Eating

[Banjoman]

Back again for another 2 weeks, so more eating experiences to follow on from June. Wanted something simple last night so Ali Babas it was. Busy as usual around 8.45 but still three or 4 tables free, so no problem getting a seat.
Fresh hot bread rolls straight from the oven, then liver and onions - always a favorite of mine here - chopped in small pieces instead of the "slab" that some of the others do, really tender and juicy,with red cabbage, green salad and a slightly spicy yoghurt. Tasted superb and just what was needed after a long days travelling with just sarnies to snack on - I can't stand airline food
The boss and a friend of ours both had steak - cooked exactly as requested, and both platefuls rapidly demolished - even got the "small" steak they asked for instead of the standard size. Despite being busy you never have to wait long fo the food to arrive - they are just well organised
No starters, and with 3 beers the total came to 67TL. Did not fancy a coffee, but we were still given a glass of Listerine ( sorry, mint liqueuer) Will be back here before we go home as I want to have the lamb casserole again, bu knowing the size might well share the one between two of us
No idea yet where to go tonight, probably decide first what we want to eat, and then go to wherever does our preferred version - or we will end up where the boss decides.
Whichever it is you will all find out tomorrow

[m1cksut]

is there nowt better to do there than post on here?
but, always handy to find out directly from people there now where to eat etc, and prices.
67 lira for 3 people sounds pretty good, will try that one out.

[Andy]

nice report Banjoman

look forward to your daily blogs

i have just ordered more web space for m1cksut's,efes fuelled daily reports and have translator standing by :Happy: :Happy: :Happy:

[m1cksut]

nice report Banjoman

look forward to your daily blogs

i have just ordered more web space for m1cksut's,efes fuelled daily reports and have translator standing by :Happy: :Happy: :Happy:

not a chance mate, i wont even see a computer for two weeks, let alone spend time on one, its a holiday for me, no telly, no computer, no work, may even stop drinking........................:nooo:




...........................bitter.:Happy:

[Banjoman]

so many things to do M1cksut - swimming,snorkelling, jeep safari, horse riding, kayakking, white water rafting to name but a few, but the problem with these it that you can't have an EFES whilst doing them (at least not without spilling a lot of it) so the blogs get done in the garden with a large cold one by my side,surrounded by the gentle snoring of some of the other residents (but Ipod and headphones solve that one)
Les decided on chicken casserole last so that meant a trip to Cagris - their version has a nice spice kick that she likes, and they listen when she says just with rice and no tthe pile of stuff that some of the others serve - would just get wasted. My choice was easy - chicken Scnitzel. crunchy coating and moist and juicy inside, with half small baked spud, sweet green pepper, rice, salad and half grilled tomato. Both of us just manged to finish. I'm sure these casserole dishes have a hidden compartment that hides more, and just opens up when you think you are nearly done. With the usual couple of beers the bill came to a wallet busting 26TL - look at the menus on the main drag and you will see exactly the same dishes at around 16-17TL EACH - make your own mind up if you want to pay nearly double for the added ambience, decor and army of waiters
just a balmy 32 degrees in the shade at the moment with a nice cooling breeze. Initial thoughts for tonight from the boss is spag bol, so if she stayd with that it will be the Blue Bar and a curry for me. Will let you know

[CatsWhisker]

Glad your having a good chill. enjoy it all

[m1cksut]

so many things to do M1cksut - swimming,snorkelling, jeep safari, horse riding, kayakking, white water rafting to name but a few, but the problem with these it that you can't have an EFES whilst doing them

that would count them out for me then.
also, i cant swim, sao most of them wouldnt be on my schedule anyhow.
jeep safari though is a possible, will i see the elephants?

[Dalyansteve]

If you have enough beer you will see anything you like!!!

We went to the Cagri last night, quite early, had the last of the chicken dish with potatoes and other things and a cheese salad, water, tea and coffee was free and only paid 10 lira!!! Ok so we are local but even at 15 lira it would have been a good deal.
In fact all the locals will recomend the Cagri as it is open all year and in the winter the choice at lunchtime is great, which is why all the workers go there including the other locals and the bank staff, who get vouchers, so it changes every day.

[John Codling]

Where is the Cagri I am having trouble placing it.

