul again! Lara has just came back from Toulouse , only for 10 days unfortunately... But still, it is super nice to spend some time together in this beautiful city just like in the old days. And here is our first discovery since Lara came: ROBIN'S

ROBIN'S is a great ROOFBAR in this popular district GALATA. It is located on the hill between Galata Tower and Tunel(The second end of Istıklal Street). As you pass the Galata Tower and climb up the hill , you will see the HOTEL DUO on your left side, which is also a restaurant. Go inside this restaurant and ask immediately where the ELEVATOR is ! Because the surprise is waiting for you upstairs! Fourth Floor and you are kindly welcomed to the roof bar ROBIN'S !

 

It is actually a small terrace (much smaller than we expected) but it doesn't even matter after you see that amazing view of the Galata Tower. Much more than the view of the Bosphorus, this roofbar amazes you by the fact that its located just next to the Galata Tower. While you enjoy your cocktail , you feel so close as you can seriously reach and touch the Galata Tower.

 

Furthermore, this place is not crowded, maybe because it is actually hidden in a hotel. We actually loved the idea that this place is not so easy to see and discover! As it is not so crowded, this bar is a super option to spend some hours before a dinner and having a drink while enjoying the view. And that was what we did the other day! We went to this place about 19.00 pm and enjoyed our conversation with a glass of wine. Of course there was a lot to talk about!

After all , Robin's is a perfect place with its
AMAZING VIEW
GOOD QUALITY OF SERVICE
NICE, EASY LISTENING MUSIC
GOOD SELECTION OF WINE ( They have a couple of wine options which you can order as a glass - a glass of wine is about 20-25 Turkish Lira)
TASTY COCKTAILS ( We tried a cocktail which was similar to Gin Tonic- but they added cucumber in it! I have never thought before that cucumber would go so great with a drink! - It was so fresh! )

Klasik Müzik Esintileri ve Nefis Kahve : Cherry Beans Coffee

Bu tatlı mekanın okulumun yanı basında olması büyük bir şanstı benim icin! 10 saat süren beyin ütülemelerinden sonra arkadaslarla solugu bu şirin cafe de alıp kendimize geliyorduk. Söyle sakin sakin kafa dinlemek icin ideal bir yer burası , önce buram buram nefis kahve cekirdegi kokusu kalbinize işliyor , zaten kokuyu takip ederek mekanı buluyor ve hipnotize olmuş bir şekilde iceri atılıyorsunuz. Ardından da içeride calan hafif müzik ve bu minnacık mekana nazikce sıgdırılmıs süslemeler, fotograflar, dergiler, tablolar , kısaca tüm tatlı ayrıntılar alıp götürüyor sizi. İste tam da okuldan sonra ihtiyacım olan sey ! Hele bir de cam kenarındaki masayı kapmışsam, ne mutlu bana. Alıyorum en az kokusu kadar lezzetli olan kahvemi, kulagımda klasik müzik esintileri, izliyorum gelip geceni. Cogu zaman hafif klasik müzik calındıgına denk geldim ve bu tercihleri özellikle cok hosuma gitti. Bu sıcak mekana, nefis kahve kokusuna, bir de her yarım saatte bir yayılan bastan cıkarıcı nefis sıcacık taze keklerin kokusuna, klasik müzik dalgaları esligi on numara olmuş. Tüm bu ince zevkleri ile Cherry Bean Coffees'in ayrı bir yeri var bende.

Mekan nerede? Meshur Galata Kulesi'nden asagıya ( Karakoye) dogru inen yolun üstünde. Buyrunuz bakınız:

Turkish Food is not only about ISKENDER !!!

If you ever come to Istanbul , of course you should not be leaving this city without trying our authentic traditional cuisine! But I should tell you this: Turkish cuisine is not only about KEBAP and ISKENDER ! It is much more ! People always think about heavy food when it comes to Turkish Food . But actually we have lots and lots of traditional dishes which are totally HEALTHY such as our crock pot dishes we make with lots of vegetables and legumes.
And here is a great spot where you can find an enormous selection of these kind of fresh, healthy and EXTREMELY DELICIOUS turkish dishes: HELVETIA

 In this tiny restaurant the tradition sounds like this: They cook in their tiny kitchen, put the dishes on a big table, you go inside , check out these yummy dishes on the table which all look and smell and taste yummy and pick whatever you like. You can either full your plate with just one dish or you can pick five different dishes ( which I always prefer ) . There are lots of different dishes , some are vegetarian some include meat or chicken. Just pick what you would like to try: You won't get dissappointed about any of them! I have been to these place dozens of times and I loved every dish I tried. Because they cook with love , they cook with fresh ingredients. And the best thing about this place: It is so CHEAP !
You get a full plate with so healthy and delicious dishes and they charge you only about 13-15 Turkish Lira for this big plate !

