Say love with liquor sauce
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Kristen Stevens
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Şubat 07, 2009 00:00
ISTANBUL - Unexpected extravagance awaits you and yours this week. Think of it as a late annual bonus or a love investment. Whatever the rationale, this is your week to sink into layers of Balinese massage at home, learn Bollywood dance moves or wind things up, or down, with raspberry cheesecake covered in Turkish coffee sauce.
No matter where you go this week something or someone will plant it in your mind that you should be blissed out with some hot lover come Valentine's Day.
True or not, this is a strange time of year when many people feel obligated to feed each other spoonfuls of love. Drop the pressure and serve yourself too. The Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review shares some roads to decadent glory, from sexy dance class for singles to a side-by-side Hot Volcanic Stone Massage.
Latin dance class is king where owner and instructor Kutsal Zeren opened a café dance studio several months ago. A departure from competition or formal Latin dance, his class is sexy and relaxed. This is no Turkish mother-in-law’s regional dance.
Zeren studied and taught Latin dance for eight years before turning his favorite hobby - he’s an engineer - into a full-blown business. In addition to hip hop, tango, salsa dance classes, Depo Dans also offers yoga and pilates. This month a new Bollywood dance class is on offer - for those who saw the end of the film "Slumdog Millionaire", inspiration should be close at hand (Saturdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.). Starting this month is a new round of classes including the signature "latin dans" on Sundays, which features Bachata, Club Cha Cha and Merengue (3:30 - 7:00 p.m.) Cost: 120 TL/month (free practice nights and parties) Sıraselviler Cad. Yeni Yuva Sok. No: 18. Cihangir, Beyoğlu (0212) 249 75 28 info@depodans.com www.depodans.com
For the love of body
At Yogassala in Etiler and Nisantasi Yogasala has a class for everyone. From Ashtanga, Yin-Yang, Kundalini and basic Hatha to meditation sessions and massage therapies. Vinyasa yoga training for instructors is also offered this fall. Cost: 30 TL Nisantasi (0212) 241 00 67 (call here for limited offerings in Galata) Etiler (0212) 263 24 11 www.yogasala.com
Or take yourself and any of your valentines in tow to Relax and Reflexology Center where a small crew of Chinese masseurs feature a line-up of shiatsu and stress-eliminating massages. Their busy little dynasty in Cihangir might just make you a subject. Set to relaxing Chinese music, the head, neck and back reign supreme during a round of vigorous shiatsu massage. Emerge reenergized after a session of their much lauded foot reflexology. Note to night owls: they’re open until 11:00 p.m. daily. / 65 TL for one hour / 80 TL for 90 minutes / Kilicalipasa Mah. Susam Sokak No 20/3. Cihangir, Beyoğlu (0212) 245 3779 emyshao@yahoo.com.tw
At the Tünel end of İstiklal, discover reiki’s healing hands, pilates and various forms of meditation and yoga at Owukun Meditation Center. For a deeper plunge into the center’s resource pool, try the Kobido Japanese Facial Massage or the Hot Volcanic Stone Massage. Ayurvedic massage is an intuitive deep tissue treatment using special oils and a therapist’s hands and feet. With your head in the clouds, make a little time with the stars. Astrology sessions range from general to health, relationship and baby/child readings. / Cost: 25-30 TL Asmah Mescit Sokak, Atlas Apt. 9/2 / (0212) 245 75 11 kun@oshokun.com www.oshokun.com
Starters for dining out
As Valentine’s evening draws near, Turkey’s www.rezztoran.com keeps you in the loop and lets you reserve the hottest tables hassle-free. The Web site is in Turkish but clear enough for anyone to use anywhere in Turkey.
Nestled beside the famous twisting French Street full of cafes is a restaurant and bar called Cezayir housed in a 107-year-old Italian schoolhouse. Inviting guests into its easy ambience and stylish indoor and outdoor garden bar, the food is served with a laid-back confidence. New versions of classic Turkish cuisine hit the table with integrity and seasonal freshness. The chef scores with a list of starters such as chickpea balls with grape molasses and hot tomato sauce.