[Julie]

John its opposite where the Dolmus stops .In the market on the right hand side.Round the corner from the butchers with the cooked chickens are outside.:Happy:

[John Codling]

cheers julie

[Banjoman]

M1cksut – you may see some trunks, but not sure about other bits. I’m told the Turkish for elephant is Phil so if you know any Phils………………………..<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
At the Blue Bar last night. Boss thinks she is having memory problems as it was not the spag bol she thought, so maybe it was somewhere else she says. Was ok with plenty of meat, but a bit on the dry side as there was not a lot of sauce. Also odd that when asking for more Parmesan, they took the plate away to add some, rather than just bringing out a small dish with it in to add herself.<o:p></o:p>
Balti was excellent – have had worse at home, and we live 20mins from the home of Balti in Brum. I would rate is a more towards hot than medium, so be careful if you don’t like it spicy. Poppadum ok , a tad greasy, but that happens at home as well. Naan probably as good as it gets here – more like pide bread, but does the job of soaking up the juices<o:p></o:p>
A pleasant surprises with the red wine – didn’t need the soda to improve it. If I had not been in a beer mood then a couple of bottles would easily have gone down.<o:p></o:p>
2 mains, poppadum, naan, 2 glasses vino, soda and a beer came to a reasonable 48 lira.<o:p></o:p>
Will have to try the Thai curry next time.<o:p></o:p>

[m1cksut]

M1cksut – you may see some trunks, but not sure about other bits. I’m told the Turkish for elephant is Phil so if you know any Phils………………………..<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
At the Blue Bar last night. Boss thinks she is having memory problems as it was not the spag bol she thought, so maybe it was somewhere else she says. Was ok with plenty of meat, but a bit on the dry side as there was not a lot of sauce. Also odd that when asking for more Parmesan, they took the plate away to add some, rather than just bringing out a small dish with it in to add herself.<o:p></o:p>
Balti was excellent – have had worse at home, and we live 20mins from the home of Balti in Brum. I would rate is a more towards hot than medium, so be careful if you don’t like it spicy. Poppadum ok , a tad greasy, but that happens at home as well. Naan probably as good as it gets here – more like pide bread, but does the job of soaking up the juices<o:p></o:p>
A pleasant surprises with the red wine – didn’t need the soda to improve it. If I had not been in a beer mood then a couple of bottles would easily have gone down.<o:p></o:p>
2 mains, poppadum, naan, 2 glasses vino, soda and a beer came to a reasonable 48 lira.<o:p></o:p>
Will have to try the Thai curry next time.<o:p></o:p>

so thats my other question answered, you CAN get a curry there!

woooohooooo!!!
im as happy as a frenchman thats just invented a pair of self-removing trousers!!!

[Banjoman]

Dinner at what used to be Saki last night – still no idea what it is called as there is no name to be seen anywhere, but just opposite Cagri. Can’t miss it as there is no menu, but just 8 or 9 huge orange stickers on the windows telling you what he has got – basically chicken ( with or without special sauce) and chips, steak and chips, fish and chips – some sort of local fish and not the usual bass or bream, calamari and a couple of other things.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Just a one man band with his daughter as the waitress. I think I’ll call it Marco’s as there is a distinct likeness to Marco Pierre White, especially with the tea towel draped round his head. I recall somebody telling me he used to be chef at the Dalyan Resort. Had the Calamari starter – very tasty with good batter and texture – none of that rubbery stuff that comes from overcooking. We both had the chicken and chips, me with special sauce and the boss without – one of the best chickens we have had – so moist and juicy. Not sure what was in the sauce apart from a hint of soy, but did find it on the bland side – but my taste is for the spicy, and another guest here thoroughly enjoyed it. Proper crunchy chips more like mini wedges than French fries and some salad, including really fresh iceberg lettuce. With one beer and a water this time a grand total of 31 lira – take off the calamari which is always more expensive (10 TL), and you can have 2 damned good chicken and chips for 16 lira – try doing that on the main drag.<o:p></o:p>
Now have to have a think about where to go tonight<o:p></o:p>

[m1cksut]

