Dearest Istanbulite,&nbsp;All good things come to an end. Inherently. Here comes the end of the year. You know the story.I am writing these words now, in my favourite quiet café in my neighbourhood in Istanbul. Probably for the last time, this year. Economic crises, wars, earthquakes, explosions and social issues aside, this was the most exciting, intense and exhausting year in my life. It was a rebirth by fire. And I felt a small sliver of hope. Because I believe we all experience during these hard and strange times, the true test of character is searching for the strength to stand on and move forward rather than give up the joy of living and give up on your calling.And I wasn't the only one feeling that way. As a community, we didn’t give up. We met tens of Istanbulites, listened to and then told their stories. 350, the official number of operating bazaars in Istanbul. Did you know that? Kornelia (Binicewiz) told us. We discovered a hidden local restaurant Gaziantepli Mustafalar in Bakırköy, thanks to Civan (Er). Now we know, there’s Efsane Dürümcü Baba AKA Yıldırım Usta, a 70-something gentleman who makes incredible Adana and çöp şiş&nbsp;wraps from a small, white van converted to a grill that is located right in the centre of Kurtuluş Son Durak and is open well into the night. We should give Paul (Osterlund) credit for this. We met on the dance floors of Salon, Zorlu PSM, SumaHan, Babylon, MiniMüzikhol, Gizlibahçe, and other ‘advocates of peace’. And we'll continue painting the town red.For many reasons counted and uncounted above, we thank all Istanbulites we have just mentioned and could not mention here.In my humble opinion, every cloud has a silver lining. This year, thanks to all challenges, we became a real community. A community of people who believe in Istanbul. This is a story that we don’t know the end of yet.&nbsp;Now, we’ll take a week off. Meanwhile, follow us through <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/n/soli-0de" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Soli</a>, a borderless travel community and Istanbul-based travel culture publication uncovering the world by neighbourhood, with their locals.Tag along!Merry Christmas &amp; A Happy New Year,Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">All blue:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://bit.ly/3FS4WCf" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Mavi</a></h1> Mavi is proud to make it to&nbsp;CDP’s (Carbon Disclosure Project) Global A List&nbsp;in the Climate Change category, where only 283 companies are included among 20000 candidates.The first and only ready-made garment company from Turkey on the list, Mavi&nbsp;is developing its eco-friendly All Blue&nbsp;strategy in order to fulfill its goals of designing its full denim range out of All Blue materials by 2030 and becoming a climate-positive company by 2050.You can visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://bit.ly/3GedXG1" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">here</a> to find out more about Mavi’s All Blue strategy.

25 Aralık - Mavi - İstanbul EN 

A weekly, practical guide to Istanbul for those who want to make this city their neighborhood. Every Sunday. 

A weekly, practical guide to Istanbul for those who want to make this city their neighborhood.

Aposto Istanbul

Before the Christmas and the New Year's Eve, we will eat at Bordel and Afil, dance a bit at Mini and discover much more. PS: for new adventures: Soli is calling. 

🕺💃 Under the mistletoe, on the dance floor

We live, work, create, and spend our leisure time in cities. We don't only inhabit them but we design them in every aspect. There is an interrelation. They are the immediate venue for our cultural, social, and political lives. So, the challenges cities face are multilayered and they should be addressed from the top to the bottom.&nbsp;Why am I telling you, actually, to call upon this? Because as Istanbulites, we mostly forget the fact that we can be the solution or at least we can be a part of a solution to our problems. Frequently, we grumble when we don’t find a parking spot or enough space to walk on the sidewalk. We complain about not having enough green fields, public areas, authentic restaurants, cycling paths, free cultural centers, and all that. Very few of us deal with the issues of becoming a participant as well as an inhabitant.&nbsp;Before discussing ‘a better city idea’ or problems of the city, we need to zoom in and evaluate our acts or should I say our passivity in civil life? At least, today, I choose to notice and invite you all.&nbsp;TO DO LIST (It’s just a recommendation)<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Read the latest issue below (to enjoy the last weeks of the year in the city)</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Attend a party to let it go (for example, celebrate Loft’s birthday, you know we all need to listen to Afro beats nowadays)</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Read and follow the <a fr-original-style="" href="https://mekandaadalet.org/en/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Center of Spatial Justice</a> (to learn how to become a participant inhabitant)</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Walk around your neighbourhood (to know it and your city better)</li></ul><a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/show/5ZgljXf1jBuoT7FnZSPu4W?si=20d7d3d392564df1" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">This time, unromantically,</a>Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Sezen Aksu’s story to exhibit at&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://xmediaartmuseum.com/sezen-aksu/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">X Media Art Museum by DasDas</a></h1><img src="https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/images.aposto.com/2022/11/5/1671191913958.png" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="Infinity" width="550" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">X Media Art Museum, Turkey’s first high-tech digital art museum, is hosting an immersive exhibition diving deeper into&nbsp;Sezen Aksu’s life.What is it?&nbsp;Sponsored by&nbsp;Fuga Mobilya and open until March 2023, the exhibition compiled of different experiences focuses on Sezen Aksu’s inspirational biography including her rise to fame after her arrival to Istanbul in the 70s, her creative period in the 80s, her pop music era in the 90s, and her bolder stance during the 2000s.&nbsp;Noted: Areas designated for different experiences allow the visitors to write their own notes to the artist, creating a collaborative and interactive ground.You may visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://xmediaartmuseum.com/sezen-aksu/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> for further information and tickets.&nbsp;

13 Kasım - DasDas - İstanbul EN

While getting ready for Christmas step by step this week, we plan to visit Wonder Village to get into the spirit of the holiday. Of course, we still have much to go. 

📌 This you must remember

Last year, my relationship with Istanbul was shaky and one of my new year resolutions was to fix it. It was time for us to kiss and make up. I said&nbsp;'Look, we could use this time to work on ourselves and our relationship. There's a full year to go.'I moved and started to live in another neighbourhood. I knew what I wanted from the city, myself and this relationship. It was not based on expectations. It was about decisions and dreams. Meanwhile, the city was experiencing some of its most difficult times while I was having the best days. That’s what happens. In every relationship, there is a period that the one is more aware of what they want while the other is feeling lost. That is exactly what we are experiencing.It’s December again. Our relationship is going well, actually. By 'our', I mean me, myself and I. The city &amp; I. This year, fixing our relationship is not on my list. I’m still living in the same neighbourhood. I chose to stay. You know, in every relationship, there is a period that someone chooses to stay or leave because they realise it’s always about them. That was exactly what we had been experiencing.This year, one of my new year's resolutions is to keep dreaming. But first of all, let’s dance together for a while, and to dream again.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7ACjJBxfejpY1T6lvQQAyr?si=55ff3ef2756340fc" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Will you join us?</a>Elif&nbsp;

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Bir Işık Hüzmesi Üzerine exhibits at&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/ibbtaksimsanat/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Taksim Sanat</a></h1>Curated by Begüm Güney, the exhibition Bir Işık Hüzmesi Üzerine is open to visitors until&nbsp;30 December&nbsp;at Taksim Sanat, the exhibition zone of Kültür AŞ by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality.Consisting of surreal works by 17 different artists, the exhibition hosts the works of Sümer Sayın, Serkan Demir, Gözde Mulla, Bilal Yılmaz, Ahmet Öğüt, Ece Kibaroğlu, Nergiz Yeşil, Esin Aykanat Avcı, Ali Şentürk, Fulya Çetin/Sine Ergün, Sergen Şehitoğlu, Mehmet Dere, Özge Yağcı, Osman Dinç, Berkay Tuncay&nbsp;and Özden Demir.You can visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://kultur.istanbul/bir-isik-huzmesi-uzerine-sergisi-taksim-sanatta-ziyaretcilerini-bekliyor/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> to find out more about the exhibition and follow&nbsp;Kültür AŞ <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/kultur_istanbul/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">here</a> to keep up with the latest activities in Istanbul.