The grilled hallumi and sundried tomato pesto wrapped in vine leaves left the Daily News reporter’s jaw ajar in anticipation of the next meze, or Turkish-style tapas. The purslane (semizotu) and cherry number complements the chicken liver pate prepared with pistachios and whisky. The classic artichoke heart dish served with generous citrus essence brings an already great standard to new heights.
While enjoying dessert liquor or one of the specialty house cocktails, let the world music beats and interior style set the mood as the restaurant transforms into a late-hours bar. Don’t stop now: Order the ice cream with your choice of liquor sauce and the raspberry cheesecake covered in Turkish coffee sauce. Starter dishes are reasonably priced, ranging from TL 6-12. Cezayir is down the hill to the left from Galatasaray High School / Hayriye Caddesi 16 www.cezayir-istanbul.com.
The Galata House, a one-time British clinker, has been converted into a restaurant and restored by a couple with loads to share. He is a foreign-trained architect and she specializes in Georgian cuisine. Enthusiastic about sharing the local history with foreigners and locals, this meal could go down as a piece of personal history. Check out the centuries-old prison graffiti... Don’t fear the doorbell, turn yourself in. You’ll be a prisoner of love. Galatakulesi Sok 61 (0212) 245 1861 www.thegalatahouse.com
Some secrets are so good that town criers should be heralding them on every corner. Turkey's one and only online food delivery portal www.yemeksepeti.com takes your orders in a most accurate, rapid and easy way, forwarding it to the respective restaurant immediately. No credit card, no security issues. Give your order free of charge, and be ready to eat in 10-45 minutes. "We’re more accurate than the phone;" they say on their Web site, which was named Best in Turkey. "'But you told us to bring it spicy. I can’t go back, you have to take this.' era is over."
And order in again. Why leave the house to enjoy full-blown relaxation, you ask? Call on Ayu or Suri of WaterLily Home Spa to come to your home and provide massage from their native Bali or an aromatherapy, shiatsu or hot stone therapy. Reasonably priced, these services are offered by trained professionals who also deliver a deluxe sea salt facial that will whisk away worry lines. For a few days, anyway. Women only. (0532) 797 9869
True or not, this is a strange time of year when many people feel obligated to feed each other spoonfuls of love. Drop the pressure and serve yourself too. The Hürriyet Daily News & Economic Review shares some roads to decadent glory, from sexy dance class for singles to a side-by-side Hot Volcanic Stone Massage.
Latin dance class is king where owner and instructor Kutsal Zeren opened a café dance studio several months ago. A departure from competition or formal Latin dance, his class is sexy and relaxed. This is no Turkish mother-in-law’s regional dance.
Zeren studied and taught Latin dance for eight years before turning his favorite hobby - he’s an engineer - into a full-blown business. In addition to hip hop, tango, salsa dance classes, Depo Dans also offers yoga and pilates. This month a new Bollywood dance class is on offer - for those who saw the end of the film "Slumdog Millionaire", inspiration should be close at hand (Saturdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.). Starting this month is a new round of classes including the signature "latin dans" on Sundays, which features Bachata, Club Cha Cha and Merengue (3:30 - 7:00 p.m.) Cost: 120 TL/month (free practice nights and parties) Sıraselviler Cad. Yeni Yuva Sok. No: 18. Cihangir, Beyoğlu (0212) 249 75 28 info@depodans.com www.depodans.com
For the love of body
At Yogassala in Etiler and Nisantasi Yogasala has a class for everyone. From Ashtanga, Yin-Yang, Kundalini and basic Hatha to meditation sessions and massage therapies. Vinyasa yoga training for instructors is also offered this fall. Cost: 30 TL Nisantasi (0212) 241 00 67 (call here for limited offerings in Galata) Etiler (0212) 263 24 11 www.yogasala.com