Dinner at what used to be Saki last night – still no idea what it is called as there is no name to be seen anywhere, but just opposite Cagri. Can’t miss it as there is no menu, but just 8 or 9 huge orange stickers on the windows telling you what he has got – basically chicken ( with or without special sauce) and chips, steak and chips, fish and chips – some sort of local fish and not the usual bass or bream, calamari and a couple of other things.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Just a one man band with his daughter as the waitress. I think I’ll call it Marco’s as there is a distinct likeness to Marco Pierre White, especially with the tea towel draped round his head. I recall somebody telling me he used to be chef at the Dalyan Resort. Had the Calamari starter – very tasty with good batter and texture – none of that rubbery stuff that comes from overcooking. We both had the chicken and chips, me with special sauce and the boss without – one of the best chickens we have had – so moist and juicy. Not sure what was in the sauce apart from a hint of soy, but did find it on the bland side – but my taste is for the spicy, and another guest here thoroughly enjoyed it. Proper crunchy chips more like mini wedges than French fries and some salad, including really fresh iceberg lettuce. With one beer and a water this time a grand total of 31 lira – take off the calamari which is always more expensive (10 TL), and you can have 2 damned good chicken and chips for 16 lira – try doing that on the main drag.<o:p></o:p>
Now have to have a think about where to go tonight<o:p></o:p>

REALLY ENJOYING THIS series, just a shame we dont overlap.
keep it up banjoman, 10/10.

[Tubby2]

Oh Banjoman, what a dilemma to have, where to eat. I can't wait to be in the same position. Ramazan Han for our first supper and always the last too with many many more in between. Gecit is getting good write ups this year so thats on the list of to do's.

Keep up the good work, its really getting me in holiday mode. I hear today there's rain on the way too, can you clear that out the way before we get there please. Many thanks.

[Dalyansteve]

The restaurant that was Saki actually is called fiesta but Marco's will do and it is more commonly called the fish and chip shop as that is what most of us go for!
For value you are going to find the places you have been to difficult to beat.

[Banjoman]

that explains the chicken and steak Fiesta name then - must try the fish and chips next time ( if there is any left with all the other places to go to)
.Wandered along the riverside last night and ended up at Cardak for dinner. The garden slightly changed again since June, and more tables put out there for eating – a good job as we arrived just before nine and the place was packed, and not a free table at all, but spotted a single friend of ours and joined her table, so no waiting. Had a nice view into the kitchen and .watched the chef cope with the 20 or so tickets he had on the go. All the waiters running round like maniacs and trying to keep up with drinks and food service – but a great job done – we were at the back end of the queue and still got main courses within 25 minutes. “puffy” bread as I call it to start and then Chicken casserole for the boss – another of those bottomless clay tiles. Totally different taste from Cagri with a more tomato base and different flavours and it passed the taste test with flying colours, although a struggle to finish ( not a big eater). You can have these casseroles done in a clay pot that is sealed and then broken at the table for you – but I think it is just a bit of a gimmick. Sini restaurant was doing these about 3 years ago and others seem to be copying.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
I finally got the swordfish steak I missed out in June as they had run out, and it was well worth it. Perfectly grilled with a very fresh green salad and a few chips. Our friend had the grilled tiger prawns and they looked great – half a dozen giant size with the usual salad and bits – almost wish I had gone for the same, but would have then missed out on the swordfish.<o:p></o:p>
Final total for 2 mains, 2 beers and 2 red wine spritzers came to 65 lira – swordfish was 20 or 22 lira so a good deal all round. Sitting by the entrance nearly everybody was complementing the food and service as they left. We will try and get there again before we go, but so many places to eat and so little time!<o:p></o:p>
.<o:p></o:p>

[m1cksut]

that explains the chicken and steak Fiesta name then - must try the fish and chips next time ( if there is any left with all the other places to go to)
.Wandered along the riverside last night and ended up at Cardak for dinner. The garden slightly changed again since June, and more tables put out there for eating – a good job as we arrived just before nine and the place was packed, and not a free table at all, but spotted a single friend of ours and joined her table, so no waiting. Had a nice view into the kitchen and .watched the chef cope with the 20 or so tickets he had on the go. All the waiters running round like maniacs and trying to keep up with drinks and food service – but a great job done – we were at the back end of the queue and still got main courses within 25 minutes. “puffy” bread as I call it to start and then Chicken casserole for the boss – another of those bottomless clay tiles. Totally different taste from Cagri with a more tomato base and different flavours and it passed the taste test with flying colours, although a struggle to finish ( not a big eater). You can have these casseroles done in a clay pot that is sealed and then broken at the table for you – but I think it is just a bit of a gimmick. Sini restaurant was doing these about 3 years ago and others seem to be copying.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
I finally got the swordfish steak I missed out in June as they had run out, and it was well worth it. Perfectly grilled with a very fresh green salad and a few chips. Our friend had the grilled tiger prawns and they looked great – half a dozen giant size with the usual salad and bits – almost wish I had gone for the same, but would have then missed out on the swordfish.<o:p></o:p>
Final total for 2 mains, 2 beers and 2 red wine spritzers came to 65 lira – swordfish was 20 or 22 lira so a good deal all round. Sitting by the entrance nearly everybody was complementing the food and service as they left. We will try and get there again before we go, but so many places to eat and so little time!<o:p></o:p>
.<o:p></o:p>

