ORTAKOY VE BESINCI KAT

Back in Sydney I made a promise to meet my friend Fouad (Fred from Myer) on the 3rd of June at 6pm outside of Blue Mosque. Fouad and I spent 3 days together in Istanbul back in 2004. We had a ball together back then. When we found out we would both be in Istanbul at the same time, we decided we had to meet up again.

So on Sunday I returned from Cyprus to dump my stuff at Sude Konak before racing up to the Blue Mosque. I was running 10 minutes late and I was stressing thinking Fouad would leave. The problem was he didn’t have a phone for me to contact him on.

So I arrive at the Blue Mosque to see Fouad standing outside waiting for me. He had travelled from Syria to Turkey. We walk back to his hotel to pick up his sisters and brother in law.

Fouad has been in Istanbul 7 times. That’s 3 times more than me! The guy is obsessed with Turkey. Fouad always stays at the Apricot hotel in Istanbul. In 2004 I agreed to stay with him at the Apricot hotel. It was prepaid however when we rocked up they stated that they thought we weren’t coming so they gave our room away. It was 9pm at night that we got shifted to another hotel.

Fred @ Apricot Hotel Istanbul

Anyway we rocked up to the Apricot hotel and sat in reception waiting for the girls. The owner Hakan who we refer to as a young George Michael came to chat to us. I remember the guy from 3 years ago. His a really nice guy but has this shifted look about him.

The girls are finally ready and we walk back to Sultan Ahmet to catch a cab but not before getting a pic outside of Aga Sofia:

We catch a cab to Ortakoy for drinks. We had booked dinner at Besinci Kat (Fifth floor) at taksim for 10pm. Fouad insisted we go to Ortakoy for sunset photos and a drink.

We arrive at Ortakoy for a brief photo session before we decide to sit down for drinks.

Fred & NV - Ortakoy Istanbul



ORTAKOY IN PICTURES:

Were about to walk into a café when we spot the café next door when the doorman insists we eat there. Were trapped between two cafes where the door mans argue over us. We finally decided to sit at First class for drinks.

It was meant to be drinks but we decided to order some snacks as well.

After our snacks and drinks we decided to walk around the markets abit. I see a really nice photo opportunity of the bridge...

We headed off to Besinci Kat at Taksim. Besinci Kat is located in one of the dodgiest streets of Taksim. I swear you wouldn’t want to walk here on your own at nights. The building is run down and you would never guess there is a restaurant in there. In fact I wouldn’t even stop to look at this building if it was in Sydney. We walk into the apartment block to notice a gay bar on the left. A door man opens the lift for us as we enter.

The lift opens up to the restaurant. The restaurant is split into two parts. The downstairs of it is designed for a wintery look with comfortable couches and fireplace. The terrace were we are headed is on the rooftop with amazing Istanbul views.

Inside of Besinci Kat

Now Besinci Kat is abit like a VIP restaurant. You basically pay more because of the view. To us it wasn’t that expensive but to locals it would be a whole weeks wages. Main meals are approx around $30 each which is what we would pay at most restaurants in Sydney these days.

We notice the door bitch. She has a massive afro hair style. She sits at the door with a cigarette in her hand watching people. She barely moves or does anything. We question what the fuck she does the whole night sitting there.

Apparently the owner of this restaurant is some retired actress and Fouad is obsessed with the fact that the famous Turkish Actress Turkan Soray once dined here. So obsessed that I’m forced to ask the waiter if this is true. When I ask the waiter he looks at me as if am I for real. He states that she has dined here and then fouad gets me to ask if she sat downstairs or in the terrace. I think by this point the waiter thinks were a total lunatic. He confirms she sat downstairs.

We end up having a three course meal with wine. I’m so bloated that I cant move. The wine was quiet expensive. We paid $80 for a bottle and we only got like half a glass each. In saying that the night was a fantastic experience.


Besinci Kat

http://www.5kat.com/

Soğancı Sokak No: 7 Kat 5 Cihangir İstanbul