This City Deserves a Michelin Star!
Everytime I see the amazing landscape of İstanbul, I admire the city more. Now, a couple that have worked in the best restaurants in France and received the education of their business, Mister Kaan and Ms.Aylin have chosen this amazing landscape for their place. As soon as you step in the terrace, it’s impossible not to be enchanted by this beautiful view. I find the decoration simple and chic. They created a concept that does not tire the eyes and is only devoted to pleasure. Most of all, I really like the glass section in their kitchen. You can say it’s a cliché, yet I still have respect for this kind of self-confidence.
Little surprises from the personnel
The first thing that attracted my attention at Nicole is that their personnel are very knowledgeable and well educated. Not only about food, but they also know a lot about contemporary topics and wine. They try to make this experience perfect without giving you any nuisance. Unfortunately, that’s one thing that Turkish restaurants lack . Although they make beautiful dishes, the person presenting you the dish might mess it up.
In contrast to his colleagues, Chef Kaan creates his menu based on its uniqueness rather than its popularity. It’s good to hear that they change their menu every season. He chose the wines accompanying the tasting menu especially from Turkish wines. So, it gives a chance to introduce Turkish wines to the international customers of the place. I wish that also other places served and supported Turkish wine industry rather than serving expensive foreign wines for ridiculous prices….
Let the show begin!
Waiting upon the tasting menu, I taste butter and olive oil. Butter is homemade and has hints of Seville orange. You feel like you’re eating lemon cheesecake. Their olive oil comes from Adana. This is a bit surprising for me, as this kind of cold extra virgin olive oil is renowned in Aegean region more.
Almond soup is served with little garlic and with iced mints special to summer days. Lately, I’ve tasted too much garlic in cold soups and I can’t make sense of it in hot summer days. However, this is different. Garlic gives only a mere taste this time. The smell of it is quite light, and it’s not a smell that would ruin your day.
They serve this wine with the crab dish. They created a great duo with the sevilla orange and peach puree in crab dish and the fruity texture of this wine.It’s a proof that they take this seriously. Crabs with the wine have quite an amazing effect. It’s an impressive and fresh taste. With the help of garlic in the background, it evokes your taste buds. On the other hand, salt breaks the dominance of peach.
They serve our umbra fish. This is a fish that’s not very familiar with us, yet the taste is amazing. The different tastes of seaweed, pureed pumpkin seeds and courgette accompanying the dish contribute to the whole experience of this fish. It’s a bit hard and not so soft, yet it’s cooked juicy and with a balance of salt.
The meat dish made by picking the leg of lamb to shreds, and made into balls is a masterpiece.
I can say one thing for the desserts of Ms.Aylin: Sugary art masterpieces! Chef Kaan doesn’t like the idea of using non-seasonal fruits. Therefore, Chef Aylin couldn’t come up with anything but lemon. Strawberries on the almond cake, and the lemon ice cream on top are very tasty. Especially, I’m in love with the almond cake.
Our last dessert is Dulce Caramel. It’s a masterpiece inspired by famous Valrona chocolate and the notes of Dulce de Leche. Before ending this, I’d like to give a tip. Don’t forget to taste mignardise chocolates of Ms.Aylin before leaving the place. Especially, the truffle chocolates are amazing! What else could you expect from a graduate of Cordon Bleu Patisserie Chocolate, right?
Evaluation: 8.5/10
Boğazkesen Cad. TomtomKaptanSok.
No: 18 Beyoğlu / İstanbul
+90 212 292 44 67
