Sunday — April 25: Part VI
You might have noticed that there’s been no mention of food in the previous five parts that cover today. No, we didn’t go hungry; I just couldn’t find a good spot to insert our meal breaks. So, I’ll cover lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner in this last post.
We completed our partial exploration of Topkapı Palace as the noon hour struck. Rather than searching out a dining venue outside the palace grounds, we decided to check out Karakol Restaurant, near Hagia Irene and Bâb-ı-Hümâyun (Imperial Gate) in the First Courtyard.
(compiled from the restaurant website)
Located in the former “karakol” (sentry headquarters), the restaurant offers a choice between white-cloth table service inside and a more casual experience on the lawn. The beautiful spring-weather made the decision a no brainer; we seated ourselves at a table outside. The café menu offered a selection of salads and sandwiches, as well as grilled entrées. I was not disappointed in the specialty of the restaurant, “Karakol Köftesi” (grilled meatballs), served rustic French fries.
Lunch in the shadow of Byzantine and Ottoman history.
Fast forward — to afternoon tea at Yeşil Ev (Green House), a boutique hotel next door to the handcraft market on Kabasakal Street. The 19th century house, once the residence of the Director of Monopolies, opened as a hotel in 1984.
Tea in the garden behind the building had a very restorative effect, allowing us to continue our sightseeing after a while.
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The original building was in such disrepair that it had to be demolished and rebuilt from scratch.
The garden makes for a nice spot for afternoon tea.
Fast forward again — this time to dinner. While they were scouting out restaurants yesterday, A&M had noticed that the Italian restaurant next to Pera Thai, where we dined last night, was open for dinner on Sundays. So, after our long day of sightseeing, we cleaned up (yes, running water had been restored by the time we returned to the hotel) and walked the short distance to Da Vittorio. (Sorry, no website for this one, but I can tell you that it is located on the ground floor of Ansen 130 Suites on Meşrutiyet Street.)
(compiled from the Ansen Suites website)
We entered the establishment to a chorus of “Ciao, Buona Sera” greetings from the staff, which set the tone for the friendly service that followed. The two appetizers that we ordered — grilled artichokes and “melanzane alla parmigiana” (eggplant parmesan) — were both good. In fact, the melanzane was by far the best I’ve had anywhere. And the meat lasagna that I had for my main course was perfect, with just enough sauce to keep the pasta moist without drowning it.
I wish I could say that we wrapped up dinner with a tasty dessert, but by the time we were done, no one had room for another bite. The tiramisu did look good, though!
A “Locanda Italiana” in İstanbul to rival any in Italy.
The “Sisters” enjoying one last meal in İstanbul.
It was downright cold when we left Da Vittorio. The brisk air quickened our steps back to the hotel where suitcases awaited packing.
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