Job Discussion Forums

[bron]

There have been some references to restaurants and shops (maybe other than Migros???) that cater to those complete lunatics who want to eat something other than Turkish food every day of their lives, but I'm just looking to get as much of this sort of information as possible in one place... also about where to get hard to find fruit, veg and spices like fresh ginger and avocadoes!

So, there's Lokal in Taksim, which I adore (although took a Turkish friend and he HATED it) and there's a Chinese restaurant just down from the Marmara hotel which does a decent buffet lunch for a decent price... 10 mill or so. And there's the Indian restaurant in the same building as Taksim English Time, which I thought was quite good but my roommate didn't. There's also quite a good one right in the middle of Sultanahmet, Dubb, with a fabulous view of the Blue Mosque and Aya Sofya from its uppermost floor. And there's a good but very pricey Japanese restaurant near Taksim meydan that's just called Japanese Restaurant, where I went for my birthday (yum yum the food, ouch ouch the bill).

In Bakırk�y, the Chinese restaurant in Galleria has a little shop attached to it which is a great source for Chinese and Japanese ingredients... they have everything you need to make sushi, for example!

For my part, I'd like a good source for avocadoes... I heard Balık Pasajı, but I went and they were rock-hard, apple green and about ten million each! And I'm still curious about that Korean restaurant that Yaramaz mentioned several threads back.

Also, I hear there's a Mexican restaurant with branches in both Taksim and on the Asian side, but I could just ask my boss about the exact location of that one!

Anyone else got any favourite non-Turkish food spots? Personal recommendations are always better than Time Out İstanbul for me!

[vre]

Gima sells avocados (1 to 3 million depending on season) and fresh coriander (many places do)

Migros (sorry) sells red and green thai curry paste.

Carrefour sells coconut milk and green thai curry paste

[bron]

I've heard of Carrefour but never been to one... what and where is Gima? Cilantro and avocadoes are definitely commodities!

I don't recall seeing Thai paste at the (I believe) 4 M Migros in Carousel, which is the biggest one I've been to... I guess it must be a 5 M thing or I haven't looked properly... I'll look again...

And I forgot to mention that Balık Pasajı did offer me fresh ginger... I used to buy it from a health food store called Ambar, though

[calsimsek]

For those on the Asain side there are two great shops that sell everything.
Kardeş Gida on the sea side road from Kadik�y towards G�ztepe. Up market, Deli like the ones in the states or London. They even have pork and Ham. Also ORAK in Kozyata. Great Deli come market. imported meats, cheese, can goods. Prices are high but so what.

[vre]

Gima is a supermarket. I go to the one on Bagdat Cad. It is a small one but I like it. They take your trollies down the escalator, it's fun.

I get the Thai paste from a mere MM migros in Kiziltoprak on Bagdat Cad. They are a thai brand in plastic pots with lids. They are near the canned kidney beans, sweetcorn etc.

Carrefour is a really nice supermarket, there is a very big one in Kozyatagi and one in Kadikoy, but I don't know about the other side.

I want to check out those other places mentioned by Calsimsek. And exactly, it's expensive but so what! If I want a foreign treat, I BUY IT! and never feel guilty about it!

WARNING! Always check the dates on foreign perishables!

[teacherdude]

There's a pretty good Indian Restaurant near the German hosp. in Taksim.

Go to the hospital and look at the road directly opposite the entrance...look down the road..I think it's called the "little Indian Rest."

You can't miss the sign.

Great patio in the back.

There's a mexican restaurant not far from Levent subway (I think) It's an American franchise...but the name has escaped me...El Torrito's???

There are two rooms ... the posh room where the food is more expensive and then a basic room, that servers the same food but cheaper.

Ther's another Japanese restaurant not far from MacDonald's at Taksim Medan...it's called Hai...and if you continue down Cumurriet...you will see yet another one on your right side....before the Hilton hotel.

There's an Argentine Rest. in Beyoglu...on the street where the American Consulate used to be.

Lokal in Beyoglu also sells pretty good ethinic food...Thai and Indian for ex.

One street over from the Chinese rest. u mentioned...go down the street past all the Bus Companies...you will see another Chinese rest...they have special prices at lunchtime and a nice pation also.

TD

[vre]

TD, I truly love you yaaaa! I have been searching for an Indian for yonks! I will give you all feedback after my vindaloo

[teacherdude]

If that's the case, then check out Dubb...the food there is amazing...