11 Aralık - İBB Kültür AŞ - İstanbul EN

This week we are at an exhibition about augmented and artificial intelligence reality, one of the rare delicatessen/wine bars of Istanbul and much more places to discover.

🎄Deck the Balconies, Istanbulite

Here we are. It’s not officially winter, but you can feel it already. Every year, the city changes colours and loses its leaves and needles like a deciduous tree. It retreats into its shell in the winter but continues to grow there. You smell, feel, hear, and think of it without seeing it. You can follow your nose and walk in the snow for baked kestane (chestnut) kebab, follow the voices coming from the street: ‘booooozaaa’ or take the road to Vefa to drink boza (traditional drink), watch every single drop of rain on the window and dream. Sure, it’s romantic, but the essence of winter is.Yet, thank God, you can also follow the sound in a concert hall, dream while you’re watching an art piece in a gallery instead of drops of rain on a window and follow your nose and pull up a chair, sit down in a warm restaurant.&nbsp;And thank God, you experience Istanbul even when it is in its shell.This week to listen, we met with Deniz (Kuzuoğlu), the director of our one and only Salon İKSV. Then to taste, we follow our noses with Civan (Er), the chef of Yeni Lokanta and Yeni Soho. And sure, we dream on the dance floor. Again.&nbsp;And we will keep going.&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/51Uf5StiPwcxXFSMT2krzv?si=ZY8oKIifToiTgaA6Za--6g" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">To all the romantics,</a>&nbsp;Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">A shop for furry friends too: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://getircarsi.onelink.me/Eaz7/5itlf4fh" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">GetirÇarşı</a>&nbsp;</h1> Helping pet owners shop effortlessly from the pet shops in the area, GetirÇarşı delivers all of your pet’s needs to your door within minutes.&nbsp;Including a variety of shops, such as grocery stores, florists, and pet shops; GetirÇarşı&nbsp;delivers everything your furry friend needs from local pet shops to your door in 30-45 minutes.Thousands of quality products including food, toys, litter, and leashes arrive at your door with <a fr-original-style="" href="https://getircarsi.onelink.me/Eaz7/5itlf4fh" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">GetirÇarşı</a>, so that you can devote more time to your fur baby.

4 Aralık - GetirÇarşı - İstanbul en

We are celebrating the return of Beyoğlu Cinema with some kestane (chestnut) and boza. 

🌰 Chestnuts On A Grill, Istanbul in December

When I was a kid, I was as free as a bird. I remember. Probably because I didn’t grow up between four walls, I was raised by the sea, among the trees in the middle of the city. I played outside with my friends, I could go to buy an ice-cream cone alone on a summer day, I had a park I was a regular at, I took tennis lessons in the hood. I was happy but I didn’t know how lucky I was.Bağdat Street and around it, where I grew up, is one of the central points of Kadıköy and the city, which is still green, quiet, and civilised. The place where you hear pipes, walk for miles by the sea, eat the best éclair&nbsp;and cakes in the city, watch a new independent movie in a clean and comfortable movie theatre, drink the best cocktails, shop for and find whatever you want. Except for a club for a rave.Anyway, when you are a kid, you don’t need to rave, playing is enough movement. Yet, after a fun and peaceful childhood, my friends and I get bored. It was not enough anymore. We needed something else, you know, we need what was missing: ‘a real city experience’. When you're a teenager, you need a bit of chaos like you don’t already have enough of it in your head.So, we crossed the bridge to go to ‘karşı’ (the other side of the Bosphorus). Now, we were kids of Cihangir, Bebek, Etiler and Asmalı. It was constantly changing. We hung out wherever we wanted. Then we became adults. We started working and living in ‘karşı’, in the middle of the chaos. The chaos turned into a home. The best concert halls, clubs, theatres, museums and restaurants were around. Later on, again, we thought it was not enough anymore. We needed something else, you know, we need the missing part: ‘a greener, peaceful and civilised city experience’. When you’re an adult, you need a bit of quiet sometimes. You want to run for miles without any barriers like a kid, as free as a bird.Nowadays, when people ask me about where ‘karşı’ is, my answer changes. You know, as an Istanbulite, I need both sides of the Bosphorus, and I accept this. Now, I know how lucky I am. Sometimes I am from Kadıköy, sometimes I am from Beyoğlu. Just like sometimes I am a cheerful kid, sometimes a melancholy woman.&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/5g3oYY3KItihWWRhwqtk07?si=fc4RJq6OTAWIqVIUO_tUOAWWRhwqtk07?si=oOVrJYbQQlmtzSzKlhjq_Q" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">To all the kids of ‘karşı’</a>,Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">A new shopping experience: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.sneaksup.com/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Sneaks Up Campus</a>&nbsp;</h1> Inspired by the city, street culture, and basketball;&nbsp;Sneaks Up&nbsp;opens its newest&nbsp;Campus store in&nbsp;Akasya AVM, Üsküdar.Sneaks Up Campus:&nbsp;Inspiring its visitors with experience zones, the Campus&nbsp;stores offer an innovative shopping experience with DJ performances, customized products, dance and basketball workshops, and more.&nbsp;What to see?&nbsp;Offering experience areas designed for PlayStation games, skateboarding, and basketball; the new Campus&nbsp;store in&nbsp;Akasya AVM also hosts a&nbsp;Custom Studio where visitors can make their own, customized products.You may visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.sneaksup.com/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> or Akasya AVM to join Sneaks Up’s dynamic world.&nbsp;

23 Kasım - Sneaks Up - Fanon EN

This week, we are here with Mini's party series, 11 Seconds performances, an extraordinary tour in Sanayi and our childhood favourite hard candy. The week's suggestion: Don't return home without eating lokum with cream. 

🔍 Where it happens 

Well, today I just want to clear things up. I don't have much to say.&nbsp;Istanbul is a museum every artist wants to leave a mark on.Istanbul is a book you always crave reading more, again and again.&nbsp;Istanbul is a mess you should know how to deal with to survive.&nbsp;And more, yes. Yet:Istanbul is our journey we decide to take no matter what.&nbsp;Istanbul is Istanbul, our source to create, build, change, and preserve.&nbsp;Istanbul is our home, we never give up.&nbsp;Who are we?We are Istanbulites.&nbsp;This week we met with <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/defneozdogan?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Defne</a> (Özdoğan), an architect, creative designer, Londoner and Istanbulite, whose creative juices are flowing here. Then we needed to shake things up to change the energy around, so we reserved tickets for Sónar Istanbul and dreamt big. Later on? We’ll listen to Monolink then see the exhibition titled ‘Foodprint’ in Salt Beyoğlu and attend the new moon event of Beca. What else? Let’s meet in the doorway.&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/album/7yeh58B9RSASjZUq8acJhB?si=MplJwk-3QhmMI82vS2C39A" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">To the all Istanbulites</a>,&nbsp;Elif &nbsp;

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">A companion to the city: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://onelink.to/radaristanbul" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Radar Istanbul</a></h1> Developed by Kültür AŞ by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, the Radar Istanbul app lists the recent cultural events and workshops in Istanbul with just one tap.Integrated with&nbsp;ten different ticketing services, the app lists events in various categories based on the user’s interest and creates tickets on the spot.Compatible with iOS and Android devices, the application is free of charge.You may visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://onelink.to/radaristanbul" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> to download the Radar Istanbul app and catch up with the latest events in the city.