Or take yourself and any of your valentines in tow to Relax and Reflexology Center where a small crew of Chinese masseurs feature a line-up of shiatsu and stress-eliminating massages. Their busy little dynasty in Cihangir might just make you a subject. Set to relaxing Chinese music, the head, neck and back reign supreme during a round of vigorous shiatsu massage. Emerge reenergized after a session of their much lauded foot reflexology. Note to night owls: they’re open until 11:00 p.m. daily. / 65 TL for one hour / 80 TL for 90 minutes / Kilicalipasa Mah. Susam Sokak No 20/3. Cihangir, Beyoğlu (0212) 245 3779 emyshao@yahoo.com.tw
At the Tünel end of İstiklal, discover reiki’s healing hands, pilates and various forms of meditation and yoga at Owukun Meditation Center. For a deeper plunge into the center’s resource pool, try the Kobido Japanese Facial Massage or the Hot Volcanic Stone Massage. Ayurvedic massage is an intuitive deep tissue treatment using special oils and a therapist’s hands and feet. With your head in the clouds, make a little time with the stars. Astrology sessions range from general to health, relationship and baby/child readings. / Cost: 25-30 TL Asmah Mescit Sokak, Atlas Apt. 9/2 / (0212) 245 75 11 kun@oshokun.com www.oshokun.com
Starters for dining out
As Valentine’s evening draws near, Turkey’s www.rezztoran.com keeps you in the loop and lets you reserve the hottest tables hassle-free. The Web site is in Turkish but clear enough for anyone to use anywhere in Turkey.
Nestled beside the famous twisting French Street full of cafes is a restaurant and bar called Cezayir housed in a 107-year-old Italian schoolhouse. Inviting guests into its easy ambience and stylish indoor and outdoor garden bar, the food is served with a laid-back confidence. New versions of classic Turkish cuisine hit the table with integrity and seasonal freshness. The chef scores with a list of starters such as chickpea balls with grape molasses and hot tomato sauce.
The grilled hallumi and sundried tomato pesto wrapped in vine leaves left the Daily News reporter’s jaw ajar in anticipation of the next meze, or Turkish-style tapas. The purslane (semizotu) and cherry number complements the chicken liver pate prepared with pistachios and whisky. The classic artichoke heart dish served with generous citrus essence brings an already great standard to new heights.
While enjoying dessert liquor or one of the specialty house cocktails, let the world music beats and interior style set the mood as the restaurant transforms into a late-hours bar. Don’t stop now: Order the ice cream with your choice of liquor sauce and the raspberry cheesecake covered in Turkish coffee sauce. Starter dishes are reasonably priced, ranging from TL 6-12. Cezayir is down the hill to the left from Galatasaray High School / Hayriye Caddesi 16 www.cezayir-istanbul.com.
The Galata House, a one-time British clinker, has been converted into a restaurant and restored by a couple with loads to share. He is a foreign-trained architect and she specializes in Georgian cuisine. Enthusiastic about sharing the local history with foreigners and locals, this meal could go down as a piece of personal history. Check out the centuries-old prison graffiti... Don’t fear the doorbell, turn yourself in. You’ll be a prisoner of love. Galatakulesi Sok 61 (0212) 245 1861 www.thegalatahouse.com
Some secrets are so good that town criers should be heralding them on every corner. Turkey's one and only online food delivery portal www.yemeksepeti.com takes your orders in a most accurate, rapid and easy way, forwarding it to the respective restaurant immediately. No credit card, no security issues. Give your order free of charge, and be ready to eat in 10-45 minutes. "We’re more accurate than the phone;" they say on their Web site, which was named Best in Turkey. "'But you told us to bring it spicy. I can’t go back, you have to take this.' era is over."
And order in again. Why leave the house to enjoy full-blown relaxation, you ask? Call on Ayu or Suri of WaterLily Home Spa to come to your home and provide massage from their native Bali or an aromatherapy, shiatsu or hot stone therapy. Reasonably priced, these services are offered by trained professionals who also deliver a deluxe sea salt facial that will whisk away worry lines. For a few days, anyway. Women only. (0532) 797 9869