The Little Indian rest. is quite good too.

I've heard there's quite a good Indian rest. in Besiktas.

I was given the card, but never went.

TD

[Bogazicibaby]

The indian restaurant Dubb........ Something with duck in it? I can't remember the name of it either is in sultanahmet. The street is the street parallel to the tramway.... its not a car street, just pedestrian. The food is good but expensive, but as everyone says, when you want a treat, who cares about the cost.

For those on the European side, Carrefour SA is located in Bayram Pasa, near the bus station. Its a great place to shop as long as you don't go during the weekend. During the weekend, you can barely move due to the massive amounts of people. I've found lots of things I hadn't seen a year ago. The Migros in Aksary has lots of foreign food that I didn't see a year ago.

I was in Nisantasi last week and in the window of a bakkal, I saw a very nice display of foreign food. Sorry, I don't remember the exact location or name.

In Taxim, near the Chinese resaurant, there is a pretty decent Italian place. They sub kasir peynir for parmisan, but its good food. I've also come across some place that serves some Thai stuff. I don't remember the place since I don't enjoy Thai food. Its down Istiklal Cad (walking towards Tunel side) and on one of the side streets going to the right. My husband and friend loved the food there.

[Bogazicibaby]

The indian restaurant Dubb........ Something with duck in it? I can't remember the name of it either is in sultanahmet. The street is the street parallel to the tramway.... its not a car street, just pedestrian. The food is good but expensive, but as everyone says, when you want a treat, who cares about the cost.

For those on the European side, Carrefour SA is located in Bayram Pasa, near the bus station. Its a great place to shop as long as you don't go during the weekend. During the weekend, you can barely move due to the massive amounts of people. I've found lots of things I hadn't seen a year ago. The Migros in Aksary has lots of foreign food that I didn't see a year ago.

I was in Nisantasi last week and in the window of a bakkal, I saw a very nice display of foreign food. Sorry, I don't remember the exact location or name.

In Taxim, near the Chinese resaurant, there is a pretty decent Italian place. They sub kasir peynir for parmisan, but its good food. I've also come across some place that serves some Thai stuff. I don't remember the place since I don't enjoy Thai food. Its down Istiklal Cad (walking towards Tunel side) and on one of the side streets going to the right. My husband and friend loved the food there.

[teacherdude]

Bog. the restaraunt your husband loved is Lokal.

Some very nice Thai and Indian dishes.

I belive if you walk towards the Tunnel...it's just before the end of Ist. Cad...a side street on the right.

Should you go, they automatically serve you bread and water which you have to pay for, but they never tell you, you just realize it on the bill.

We usually just take the bread...it's damn good with the paste they serve.

TD

[whynotme]

for foreign ingredients....go to supermarkets in cihangir especially the one on sıraselviler street on the left .... cant remember the name

the other place where u can find foreign ingredient is nisantası ...as bogazici baby said even bakkals in nişantası have different choices....

but turkish food is the best

try istim kebabı or ali nazik kebap

[bron]

I've heard there's a place in Kadık�y -- or on the Asian side at least -- that sells Marmite... is it Carrefour or somewhere else? I'm down to my last few scrapes!

[dmb]

My 2 kuruş.
There is a chinese supermarket about 20 metres from the Pangalti metro exit.
Gima on Siraseliviler Cad. is quıte good for fresh herbs.
There is an organic shop on Kallavi so.( just after St. Antoine.)
At the end of Akarsu sok in Cıhangir there is a small supermarket called Dia that sells loads of Foreign stuff.
Best Foreign restaurant is Vienta del torros(sp?). It's near Galata kulesi. I believe its the only tapas bar in Ist.(they also have flamenco dancers at the weekend.)
Other good restaurants include Pano and Vıctoire levy near the British consolate. VL does a really nice chiken in chocolate sause. I kid you not.
5. kat on soğanci sok. in Cıhangir has a very large menu.Food from all round the world.
My favourite place at the moment is Smyrna on Akarsu sok in Cihangir-wicked steaks.

[vre]

And you can get soya milk in a nice shop near the balik pazar in Kadikoy. It also sells essential oils, great olives, fresh chilli pastes, walnut pastes and many other things. Cant remember the name - altin something but it is very clean and the owners give advice about their products in English, if necessary.