Özel Sosyal Etkinlikler Kulübü
- This event has passed.
Friday Dinner Meeting Hatay Restaurant 1967 (Museum Restaurant) @Bostanci
25 April @ 19:30 - 23:00
This post is also available in:
Türkçe (Turkish)
ezzet
“Look at these, these are your lips
They can be talked about, they can be kissed
I kissed you softly the first time
We were on a ferry and the ferry was going along the shore.
Istanbul was leaving three fathoms away
I leaned over and kissed you softly
Right next to us the fish were leaving.”…
No one should be sorry, no one should be offended, no one should expect a complete food critique from me. If there is a tavern in Istanbul and Cemal Süreya’s verses are echoing on the walls of that tavern, then all I can do is to go and drink two doubles. Everything beyond that is meaningless and futile.
Hatay Restaurant describes itself as “the only living artist” tavern. And rightly so, as you walk in, look at the walls, and eavesdrop on the conversations of its customers and patrons. As you calmly devour the beautiful puppies from the huge meze platter with the tip of your fork, you experience one of those rare moments when you are happy to exist.
Hatay Restaurant, the unbreakable fortress that ensured that the Anatolian side was not orphaned in the tavern culture, was opened in 1967 in Kadıköy İskele Square and moved to its new address Bostancı in 1986, very close to the train station. Memories of the great poet Cemal Süreya, who walked to the Kadıköy location from his home, still linger among the tables.
No need to ramble, you will be presented with a big tray of appetizers. In my opinion, take what you choose from here and set your table without much ado. I’m in favor of the eggplant salad, haydari, lakerda, chili pate, green olives and stewed rice. You can either follow me or go your own way. But don’t forget that a cold appetizer with eggplant, fish and yogurt is always a part of this business. Maybe you’ll order purslane with yogurt, maybe you’ll order shakshuka, maybe you’ll order something else, but don’t miss the ones I mentioned. Also order the feta cheese and melon and start sipping your raki right away.
