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=&utm_source=aposto" 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=&utm_source=aposto" 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=&utm_source=aposto" 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=&utm_source=aposto" 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!

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/?utm_source=aposto" 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/?utm_source=aposto" 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

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

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. 