Sunday, May 9, 2010

galata gastronomie


On the way to Galata Tower, stretches a colourful row of fresh juice vendors. Their tables of expertly peeled pomegranates are as sumptuous looking as the juices are tasty. A few lira will get you a large cup of yumminess, perfectly refreshing on a warm day.


I always dismissed the restaurants at the foot of the tower as being tourist traps, suitable only for sketching people in, but when Yelda told me that Kiva Han is a gastronomical joy not to be missed, I happily followed her inside to inspect what was being offered.


Savoury rice-stuffed artichokes, meat and green plum dolmas, sweet irmik— which is a crumbly semolina cake topped with a pine nut. My goodness, that artichoke was petaled perfection— a little sweet, a little olivey, a buttery heart. One of my greatest pleasures in life is eating an artichoke. What better way to follow the visual treat that is the Botero exhibit?


Galata's cats bank on the kindness of strangers. Just look at that brightly coloured fur— they don't eat from trash cans!

3 comments:

Beth said...

I'm a recent new reader of your blog and lover of your sketches, but that pomegranate photo has made my evening!

Javier de Blas said...

For me, one of those delicacies covered with leaves, please!

szaza said...

Thank you so much, Beth!

Javier, you would have loved them!