20 Kasım - İBB Kültür AŞ - İstanbul EN

Imagine a city that everyone envies and a community that cannot give up no matter what happens to them. This week, we will talk about Istanbul, concerts, exhibitions, guides for foodies and more. Louder, out-of-spite.

🕊️ Istanbul, where we never give up

It was reminiscent of a summer day. I walked around the streets, I was wearing just a shirt, and I didn't even take a jacket with me. I had lots of plans for the day. Somehow, it felt so light. You know the feeling.I crossed the Galata Bridge twice at sunset. I watched it from both sides. I called it home, I called it ‘karşı’ (the other side), I called it ‘old’, I called it Beyoğlu, I called it Kadıköy, I called it Fatih, and I called them nostalgia. When I arrived at home, Beyoğlu, somehow, I needed a jacket on my shoulders. I was feeling heavy. I ordered a glass of mulled wine and decided to watch the Galata Tower for a while instead of complaining about the crowd and the light shows. For a change. I tried to understand what are the sources of my nostalgia, my frustrations, my dreams and my sense of home and ‘karşı’. I gave up at some point, I don’t remember when. I need to warm up and dance with someone, who has a different set of questions about her home, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://ra.co/dj/samaabdulhadi#:~:text=An%20emblematic%20artist%20of%20the,DJ%20and%20electronic%20music%20producer" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Sama</a>.&nbsp;It was the first Sunday of November. It was, again, reminiscent of a summer day. This time, I had a table full of people with a bunch of questions about our nostalgia, our frustrations and our dreams as an Istanbulite. We were the people who live, create, dream, wallow, suffer and somehow, survive here. What is the point? Why are we here? Who leaves, and who stays? Where was the place we started? Where might we belong, at the end? We looked each other in the eye. We all needed to ask together, not answer. There were a bunch of questions that held us together. You know the feeling.&nbsp;In the end, maybe it was just an Indian-summer and its breeze of nostalgia. You know, you should always remember to take a jacket with you. Or someone to ask questions with. Just in case.&nbsp;This week we met with <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/yaseminbahloul?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Yasemin (Bahloul Nirun)</a> in-between Istanbul and London, in-between home and where she’ll be while ‘The Wizard’ Jeff Mills was waiting for us in Istanbul.&nbsp;Eventually, we’ll meet again on a dance floor or around a table. In Istanbul or London. Who knows.*Special thanks to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/masadamasa_/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Masa da Masa</a>&nbsp;and all the people behind, around, and on it. Because sometimes we all need to ask together.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2ltbJgsitgv5Bnr739OEdx?si=b6cb6d6b4f764ffb" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">To the breeze of nostalgia</a>,&nbsp;Elif&nbsp;

Istanbul is not just a city that exists with its historical beauties. A whole with its locals, sincerity, nature and more than you can imagine. If you are wondering who is playing with whom in the city, come with us.

🎭 3-2-1 Action! 

Nowadays, monogamy is the word on my mind. ‘Monogamy’ in any kind of relationship. For instance, we do not expect to have one friend and share everything with them. We have friends to have fun with, to share deep sh*t with, to dance with, to talk to, to travel alongside… Even to have sex with. So, monogamy is not valid for friendships. Yet, in other kinds of relationships, we mostly tend to be committed to someone, something or somewhere. At least for a while.&nbsp;You know, relationships are complicated. Some of us cannot be like like a fish in water.&nbsp;Well, this is not a relationship journal. So, today the subject is our relationships to cities. For sure. Generally, maybe because it's easier, we prefer sticking to a city and we make it our home. We make memories, collect people, create routines, become regular at our favourite restaurants there. Also we deal with its traffic problem, discrimination, tax system, munincipality issues, rising rent, and so on. At the end, in an adult relationship, you should say ‘for better or for worse’. However, how many is too many? How many cities can we be polygamous with and overcome all these? When does it become overwhelming instead of inspiring?Experience is largely non-transferable. However, it’s better than nothing. We started our research by asking people who are polygamist —live in-between cities: Istanbul and London. Two big cities with different rules that you cannot play without knowing them. One is the first love, the other is something else, you name it. Both Londoners and Istanbulites, they all have good reasons for polygamy. They know they should not expect all in one. But still, we need to ask:&nbsp;how and why?&nbsp;This week we asked <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/sinemer.yoga/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Sinem (Er)</a> who has an expertise valid in every city. She is a yoga instructor, currently living in London, and an Istanbulite at heart.&nbsp;Editor’s note: Subscribe to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/n/london" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Aposto London</a> (aka sis) to follow and read the whole story.Till then, I’ll be wandering through the in-between,Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">The future of draft beer:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://pubinno.com/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Pubinno</a></h1>Supporting all stakeholders in the draft beer ecosystem by enabling them to manage their draft beer operations more efficiently and in excellent quality of pub service, Pubinno produces AI-powered Smart Taps that pour high quality beer.&nbsp;Powered by the data regarding the quality of draft beer sold in different locations, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://pubinno.com/pubinnoselections/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Pubinno Selections</a>&nbsp;offers a map that displays the hottest beer spots in Turkey.Competing at the Europas, Pubinno has made it to the TOP5 Start-Up list in the AgriTech/FoodTech category.You may visit <a fr-original-style="" href="https://pubinno.com/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> to discover&nbsp;the future of draft beer with Pubinno.

6 Kasım - Pubinno - İstanbul EN

This week we shape a bond between Istanbulites and Londoners. Follow the rhythm of the cities and create your weekly event map. Stay tuned for more. 

🧐 An Istanbulite asks: Why not polygamy?

It’s a common practice if someone has recently moved to Istanbul, to ask ‘why’ as an Istanbulite. Especially those who have an affair with the city that is not going well, ask the question. They are the Istanbulites who have a love-hate relationship with Istanbul. So, sometimes they need a fresh reason to stay in this relationship. And they hope to get this reason from the newcomer’s answer. Or they just want to remember why they stay.If you ask me, relationships are not that simple. It's more complicated than the possible answers to the question ‘why?’. Yes, I’m one of those, I have a love-hate relationship with Istanbul. Yet, we have a connection that I could not find anywhere else. We shape, push, thrill, and amaze each other. I can be myself, and find myself in the darkest and brightest days. We've known every aspect of each other for years but still crave more. More to discover, more to live, more to share. We have a history, you know. Today, I may find a reason to go, but I know that we’ll have a future, whether we want to or not.And I’ll always have a reason to stay.Love.This week, we’re reviewing our relationship. Istanbul will surprise us. We’ll dance with Sama Abdulhadi and Amelie Lens for two days in a row. We’ll take a walk in Beşiktaş and stop by Artweeks Akaretler. Then we’ll have a date at Smelt&amp;Co. Later on we’ll meet Bilal &amp; Lydia again to discover the craft ecosystem in the hans&nbsp;of Istanbul.&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6UeVhTj8uKq7nrTt7etiTD?si=496030d630f04406" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">P.S. I love you, Istanbul</a>Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Shine bright like a diamond: <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.etatpur.com.tr/pure-active-saf-vitamin-c-10-15-ml/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Pure Active Vitamin C 10%</a></h1><img src="https://s3.eu-central-1.amazonaws.com/images.aposto.com/2022/9/5/1666943855522.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" ratio="0.99" alt="Pure Active Vitamin C 10%" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">Pure Active Vitamin C 10%Containing the most effective and pure form of vitamin C, Etat Pur’s Pure Active Vitamin C 10% is a multi-tasking serum that brightens the skin while preventing the signs of aging.Pure Active Vitamin C 10%’s proven effects:<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">90% Helps brighten dark spots and circles.*</li></ul>*These results are based on a 56-day test conducted with 30 volunteers. The expected impact on hyperpigmented areas and normal skin is measured.<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">87% Improves skin complexion.**</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">81% Helps the skin regain its natural glow.**</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">80% Helps even skin tone.**</li></ul>**These results are based on a 28-day test conducted with 33 volunteers. The expected impact on hyperpigmented areas and normal skin is measured.You may visit&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.etatpur.com.tr/pure-active-saf-vitamin-c-10-15-ml/" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> to find your own natural glow with Etat Pur.&nbsp;

30 Ekim - Etat Pur - İstanbul en

This city always creates a reason to stay. 

