Tuesday, April 12, 2011

saint sophia and the crème caramel



While in the Sultanahmet area, it is always a great temptation to run away from the people you are with and sketch the Ayasofya— which is naturally, what I did. The sun was warming the small stone wall opposite the former basilica, upon which I planted myself for a quick scribble and a listen to Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds on my beat up little iPod. The cerulean sky was nearly cloudless and mesmerising in its depth, and I found myself staring at the blue, kicking my feet like a happy child, unwilling to add much detail to my drawing.



Lunchtime slowly rolled around and took us to the oddly named Pudding Shop, formerly known as Lale Restaurant, which was apparently a favourite haunt of hippie backpackers in the sixties. Traditional Turkish cuisine served cafeteria-style and a delightful selection of puddings are what an empty belly can look forward to at Pudding Shop. I selected a plump, rice and meat stuffed tomato called a dolma, topped with a dollop of puréed potatoes, and a plate of rice with semizotu, or purslane. It was insisted that I try the crème caramel for dessert, which was reportedly divine— and didn't disappoint.


Pudding Shop
Divanyolu No.6 Sultanahmet / ISTANBUL
212 522 29 70

8 comments:

hfm said...

griGood work!

Mice Aliling said...

beautiful work! i miss Turkey :) Hagia SOfia is breathtaking inside and out :)

szaza said...

Thank you so much, hfm and mice_aliling!

Turkey is a very special place.

Unknown said...

nice and simple.

Julia Kelly said...

wonderful work- and looks like a wonderful day spent in the sun!

szaza said...

Thank you, Pia and Julia!

Unknown said...

You have captured it so well, love the sketch.

szaza said...

Thank you, Sue!