im not sure if its just me, but the prices you are quoting are reminding me of marmaris 10 years ago, i guess i got used to bodrum prices, which would, for the above have been at least double.
cant bloody wait now!

[Banjoman]

Went past Chardak last night – after the evening before when it was heaving, it was only half full at the most. Same thing with a lot of the others that seem to be packed one night, and virtually empty the next. I see no obvious rhyme or reason as to why it is like this.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Ended up at the Begonvil for dinner – another one now doing the “puffy bread”. The boss had beef stroganoff – tasty but not sure it was all cut from the same pieces of steak – most of it very very tender, but other pieces quire chewy. Still came with rice and the usual salad mix instead of just rice as at home – portion of rice quite small, but at least there was some mashed potato to help soak up the juice. An overall thumbs up from the boss. <o:p></o:p>
My choice was chicken fajitas – good kick with the chicken and plenty of peppers and onions. The boss reckoned a little too hot for her taste, but it worked for me. Presentation is good with a kidney shaped sizzler dish and small pots of cheese, salsa and sour cream , fitted into a wooden board. Extra decoration with a few unnecessary chips – why do you need chips with fajitas?<o:p></o:p>
The challenge is what to do with the tortilla – you only get on one large one, so either stuff it full and end up with one massive wrap with bits spilling out all over the place, or carefully tear into 2,3 or 4 smaller pieces and fill those – but it still gets pretty messy. Very filling and very tasty. Add in a red wine and soda, one beer and came to 55 lira which is quite reasonable for the main drag..<o:p></o:p>
Break for a couple of days now – Barbecue night in the hotel tonight – always superb with loads of home made starters, and Ali demonstrating his cooking skills on the grill – complete with hairdryer to get the charcoal going. Tomorrow is 12 <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Island</st1:place> trip ( do it every time as it is just a great day out), and usually so knackered after it we stay and eat in or just order a take away.<o:p></o:p>

[m1cksut]

Break for a couple of days now – Barbecue night in the hotel tonight – always superb with loads of home made starters, and Ali demonstrating his cooking skills on the grill – complete with hairdryer to get the charcoal going. Tomorrow is 12 <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on">Island</st1:place> trip ( do it every time as it is just a great day out), and usually so knackered after it we stay and eat in or just order a take away.<o:p></o:p>

must really have taken it out of you, no posts for days now, did you get marooned on one of the 12 islands?
ben gunn! ben gunn! pieces of eight, squawwwwk!!!

[Banjoman]