You pay a little + you get totally full + you are totally happy about the fact that you tasted so delicious food = Isn't it just a dream??
So when you are in Istanbul , PLEASE make a stop in this place and give a chance to our authentic vegetable and crock pot dishes !
And I remind you again : Of course you have to try our famous DÖNER and ISKENDER and whatever but if you like vegetables , you will be once again amazed by our vegetable dishes which are only cooked in a way that is only found in turkish cuisine.

WHERE IS THIS PLACE??
It is located in this famous districh called Asmalımescid which is located on Tünel. Tünel is the second end of the Istiklal Street. ( The fisrt end is the Taksim Square )
Here is the map:

A small break at Cafe Velvet

Nowadays cute little cafes open up at every corner in the side streets. They are usually really really small but that is actually the sweet thing about them :) People decorate these little places so creatively and fill the inside with lots of stuff that there is only space for a few steps maybe :D  They are such like little museums and I love this fact about them!
And here is one of those cute little cafes : CAFE VELVET
This cafe is in a side street in Galata : When you stand in front of this famous Galata Tower, there is this hotel right at the corner on your right side and there is a small street going down . Go down that street and you are gonna see this little cafe on your left side.

It is cozy.
It is cheap.
The music is super good. (slow and relaxing)
The owners are very kind.
Their products are tasty.

You just feel at home! Both the atmosphere and the products make you feel home. Because what they prepare is all homemade. The menu is just simple: hot drinks,cold drinks and some breakfast dishes and a few homemade pastry stuff.
I sometimes adore these simple menus cause it is just easier to pick something as the menu does not get you confused. What I picked was a homemade Turkish dessert called HOMEMADE UN HELVASI and that tasted AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS!

You can also try their Breakfast options such as MENEMEN or HOMEMADE BOREK. For drinks I suggest you their yummy fresh homemade lemonade!

What I really liked was the way they serve the coffee: together with a little milk in a cute authentic glass and two homemade cookies.
Such little details are always important!

more info: http://velvetcafegalata.com/

Best Breakfast Spot: CAFE PRIVATO

Today I want to share a discovery not in the Kitchen but in the city !
I love breakfasts... especially Turkish breakfasts are amazingly rich and delicious!
BUT having a good breakfast in İstanbul is actually not that easy because most of the cafes UNFORTUNATELY serve bad quality of breakfast ingredients and charge you a lot !
I tried so many cafes but I was never satisfied with their breakfast plates :( seriously!

BUT I FOUND IT ! After searching for a loong loong time I finally found a SUPER BREAKFAST SPOT in İstanbul. Here it comes : CAFE PRIVATO

This cafe is located in Galata , a tiny cozy place. It is decorated like an authentic home! When you go inside you actually do not feel like you are in a cafe! It is a super sweet cafe with super tasty authentic specialties. I am looking forward to try the food there too cause the menu really got my attention but it is so funny that ı exactly know that the second time I will go I will AGAIN order the BREAKFAST cause it was FANTASTIC !

They have this GELENEKSEL KOY KAHVALTISI which means 'traditional village breakfast' on their menu which costs something like 30 turkish Lira. I know, it is definitely not cheap! But honestly, it worths it ! You can understand that it is worth it even from the picture!

So many varieties that even the table is not big enough! They have great quality of cheese, olives, tomatoes but the most fantastic thing about the breakfast is what they cook: Scrambled eggs with Turkish salami (sucuk), homemade pancakes and some more Turkish pastry stuff which we generally call 'Börek'.Oh and lets not forget the homemade jams they make with fresh fruits. AND AND AND they serve a glass of fresh orange juice. The tea is unlimited ! ! !

Despite the price I definitely recommend this place if you are looking for the best Turkish breakfast in this town!
MORE INFO: http://privatocafe.com/
ON GOOGLE MAP: http://privatocafe.com/iletisim-2/