🙋 We want to know: Why are you here? 

There are only extremes here. You can find yourself in extreme glamour or extreme ramshackle. You don’t have to go far to find it. Just take a cab and go around Levent and Bebek. The contrast is surreal.You are embraced by concrete here. But when you go down or up a hill, you realise the sea is all around you. The city is fluid as well as solid. It is possible to be stuck and also be flowing and moving forward at the same time.&nbsp;Isn’t it liberating?This week we met with Nora Byrne at Nadas; her residency, and the place where she produces. We stopped by to see woodworking gentlemen&nbsp;and hip ceramicists in Yeldeğirmeni. Then we moved on.The next stop will be one of our favourite meyhanes in Istanbul. Ending the night with Arab Strap sounds good, right? Maybe we’ll travel back in time with Ancient Futures at the Istanbul Archaeological Museum tomorrow.&nbsp;There are only extremes here.<a fr-original-style="" href="https://soundcloud.com/user-637448757/zel-zele-170822" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Isn’t it liberating?</a>Elif

<h1 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="font-size: 2em; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Group exhibition at <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.mesher.org/Home/English" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Meşher</a>: I am Nobody. Are You Nobody Too?</h1>Curated by Selen Ansen and inspired by the ancient Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus’ unrequited love, the group exhibition I am Nobody. Are You Nobody Too? will be open in&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.mesher.org/Home/English" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Meşher</a>&nbsp;until 12 February 2023.Interpreting the themes of reflection, resonance, and metamorphosis that are highlighted by the myth in light of contemporary artistic and social dynamics, I Am Nobody. Are You Nobody Too?&nbsp;features nearly 120 works by 44 artists from both Turkey and abroad, including works created for this exhibition with the support of the&nbsp;Vehbi Koç Foundation.The exhibition consists of the works of world-renowned artists including Koray Ariş, Defne Tesal, Laurence Demaison, Erol Akyavaş, Fabrice Samyn, VOID, Necla Rüzgar, Mehtap Baydu, Gizem Karakaş, Yaşam Şaşmazer, Ayça Telgeren, Claude Cahun, Betty Bui, Elina Brotherus and&nbsp;Stéphanie Saadé.You may click on <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.mesher.org/Exhibition/Detail5English" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">this link</a> for further information and visit Meşher by 12 February to view the exhibition.

23 Ekim - Meşher - İstanbul EN

Istanbul means extremism, sometimes getting lost in its charm, rarely listening to yourself while walking on the cobblestones, and for the most part, keeping up with its rhythm.

👀 There are only extremes here

Kültür hakkında yayımlanan makaleler ve yayınlar

Kültür

Yemek ve içecek hakkında yazılar ve yayınlar

Yemek & İçecek

Sanat hakkında yayımlanan makaleler ve yayınlar

Sanat

Last week, we were hanging out with <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/ceylanipekel?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Ceylan</a> (İpek El), the co-owner of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/minimuzikhol/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">MiniMuzikhol</a>, which dominates Istanbul’s underground club culture. We talked over what's going on in Istanbul's music scene. What awaits Mini? And where did Tokyo come from? Are you wondering? We are the same.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">ID, Ceylan İpek El</h2><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">My nickname is:&nbsp;ippiki (Japanese for a small animal, a small cat in my case)</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I have recently discovered in Istanbul that: It is possible to dance under the Bosphorus. As above, so below.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I live in:&nbsp;Istanbul but in my heart, I’m from Japan.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">I’ll dance at:&nbsp;Ruby Room Tokyo while I am listening to Tutan this winter.&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Only a true dancer-Istanbulite would know that:&nbsp;Dance does not end with sunrise, it only signals the start of act two; the overarching plot where all characters come into play.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">According to me, the top five unforgettable performances in Istanbul are:&nbsp;<ol fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Antal at MiniMüzikhol (May 17, 2019)&nbsp;</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Isolée (live) // Tutan at MiniMüzikhol (January 19, 2018)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Carista // Dj Tennis at MiniMüzikhol (February 16, 2019)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Minifesto: Ricardo Villalobos at Volkswagen Arena (September 14, 2019)</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Minifesto: One Night in Berlin // Katerblau at Zorlu PSM (March 2, 2019)</li></ol></li></ul><h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">ID, MiniMüzikhol</h2>My nickname is: MiniMy first performance was:&nbsp;Time and Space Machine aka Richard Norris (2009)My first legendary performance/night was:&nbsp;Ricardo Villalobos (2010)You’ll listen to:&nbsp;Hunee, Antal, Young Marco, Toy Tonics, Lauren Lo Sung, Aroop, Séxstasy this season.&nbsp;Only a true Mini-regular would know:&nbsp;'It'll be all right on the night.' <h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">SHOOT THE BREEZE</h2>What has MiniMüzikhol represented and continues to represent in the Istanbul underground music scene?&nbsp;If a pioneer is a person or a collective who's the first to do something then MiniMüzikhol is the pioneer of nightlife and electronic music in Istanbul, Turkey.The team behind MiniMüzikhol has been the underground stalwart for electronic music and has played a formative role in putting Istanbul's electronic scene on the world map. Not many long-standing locations in Istanbul have created their own identities, created a culture and shaped their audience, making Mini the longest-standing underground club in Istanbul.Why are people still at Mini after 10 years? What does it mean to create an underground club culture and community in Istanbul?&nbsp;It is enough to be creative, responsible and cheerful. When you add consistency and commitment to this, it is impossible not to get a response. The place they feel they belong must have a soul and character beyond the physical space. And this needs to have a real and stable life. When you are able to implement all of these despite the difficult times, you are rewarded by marvellous people.What are the next 10 years of MiniMüzikhol?&nbsp;Before the end of this year, we are preparing to present a unique perspective on the developing mutation of the city with Löpçük.org creator Erman Akçay.&nbsp;I am leaving here for the first time the catalogue of the exhibition, which we will open in the last week of this month, where we will host many local and foreign artists:<ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Erman Akçay - Nils Bertho - Pakito Bolino - Ezgi Irem 'E333' Mutlu - Yves Hanggi - Anne Van Der Linden - Zeynep Mar - Dave de Mille - Sam Rictus - Ben Sanair - Zigendemonic</li></ul>How will her Tokyo sister feed her Cihangir-local Mini?&nbsp;As for our Tokyo adventure... It all started with a common interest where our lives merged with my MiniMüzikhol partner and comrade Dj Tutan. We want to build a bridge from here to our country and make breakthroughs in both trade and tourism. We are working to see a future when we open our second branch in Tokyo, where we organise festivals here.'Do you want to do this in one of the most difficult times in the history of the world economy and politics?' you may ask. According to an Asian saying;'虎穴に入らずんば虎子を得ず''Koketsu ni irazunba koji o ezu''You can't catch a cub unless you go into the tiger's den.'

On Istanbul’s music scene and more with the co-owner of MiniMüzikhol Ceylan İpek El.

