Kebabci Iskender – Long live the King

6 ******
To paraphrase Bruce Springsteen talking about Elvis, there may be pretenders, there may be contenders but there can only be one Kebab King.  This is the original of the Bursa Iskender, or, at least, it belongs to the chain that sprang from the first 1850’s one.  Or, at the very least, it is part of the chain [...]

Kebab Dunyasi – Kebab world it is

5 ***** 
If you are meeting friends in Taksim, the chances are fairly high that you’ll be waiting, along with everyone else, outside Burger King.  And it’s also likely that you’re hungry and feeling tempted by the smell of doner kebab wafting out from the row of bufes nearby.  If you can make it just a few doors further [...]

Otantik – How it’s done in Anatolia

4 ****
For some reason I’ve managed never to notice Otantik, despite it’s prominent Istiklal position (no. 170) and unsubtle decor.  Water features and faux foliage abound but although I am sure a more ambience discerning customer would find it tacky, I thought it was charming.  Even the woman sitting fully costumed by her gozleme (Turkish pancake) stone [...]

Taj Mahal – A warning

0*
This is not so much a review as a public service announcement.  I’m not even going to give you the address, as if you don’t know you can’t try and find it.  I’ll say it’s in Cihangir just to help you identify it, should you wander across it.  And if you already know it, surely [...]