Istanbul'lu - near Teele Square

[obie119.livejournal.com]

So, the long-awaited Turkish restaurant in the ever-changing location on Holland Street (has been an ice cream place, Holland Street Cafe, among other things) is OPEN and it looks great. Very cheerful with Turkish rugs and other decorations.
In good news also, they are the reincarnation of the great Turkish restaurant that used to be on Beacon Hill (in a basement space on Bowdoin Street) - I never ended up going there, but I worked in the neighborhood and it was well-loved. The menu now is a little smaller, but my co-worker bought a selection of their Turkish "tapas" today and they were all excellent! I stopped in today and they were very friendly and excited to be in Somerville.

So, do stop by and if you do, tell them Karin and Laura from across the street sent you :)

PS: They also have agreed to represent Turkey at my fun charity event Taste of the World, which I hope you'll attend! http://tasteoftheworld.eventbrite.com for more info, or become a fan at www.facebook.com/taste.of.the.world

Comments

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Ooh! Exciting! It said in a news update I found online that they're currently just open for breakfast and lunch, but intend to start serving dinner soon. Is that correct?

[obie119.livejournal.com]

Oops, I didn't think to ask, because I work across the street and so am not around for dinner - but they did mention they are catering to meetings and that sort of thing. Their menu doesn't have a number or website yet, so I guess I'm the word-of-mouth for now!

Ooh, I am looking at the breakfast menu now - it has a lot of amazing-looking options that you just don't see...omelets with Turkish ingredients, boreks...and pancakes of course :)

Boerek?

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Oh man, my family makes boerek every Christmas, and it is so awesome. Can't wait to check this place out!!!

[obie119.livejournal.com]

It's so funny - I had never had borek before and suddenly I've had it twice this month - at Sabur and at Sofra. It is soooo good (and a good "gateway drug" to middle eastern food IMHO)

Re: Boerek?

[ifotismeni]

i have to admit i have never had boerek but it sounds like eggah -- are they similar?

[ron_newman]

not Constantinopl'lu .

TMBG aside

[ifotismeni]

constantinopolis = city of constantine/"the city" --> shortened to constantinople in english

"to the city" = "eis tin polis" -> is • tan • bul (over time)


*the more you know rainbow*

Re: TMBG aside

[ron_newman]

Cool. What does the 'lu part mean? (in the restaurant name)

Re: TMBG aside

[ifotismeni]

no idea...

Re: Boerek?

[badseed1980.livejournal.com]

Not the way I grew up with it. Generally speaking, it is some kind of savory pastry with some kind of filling. My family recipe is from the branch of the family that was Armenian and lived in Turkey, and it's a flaky filo dough wrapped around a cheesy filling. I've seen other Armenian places that do a more substantial dough and use meat fillings, too. I suspect that might be more the kind they'd do in the Caucasus.

[hrafn.livejournal.com]

OMG! I went to the location on Bowdoin a few times (not recently, obvs), and I'm sad to hear they closed there, but REALLY HAPPY they are open so much closer to home!!

Re: TMBG aside

[icecreamempress.livejournal.com]

It means "of" or "from" or "with" in general, and in this case it means "Istanbulian" (either "a person from Istanbul" or "generally representative of Istanbul", like opening a restaurant in Istanbul and calling it "Somervillian").

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

hah! Awesome!

[closetalker11.livejournal.com]

This is cool! I am not at all familiar with Turkish food, but love All Things Mediterranean, so I can't wait to try it out. Thanks for posting!

Re: TMBG aside

[ron_newman]

Thanks!

[doogly.livejournal.com]

Went tonight for dinner, and it was extremely fabulous.

[nomacmac.livejournal.com]

Is there a menu online anywhere? Do they have manti?

[mihmo.livejournal.com]

Does anybody know how vegetarian-friendly their menu is?

[doogly.livejournal.com]

The vast majority of dishes are vegetable, though you may have to inquire about whether they use any occasional animal ingredients in them (like stocks and so on). They didn't make special mention of the veg* status of any dishes.

[http://users.livejournal.com/_meej_/]

If this is the one I recall from Beacon Hill (which I was only at a few times, and can't recall the name) I remember the previous incarnation being veg-friendly. Who knows what they've changed, though, if they are indeed the same. I remember it being good, though!

[obie119.livejournal.com]

From the menu, there are a gazillion things that don't include meat - the usual caveats of checking for broth/stock etc apply, but a quick look shows a vast majority of meat-free eats.
I am totally going and having a borek tomorrow even though I always bring my lunch to work!

[mihmo.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the responses on the veggieness - it is very veggie-friendly! :) We had a wonderful time there; the food is excellent.