Ceylan İpek El & MiniMüzikhol

Istanbul is a city that never sleeps. But it’s unique in the way that it stays awake. Rather than New York’s wired frenzy or Tokyo’s costume change into an alternate identity, Istanbul’s different parts are awake in different ways. An eye open here, a restless leg there, heart beating slowly but the blood rushing still. And the belly is the part that changes most compared to the day.Istanbul’s nights do not do justice to its cuisine. The places that are open are mostly cheap eats in the form of street stalls or carts, moving destinations with unknown kitchens. The problem with these is that taste has lost its priority to convenience, speed and price. The once famous rich in umami, texturally unique 'ıslak'&nbsp;(wet) hamburger is now a sad, soggy sandwich with a piece of cardboard with an aftertaste of heartburn.So this small selection is not to showcase the margarin-based pilav cart you might love, the cheerful uncle-type selling stale popcorn or the shady&nbsp;midye dolma (mussel) guy on the corner who is probably an undercover police officer. It’s about the few places that are open relatively late at night, that pass as a snack point to hit after drinks but before the last rave, if you prioritise taste.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/bordel.ist?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Bordel</a></h2>Bordel is the hero Istanbul needs, but not the one it deserves. The small Asmalımescit joint is the love-child of chef Cem Ekşi’s culinary overtake of the neighbourhood and his twisted mind believing currywurst will be a staple of Istanbul’s nights. Dishing out a German-inspired street food menu with French touches, Bordel goes on until 02:00 a.m. on the weekends and is the perfect spot to recharge your gastronomic battery before finding an afterparty or a taxi cab, both equally challenging feats. The menu often has new items to try with riffs on local foods as well as European classics like deep-fried tripe or cacio e pepe pasta.What to eat:&nbsp;Azgın Tavuk (spicy chicken sandwich), currywurst.Hours:&nbsp;12:00 p.m. - 01:00 a.m., except Mondays<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/kimyonkadikoy?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Kimyon</a></h2>Kimyon is a staple Kadıköy late-night stop. This is perhaps the ultimate Istanbul eatery for night dwellers. Not only is it a 24-hour open casual restaurant with a broad menu focusing on Eastern classics like lahmacun, pide&nbsp;and soups, it is also fast and delicious. Plus, the best dishes have vegan options, and the vegan içli köfte is actually pretty tasty. My go-to drunk belly filler here is a kelle-paça soup (head-and-trotters) coupled with a portion of içli köfte to share. If your Kimyon partner is not down to get some içli köfte to share, is it really worth going home with them?What to eat:&nbsp;Kelle-paça soup, vegan içli köfte.Hours:&nbsp;Open 24 hours<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/afilcihangir?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Afil</a></h2>Afil is a well-branded street food spot with Turkish classics as well as burgers and&nbsp;mezzes. Their portions are decent and come with 2 sauce-sized mezze&nbsp;dippers, which is a refreshing take in the often unsourced world of Turkish street food delicacies. Their kokoreç&nbsp;is the stronger item on the menu together with the vinegar and oil-doused, salady options.I just don’t understand why their go-to carb is sourdough bread at the base of all the dishes. It doesn’t soak the juices of the meat properly, is too dense to let the kokoreç&nbsp;shine texturally and has too much flavour taking away from the sides. Still, for the late night, it’s a decent grab, especially if you are in the neighbourhood.What to eat:&nbsp;Kokoreç, Girit ezmesi.Hours:&nbsp;11:00 a.m. - 03:00 a.m. weekends, 11:00 a.m. - 02:00 a.m. weekdays<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/11/4/1671713639287.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="1.34" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><h4 fr-original-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Baran Lahmacun</h4><h4 fr-original-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Photo: Berkok Yüksel</h4><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/baranlahmacunbeyoglu?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Baran Lahmacun</a></h2>And then there is the unsung Baran, the lahmacun&nbsp;restaurant near Galatasaray Bathhouse. While it only goes until midnight, because of their quick service and delicious lahmacun, they merit an 11:45 p.m. visit (and they let you sit around after the official closing time too). A sister establishment of ‘Yirmibir Kebap’, one of the best ocakbaşı's (grillhouses) in Istanbul, Baran Lahmacun serves 2 kinds of lahmacun: Antep and Diyarbakır style. While the Antep lahmacun&nbsp;has more oomph with spices and garlic, the Diyarbakır has a more purist approach focusing on the tomato and expertly chopped beef. When one orders the lahmacun&nbsp;it comes with enough sides that it’s a proper feast. The homemade ayran&nbsp;served in small copper mugs is also excellent.What to eat:&nbsp;Antep lahmacun and açık ayran.Hours:&nbsp;10:00 a.m. - midnight

Taste-Forward, Sort-of-Late Night Eats.

Late night eats

I thought that the food and beverage world would speed up post-pandemic, but it officially took a huge leap forward let alone speeding up. I'm not just talking about Michelin coming to Istanbul - gastronomy symposiums have increased, chefs' restaurants and culinary variations have multiplied, many local and global products have entered Tukey's market.If you ask me, gastronomy in Turkey reached its peak development speed of the century in the last 3 years. I can say that this has also motivated the sector; in the past, chefs would not come out from their castles, but now they have started to collaborate much more and come together more. In the last few years, I can say that many people working in the food and beverage sector have almost created success out of nothing in such an economy and system.In terms of diversity, we have been catching up with Europe and the USA in recent years. We are developing restaurant culture not only in terms of food and beverage but also in terms of atmosphere, service, music and lighting.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Casual fine-dining</h2>My personal favourite this year is <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/beca.istanbul?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">BECA</a>, where I am also the food and beverage coordinator. I am not saying this because I was in the team that did it, but I think that it closed the multi-cultural cuisine gap in the market with 'comfort'. What I mean by 'comfort' is that; there is no fine-dine target through white tablecloths, but a simple but stylish experience in the comfort-chic area is desired.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Chopstick</h2>Asiatic (Asian essential/Asian) restaurants are also among the rising stars of 2022. There have been sushi restaurants in Turkey for more than 10 years, but fusion-Asian cuisines are just developing. Nowadays, Asiatic fusion places, which we can call neighbourhood restaurants, are multiplying. Some examples are <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/percybyazur?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Percy</a> in Azur, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/inariomakase?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Inari</a> and <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/sakuistanbul?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Saku</a>, which has just opened.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Go green</h2>Finally, vegan and vegetarian businesses are among the fastest-growing restaurant groups this year. From vegan lahmacun (Turkish pita with minced meat) shops to vegan sections in kebab shops, from restaurants that only work in vegan nutrition to chain restaurants that pay attention to food sensitivity such as vegan-gluten-free-lactose-free, we are experiencing a massive growth in this regard. I can say that since people started to pay attention to both nature and their own holistic nature, plant-based nutrition has entered the arena rapidly. Support your locals:&nbsp;2022 was a fascinating, fast-paced year in terms of food and beverage, and 2023 seems like it is going to be even faster. If you want to be a part of the coming storm, be sure to support local restaurants and producers. Advancing Turkey's gastronomy in local and multi-cultural cuisines is in the hands of the sector, but it also depends on our strong stance and stability - you and me, the consumers. It's your turn, my dear Istanbulite!

What did we eat, and where did we go this year? What awaits us in 2023?

How did we fill up in 2022?