Still here M!cksut, not marooned ( although on pancake island it would be ok) – in fact did not get to see one island, let alone 12. Long story, but combination of iffy weather forecast and misunderstandings meant it was all cancelled – but having done the trip twice a year for around 8 years not a disaster.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
Now to catch up with eating done over the last few days<o:p></o:p>
<o:p> </o:p>
Adilan – chicken in hot sauce for me, very similar to the one I have at my local Chinese, with a good chilli kick. A struggle to get through as there was so much chicken. Comes with half a double baked potato, grilled tomato topped with cheese, and a great crispy potato crisp/skin basket filled with green beans – have not found these anywhere else so a nice change from the usual side bits. Boss back on the chicken casserole with just rice ( did not want all the other bits, but this time she found they hid the chips in the casserole along with everything else – there is an obsession with chips over here. Perfectly tasty but not as good as Cagri she says. Add in the usual red wine\soda and a beer and total 42 lira<o:p></o:p>
Bulent the next night – looks like he has closed the second place he opened just 2 doors away from the original - probably a good job as the chips were terrible – all greasy and some hard in the middle – his wife does the perfect ones with crunch outside and a fluffy middle. I had the doner chicken on a plate ( as opposed to the wrap or in the half loaf), and the boss had the meatballs – you get half a dozen small ones which are ample for her appetite, and a plate of chips to share, together with a couple of cans of coke (not the usual small bottles) total was only 22 lira – fantastic value for money.<o:p></o:p>
Next was the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Hidden</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Garden</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> to see Faith and what had changed since June. Very busy, but as were that bit later (9.15 or so) most of the tables were already well through their meals so not really long to wait for service. The popular puffy bread to start , but as well as butter it also comes with a chilli tomato relish and a yoghurt dip/spread – different from all the others that just do butter. Boss went for Anatolian kebab ( with just rice) – basically a beef stir fry with veg in a tomato based sauce. Served on the tripod with cotton wool fire beneath to keep it hot, which is where things started to go wrong – waiter carefully spooned about half onto the plate and the boss got stuck in – beef melted in the mouth and sauce delicious and it was going down well, then she decided to top up from the tripod. Problem 1 – waiter had left the serving spoon on the top of tripod so it was now bloody hot, and a quick ouch as she tried to pick it up. Problem 2 was that because the cotton wool was still well alight, it was still cooking the second half, and had almost dried up all the sauce and just starting to give the meat a burnt taste, so it spoiled what would have been a superb dish. As much our own fault as anything else. We have had loads of stir frys over the years, and it is pretty obvious that leaving the spoon in the mix means it will get hot, and if the fire is still going it will dry up all the liquid, but you get nattering and such and you forget until it is too late – maybe a smaller fire that dies out quicker and the waiterr leaving the spoon on the side instead would help – I don’t believe we are only ones that have had the same trouble.<o:p></o:p>
Onto my dish – chicken fajitas – an enjoyable dish but out traded description laws would get them for calling them fajitas – looked ok at first glance on the usual wooden serving platter, but the chicken looked wrong – all the onions and peppers underneath and the chicken grilled and sliced laid out neatly on top, as though done separately and then put on top at the last minute – taste confirmed this – absolutely no hint of seasoning or spices at all. Also the 3 pots quite unusual – one with a chilli style red salsa ( mild), one with chooped onion and tomato (ok) and one with yoghurt with what tasted like honey ( weird – they call it douchester sauce on then menu, so anybody’s guess what it was supposed to be). What happened to the cheese and sour cream\plain yoghurt? Everything tasted ok, but they were not fajitas. .Got hold of Faith at the end to tell him my thoughts, and he did admit he had actually run out of fajita seasoning and was.waiting for more – they get it from the same supplier as the Begonvil, so the taste ought to be very similar. My suggestion was that he should take them off the menu until the spice mix arrives.<o:p></o:p>
2 wine\soda and one beer brought the total to 66 lira – overpriced in my opinion ( even if the meals had been perfect) compared to others on the main drag. 4 others from our hotel have also been there and all were very satisfied with quality, service and portions, so don’t let my experience put you off – he has been very busy most nights, and despite what happened I would happily go back ( but for something different)<o:p></o:p>
Finally for today before I bore you all to death – the Blue Bar again last night, We were later so some things had run out of, but boss had Chicken Tikka Massala with Pilau rice. I think it was described as medium, but we both agreed it was more mild than medium ( which suited her anyway), and the lot was polished off, and a big thumbs up – would be happy if that was served at our local Indian.<o:p></o:p>
I went for Thai this time – Tom Yum (hot and sour ) soup – tasted really good, Excellent texture to the chicken and veg, and a good chilli kick with the broth. Red chicken curry and plain boiled rice to follow, which again was delicious – just managed to get through it all. A couple of glasses of their really good house wine ( Harman, and no soda needed) and a beer came in at 59 lira – for me, considerably better value all round than the Hidden Garden. <o:p></o:p>
Eight of us dining at Safran tonight ( always a great experience) so watch this space – and Micksut take note that if you like Efes Extra, they have it as well as the normal Efes and only 2 and a half days to go!<o:p></o:p>

[m1cksut]

many thanks for all the reviews, very helpful, enjoy the rest of your holiday,will wave as we pass in the airport,