<a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/billuryapici?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Billur</a> (Yapıcı), a singer-songwriter-producer who lives in Istanbul and London. We met her at Aposto London <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/i/let-it-snow-let-it-snow-let-it-snow" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">last Tuesday</a>, and discovered and loved her habits about city life. Now we are here with a small chat about Istanbul.&nbsp;We wanted to make you feel nostalgic. We asked some 'fill in the blanks' questions to Billur just like in the old days. This time, for us, the gaps are filled with what we cannot give up in Istanbul.Attention please: How would you fill in the blanks? Think about it, because at any moment you may have to.<h2 fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Chit-Chat</h2><img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/11/6/1671275044242.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="0.56" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable">*&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://goo.gl/maps/cBXakKHSWcCB2cN7A" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Cihangir Çay Bahçesi</a>*&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://goo.gl/maps/CbFbR77PScK75sBJ9" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Van Breakfast House</a>

Meet Billur Yapıcı and play the game in which we keep our favourites in mind.

Fill in the ____

The eater:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/comeduspera/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Comedus</a>. The regular:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/selinosmanogluu/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Selin Osmanoğlu</a>.We are at Comedus with Selin Osmanoğlu, the WSET3 certified writer of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/n/veraison-en" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Veraison</a>. In the afternoon, we all gather with glasses of wine in everyone's hand and black cheese on the plate. When we warm up and start a pleasant conversation, a gentle breeze blows through the door as more people are entering. Now, we are at one of the rare delicatessen/wine bars of Istanbul. Where are you a regular? What are the reasons that this lasts?What does it mean for you to be a regular at a place? When do you say 'OK, I am a regular now'?Being a regular of a place seems to me to be a state of keeping a few emotions alive and holding on to a place both intellectually and de facto. You love an emotion and you try to keep it alive by putting people, sometimes objects, sometimes a smell or colours around it. For me, regularity comes from a basic feeling: trust. I feel safe in the places where I am a regular.When I say 'OK, I'm a regular now', is when it gives me the feeling of 'being at home'. When I go to places where I am a regular, the very familiar feeling of going home keeps coming to me. When I open the door, it is as if the door of my home opens. And when the first plate is placed in front of me, I say 'OK!', 'We're sitting at the table.' I always feel this way whether I am alone or with someone else. All 5 senses are active. The eyes are looking for the same colours, the ears want to hear the same sounds, the smell memory has no difficulty, I want to spend time tasting the same taste, touching the same table. No matter who I share the table with, the conversation flows more easily, I feel more myself. That's why I attribute it to the feeling of trust.How long have you been a regular at Comedus and why here?&nbsp;Actually, I have not been a regular at Comedus for a very long time; after the pandemic, I started coming here a lot. But, a lot. I am a wine lover, and this place is a wine paradise. My first reason for coming here was my love of wine. The cheese and charcuterie are always very good. Then I got to know the people here, the conversation progressed and I became a regular. Why here? You might expect the answer to the question to be the wine, but it's not; it's the people. I mean it when I say regular, I spend a lot of time here, and I miss it if I don't.If you are going to Comedus, it is very likely that you will see me inside, or you will hear me entering the door by saying 'Arzuuuuuuu!' That's exactly what I love. I love exchanging a few words with Arzu, listening to endless stories from Mr. Mustafa, and not being surprised to bump into Selçuk, who was probably here.I love it when Şener comes with red roses during a conversation on the doorstep, and when I ask 'Shall we have dinner at Aheste?' I love the sweet regret of wishing we had opened a bottle as we have our third glass.Is there anything you always order that we can call Selin's speciality?&nbsp;The black cheese! It's my favourite cheese here. Whoever I go with or whoever I see, I say 'Have you tried this cheese?' I don't have a special menu, I usually go with the question 'Am I hungry or not?' I find the answer with olive oil, bread and the black cheese. There is no single wine that I say 'The evening won't go by without it!' but after a certain point, it seems like the door's always open to Akın Gürbüz Blend 1.What are the things you always find here and what are the things you can't find here?The feeling of curiosity that comes as soon as I step through the door never goes away. 'I wonder if the new wine has arrived? What should I drink?' and not being able to decide even after I have looked at the shelf for 10 minutes. There is nothing I can't find here. Maybe some space because it's a small place. But I wouldn't want it to get bigger. It's nice because it's small.&nbsp;

This week, we are at Comedus with Selin Osmanoğlu, the writer of Veraison. 

How to become a regular #5: Comedus

We asked <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/ceylanipekel/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Ceylan</a> (İpek El) from <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/minimuzikhol/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">MiniMüzikhol</a> and Deniz (Kuzuoğlu) from Salon İKSV to choose their all-time favourite places where they can find high-quality music in the city.Editor’s note:&nbsp;If you are interested in this curation, you can read the interview with Deniz that we shared last week <a fr-original-style="" href="https://aposto.com/i/chestnuts-on-a-grill-istanbul-in-december" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">here</a>. Also, stay tuned for more because we’re back next week with a remindful Mini interview.<h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Spick-and-span</h2><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/vamonos.ist/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Vamonos</a>&nbsp;Record Shop by Ceylan İpek El</li></ul>Where? Bebek, Neşe Sk No:4, 34342 BeşiktaşWhy? It’s my favourite neighbourhood record shop. But it’s not just a record shop. It’s a music-driven space with a focus on movement. Also, the young crowd would much rather consume what is produced rather than produce, organise and contribute. I admire and support those who put hard work into expressing themselves.&nbsp;Opening hours?&nbsp;Open from Tuesday to Sunday from 02:00 p.m. to 08:00 p.mWhat does it represent in the Istanbul music scene? The owner, <a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/erengundemir/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Eren</a> (Gündemir), is an admirable young man who is going against old tracks and tries hard to break the old auditory monotony. He carefully selects, hosts, and organises the music and musicians he works with - thus creating an exemplary underground culture.<img src="https://images.aposto.com/2022/11/5/1670577580306.jpeg" style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px; border-style: none; position: relative; cursor: pointer; padding: 0px 1px; box-sizing: border-box;" width="550" ratio="0.67" fr-original-style="display: block; vertical-align: top; margin: 5px auto; text-align: center; width: 100%; max-width: 550px;" fr-original-class="fr-draggable"><h4 fr-original-style="text-align: center;" style="text-align: center; margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Babylon</h4><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">Oldies but goldies</h2><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/babylonbomonti/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" fr-original-style="" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;"></a><a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.instagram.com/babylonbomonti/" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Babylon&nbsp;İstanbul</a>&nbsp;by Deniz Kuzuoğlu</li></ul>Where?&nbsp;Merkez, Silahşör Caddesi &amp; Birahane Sokak Tarihi Bomonti Bira Fabrikası No:1, 34384 ŞişliWhy?&nbsp;The audience entering through that red door at the time of Asmalımescit changed the lives of everyone working there. Since I started my career there, it always has a special place in my heart. Babylon said goodbye to Asmalı in 2014, but without making its fans wait too long, it made us all happy by moving to Bomontiada in 2015.&nbsp;Opening hours?&nbsp;09:00 a.m.- 05:00 p.m.What does it represent in the Istanbul music scene? The venue in Asmalımescit was one of the most special spaces of the city, along with Salon İKSV, which defined the Istanbul music scene in the 2000s, from changing the face of a neighbourhood to the venue culture it established, from the names it hosted to the industry employees it trained.

2 unique places for those who ask: Where should I quell the rush of the week? Location: Bebek & Bomontiada. Focus: Panacea music.

The Legends #1: Babylon & Vamonos

Meet <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/civan_er?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Civan Er</a>, chef of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/yeni.lokanta?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Yeni Lokanta</a> and <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/yenisoho?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Yeni Soho</a> living part-time in London and Istanbul. We get together to talk about the culinary scene in Istanbul and find out his favourite secret places and joys in the city.Civan explains Istanbul’s culinary scene as:<blockquote fr-original-style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(212, 199, 116); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px;" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(212, 199, 116); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; border-left-style: solid; box-sizing: border-box;">“Istanbul is known for its diverse food cultures. Even more today, I think. You have all these immigrants from the East who bring their own food culture. In Istanbul, it’s rather tourists, not the locals who make the base clientele of restaurants due to the sad economic situation. In the West, however, the inhabitants of the city constitute the core element of the restaurant industry.&nbsp;The ongoing deterioration of moral values (in trade). It was the non-Muslims who started today's restaurant culture in Istanbul (as owners and customers). They don’t exist anymore and the next bourgeois class created by the state struggled. And they have been replaced with an even newer one recently, as the vicious circle goes on. However, Michelin will make Istanbul even more attractive to tourists.Last but not least, Kanaat Lokantası, Kadıköy Baylan, and Savoy Pastanesi in Cihangir are the ‘oldies but goldies’ of Istanbul.”</blockquote>If you are wondering what Civan's Istanbul is like, you are at the right place.&nbsp;IN ISTANBUL: My favourite street food in Istanbul&nbsp;is boiled corn in the summer and chestnuts in the winter from the same guy in Beyoğlu (he is mısırcı or kestaneci according to the season).When I want to eat mantı (Turkish ravioli) I go to my mum’s or Yeni Lokanta.If I have a special guest, I take them to Zübeyir Ocakbaşı.If I’m out to eat after 01.00 a.m., my 'go-to' is Vakkas'ın Yeri for lamb sweetbreads.For fresh baked goods, I always stop by&nbsp;Üstün Palmie.I always make a reservation at Asmalıcavit when I miss the meyhane.&nbsp;I can’t think of the Istanbul culinary scene without simit (Turkish bagel) on the ferry.A hidden local restaurant that still nobody knows&nbsp;is Gaziantepli Mustafalar in Bakırköy.It’s so cliche but still, I love Baylan’s Kup Griye&nbsp;(ice cream).A weekday hangout&nbsp;is with Ece Aksoy who created the bar culture in Turkey with the name of her bar: Ece.I'm a regular at Journey, Cihangir.Editor’s note:&nbsp;Let's take the ferry and order a Kup Griye (ice cream).&nbsp;Just like the good old days.&nbsp;<a data-remove-tab-index="true" data-sk="tooltip_parent" data-stringify-link="https://goo.gl/maps/vK9QeNARpoBxbjQQA" fr-original-style="" href="https://goo.gl/maps/vK9QeNARpoBxbjQQA" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" tabindex="-1" target="_blank">Here</a>&nbsp;is the Google Maps link. Send us photos from your experience and we will share them as the catch of the week!&nbsp;<ul fr-original-style="list-style-type: circle; padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="list-style-type: circle; padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">To know more about Civan, subscribe to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://link.apos.to/c/vlaNCZ44hL15?c=whjMYjF1MiSzElTIfxoIb&sub=62d665c1540b980008d88272&s=web" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Aposto London</a> and wait until Tuesday for the interview.</li></ul>

A guide for Istanbulite foodies.

Oldies but goldies of the Istanbul culinary scene

This week's Istanbulite is <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/deniz.kuzuoglu?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Deniz Kuzuoğlu</a>, the director of <a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/deniz.kuzuoglu?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Salon İKSV</a>, a place frequented by true urbanites and a source of energy for weekends and weekdays. What awaits music lovers in the city? What can we listen to, and when? As we would never cross an Istanbulite, we are ready!<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">ID, Deniz</h2>My nickname is:&nbsp;Kuzu (sheep)Recently,&nbsp;I have discovered in Istanbul: Aheste’s Negroni &amp; Küçük Plak Dükkânı (vinyl shop)I live in: Valideçeşme but I’m from Ankara in my heart.I always listen to:&nbsp;Jeff Buckley - Grace (the album) while walking from home to Nişantaşı in the winter.&nbsp;According to me, the top three unforgettable concerts in Istanbul are:o &nbsp; Nine Inch Nails – Rock’n Coke 2009o &nbsp; Rufus Wainwright – Istanbul Jazz Festival 2008 - Hagia Irene Museumo &nbsp; King Gizzard &amp; The Lizzard Wizard – Salon İKSV – 13-14-15 March 2018Only a true music lover-Istanbulite would know:&nbsp;Salon İKSV<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">ID, Salon</h2>My nickname is:&nbsp;İKSVMy first concert was:&nbsp;The Bad PlusMy first legendary concert was:&nbsp;Marcus MillerYou’ll listen to:&nbsp;amazing artists this season. (Not gonna name them before our annual announcement!)Only a true Salon-regular would know: Hoşcan Çıkmazı Street &amp; Mr. Sakip<hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><h2 dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="margin: 0px; color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.85); font-weight: 500; padding: 0px; box-sizing: border-box;">SHOOT THE BREEZE</h2>What does Salon represent in the Istanbul music scene?&nbsp;Salon represents good music, discovery, sincerity and happy memories. We can say that it is the meeting point for music lovers looking for a peaceful and private space in the heart of the city.You are also celebrating your 10th anniversary at Salon. What are the things that have never changed in the history of Salon for more than 10 years?The excitement and party of the opening every autumn, Sarkis' chandelier, Mr. Sakip at the door, our excitement and passion for music, and the enthusiasm that each festival of İKSV brings to the building in different months and seasons are the things that never change. Of course, there are things that have changed in its 13-year history, but we can say that there is not much difference physically and spiritually. Salon has always had a self-renewing programme, but neither the conversations in the back alley nor the physical proximity to the artists who you can actually touch by reaching out, have changed. Our audience has been with us on this journey, expanding and evolving every year and getting more acquainted with the venue.In the last 10 years, there has been a century of events that will affect the music industry in Istanbul. How did all this strengthen us? What have we learnt during these times? What has changed permanently in the Istanbul music scene?&nbsp;Turkey's music market has always been faster and more agile in crisis management than other places, but everything we have experienced, especially in the last 10 years, has provided us with new teachings in event management. Our quick decision-making and implementation reflexes have improved, and the details and priorities we consider when planning an event have increased.The music scene, especially live music venues are unfortunately the first areas to be affected by every socio-economic crisis. There have been many losses of space and labour force. One of the biggest gains in this process was the strengthened communication between the sector players. Everyone learnt that it is more beneficial in the big picture to make the cake bigger instead of taking the biggest slice.Can you tell us about the memories of the past 10 years in Istanbul that went down in the history of legendary Istanbul music? What were the milestones? What did we build from scratch?There were two concerts that took place at the end of 2013, one of the most challenging summers in Istanbul, which gave us and the audience hope: Roger Waters The Wall Live and Iron Maiden, the last event at İnönü Stadium. We saw there that people would come together no matter what.The same feeling was experienced at İKSV festivals, which continued their events uninterruptedly during the pandemic period, sometimes online, sometimes at reduced capacity. While we were wondering what kind of demand there would be for events after the opening, we got to spend the summer of 2022 together.In the last 10 years, we have come out of every problem that made us ask 'Will there be any more events?' By rebuilding events, we have gained new venues, and new festivals have sown their first seeds. We have seen how solid the foundations of a city like Istanbul are in terms of culture and arts. Even if it is painful, even if we cannot progress as fast as we want, hopes and dreams still keep going.A little bit about the future: What kind of a transformation do you foresee and imagine for the Istanbul music scene in the next 10 years?Especially contemporary music (we can include pop, electronic, rock, indie, whatever you call it) is not seen as a cultural and artistic activity in our country. It is seen more as a field of entertainment. But when you look at festivals abroad, you can clearly see the contribution of all of them to the city where they are held. We can include Primavera, and Berlin club culture in this. It is one of the newest and most valuable areas of cultural tourism.We had seen the attraction of Istanbul regarding this field in the early 2000s. When the general and local administrations realise the impact of these events on the promotion of the country, when they see the potential for tourism and income, and when they provide the necessary arrangements and support for these events to be held, we can reach the level of the cities, festivals and events that we aspire to in a short period of 10 years.What do you see in the next 10 years of Salon? Are there any new corners that Salon will adopt after this? This year it turned into a festival, tomorrow,&nbsp;who knows?Gezgin&nbsp;was actually a project we set out from Salon to embrace various corners of the city. It was always part of the plan to connect its continuation to a festival. Gezgin Salon will continue its single events and festival with the support of +1, but now, the question 'Why shouldn't we go outside of Istanbul?' has started to pop up in our minds.

On Istanbul's music scene and more with Salon İKSV director Deniz Kuzuoğlu.

Deniz Kuzuoğlu & Salon İKSV

The eater:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://www.hacibekir.com/Kurumsal/4633/about-us" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir</a>. The regular:&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/gulinozalpp?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Gülin Özalp</a>.Last Wednesday, we visited Ali Muhidden Hacı Bekir, Rüstempaşa with Gülin, the manager of Pandeli, and had lokum&nbsp;with cream. While we were tasting it, we went over some questions on our minds. What does it take to become a regular? We learnt about Gülin's favourite lokum&nbsp;menu so now we know what to order next time.&nbsp;If you want to be a lokum hunter stay tuned and wait for our tips. #1 Don’t take away lokum&nbsp;with cream, it will melt within half an hour.&nbsp;For you, what does it mean to be a regular somewhere? When do you say, 'OK, I'm a regular here'? And how does that make you feel?Being a regular at a place means preferring to buy the product you want to buy there when you can find it elsewhere, the staff knowing you and knowing what you want, and the warm conversations you have with them. It means coming together through common values and tastes.What are the common features of the places you frequent in different cities? The places where I am a regular in different cities are the places where I am satisfied with the service I receive and where I am happy. Generally, I am a regular of places that have a lived experience, where I like the staff, where the product quality does not deteriorate, and where I can find the same flavours that I like and am used to when I go back.How long have you been a regular at Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir and why here? I have been coming to Ali Muhiddin Hacıbekir since I was little. It is a place where I can find the flavours I like in the way I am used to.Before, I used to shop at their shops in Beyoğlu and Kadıköy. After Pandeli, I spent a lot of time in Eminönü, so I started coming to the shops here. I think the shop itself is a reason to come here. Not to mention the interest and sincerity of the employees.&nbsp;Apart from my personal purchases, I also shop for Pandeli. Especially for Pandeli, I do not return without buying the double-roasted Turkish delight and coriander candy.Which kind of Turkish delight is indispensable to you? Why is it special for you? Which Turkish delight do you think first-timers should definitely order? And is there any other product you recommend other than Turkish delight?The ones I can never give up and love very much are Turkish delight with clotted cream and orange and cinnamon traditional candies. My children love the double-roasted Turkish delight and the fruit jellies, so I buy them frequently. I also love the rose and orange jams, and the dark chocolate-covered orange fudge is my husband's favourite. In other words, Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir has at least one product for every member of the family.

This week, we are at Rüstempaşa with Gülin Özalp, the manager of Pandeli.

How to become a regular #4: Ali Muhiddin Hacı Bekir

Meet&nbsp;<a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/eniskaravil?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Enis Karavil</a>. He is the creative director of&nbsp;Sanayi313&nbsp;living part-time in London and Istanbul. We get together to talk about the art scene at Sanayi and find out his 5 essential places in the neighbourhood. You can't imagine what Sanayi is like from the outside. Art galleries, restaurants and much more await you. There is nothing better than learning about the neighbourhood from the locals. Considering this, we followed Enis' lead and went on a discovery tour. Now, we are here with what we have accumulated, having taken notes and experienced.Enis explains today’s guide and talks about the history of Sanayi for him as:<blockquote fr-original-style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(212, 199, 116); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px;" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); border-color: rgb(212, 199, 116); border-width: 4px; font-style: italic; padding-left: 10px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; border-left-style: solid; box-sizing: border-box;">'Stuck in the heart of the city, 'Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi' has always attracted my attention due to its architecture. As Sanayi313, we were the first to set foot in Sanayi, and after several years, as a design studio, it feels great to have witnessed the transformation of the area. Apart from the team members of our design &amp; architecture studio located on the mezzanine floor of Sanayi313, I’d say Polka and Buster (office pets) are the cutest usual suspects in Sanayi313. We have many frequent visitors who work at nearby offices. Also a considerable amount of people visiting from abroad stop by Sanayi313 to dine or shop.'</blockquote>If you’re ready for a long walk with Enis, we are starting from scratch.&nbsp;5 stops for art, beer, coffee, and ribs. Location: Sanayi Duration: TBD<a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/sanayi313?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Sanayi313</a><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where?&nbsp;Maslak, Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi 2. Kısım, 10. Street No: 313, 34398</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why should I go? To have really good food and also because a design studio operating a canteen and a curated store at an off-the-beaten-track location is, I think, a unique experience on its own.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duly noted:&nbsp;Selection of products on offer at The Store at Sanayi313.</li></ul><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/pgartgallery?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">PG Art Gallery</a><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where?&nbsp;Maslak, Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi 6. Street No: 171, 34398 Sarıyer/Istanbul</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why should I go?&nbsp;To visit an exhibition or see the artworks at PG Pop Up.</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duly noted: Artworks.&nbsp;</li></ul><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/kaburgacicabbaristanbul?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Kaburgacı Cabbar</a><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where?&nbsp;Maslak, Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi 33. St, 34398 Şişli/Istanbul</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why should I go? To eat the most flavorsome ribs</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duly noted: The taste of their dishes is one not to be missed.&nbsp;</li></ul><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/sanayi1a?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Sanayi - 1A</a><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where?&nbsp;Maslak, Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi, 1. St. No:1, 34485 Sarıyer/Istanbul</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why should I go? To have a couple of beers</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duly noted: The easy-going atmosphere.&nbsp;</li></ul><hr fr-original-style="" style="height: 0px; overflow: visible; border-bottom: none; clear: both; user-select: none; break-after: page; box-sizing: border-box;"><a fr-original-style="" href="https://instagram.com/thewhirl?igshid=YTY2NzY3YTc=" rel="noopener noreferrer" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">The Whirl Roastery</a><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Where? Maslak, Atatürk Oto Sanayi Sitesi 2. Kısım 6. St No:144, 34398 Sarıyer/Istanbul</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Why should I go? To have a cup of coffee</li><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">Duly noted:&nbsp;Giant roasting machines and the total look and feel of the space are made up of vintage furniture.</li></ul><ul fr-original-style="padding-inline-start: 20px; list-style-type: square;" style="padding-inline-start: 20px; list-style-type: square; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1em; list-style-position: inside; box-sizing: border-box;"><li dir="ltr" fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: border-box;">To know more about Enis, subscribe to <a fr-original-style="" href="https://link.apos.to/c/p-h-OCNCO0b4?c=jmlh8EZeVSEhuvb-kw1zn&sub=62d665c1540b980008d88272&s=web" style="color: rgb(9, 9, 9); text-decoration: none; background-color: transparent; outline: none; cursor: pointer; transition: color 0.3s ease 0s; touch-action: manipulation; user-select: auto; box-sizing: border-box;" target="_blank">Aposto London</a> and wait until Tuesday for the interview.</li></ul>Editor's note: Date-ist and Ugur Photography are the best locations for printing or creating a photobook. Tried and tested so many times.&nbsp;Advice for Istanbulites:&nbsp;Date-Ist is a little more expensive but definitely worth it for the quality.