The Table

All food and drink

The food and drink I love — brought to the table, not the notebook. Nearly every plate is my own making — the marked few are store-bought.

Made

Soups

4 dishes
A glass bowl of creamy mushroom soup on a wooden table, beautifully garnished in the center with overlapping slices of sautéed mushrooms and a sprinkle of black pepper.View largerOpen
Creamy Mushroom SoupKremalı Mantar Çorbası
A glass bowl of rich red domates çorbası (tomato soup) on a wooden table, garnished with a slice of lemon and a ring of black pepper.View largerOpen
Tomato SoupDomates Çorbası
A glass bowl of smooth, yellow mercimek çorbası (lentil soup) on a wooden table, garnished with a slice of lemon and a swirl of red pepper flakes in oil.View largerOpen
Lentil SoupMercimek Çorbası
A glass bowl of golden tavuk suyu çorbası (chicken broth soup) on a wooden table, garnished with a slice of lemon and a sprinkle of black pepper.View largerOpen
Chicken Broth SoupTavuk Suyu Çorbası

Salads

2 dishes
A glass bowl of piyaz salatası — white beans mixed with red onion, tomato, and parsley, garnished with black olives, hard-boiled egg quarters, and a dusting of sumac.View largerOpen
White Bean SaladPiyaz Salatası
A glass bowl of çoban salatası — diced tomato, red onion half-moons, whole black olives, and plenty of parsley.View largerOpen
Shepherd's SaladÇoban Salatası

Olive Oil Dishes

1 dish
A neatly stacked pile of yaprak sarma (stuffed vine leaves) on a white plate, glistening with olive oil and garnished with a lemon slice and a sprig of fresh dill.View largerOpen
Stuffed Vine LeavesYaprak Sarma

Mains

12 dishes
A whole roasted chicken baked to a golden brown, glistening with juices and sprinkled with fresh thyme, served in a carved wooden bowl.View largerOpen
Roast ChickenKızarmış Tavuk
A neat pile of finger-shaped, grilled İnegöl köfte with prominent grill marks, served on a carved wooden plate with grilled green peppers, fresh parsley, and a dollop of red pepper paste.View largerOpen
İnegöl Meatballsİnegöl Köfte
Five oval-shaped, grilled cızbız köfte with distinct char marks, served on a carved wooden plate alongside grilled green peppers, a charred tomato half, and a red onion and parsley salad.View largerOpen
Grilled MeatballsCızbız Köfte
A carved wooden plate of İskender kebap — thin slices of döner meat over pita bread, generously drenched in tomato sauce and served with a side of yogurt and grilled green peppers.View largerOpen
İskender KebapStore-bought
A neatly stacked pile of golden, perfectly fried patates kızartması (French fries) lightly dusted with coarse salt, served in a carved wooden bowl.View largerOpen
French FriesPatates Kızartması
A single Turkish islak burger on a carved wooden plate — its soft buns heavily steamed and soaked in a glossy, garlicky tomato sauce.View largerOpen
Wet BurgerIslak Burger
A large, fluffy Turkish baked potato on a carved wooden plate, loaded with melted cheese, black olives, chopped pickles, and a criss-cross drizzle of ketchup and mayonnaise.View largerOpen
Baked PotatoKumpir
A whole Super Supreme Pizza baked to a golden brown, topped with pepperoni, sliced mushrooms, black olives, green peppers, and red onions, resting on a metal cooling rack over a baking sheet on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Super Supreme Pizza
A freshly baked, boat-shaped kaşarlı pide filled with bubbling, golden-brown melted cheese, resting on a metal cooling rack.View largerOpen
Cheese PideKaşarlı Pide
A crisp, thin round of lahmacun topped with minced meat, garnished with fresh parsley, red onion rings, and lemon wedges, resting on a metal cooling rack.View largerOpen
Lahmacun
A white plate of classic Kayseri mantısı (Turkish dumplings) topped with a generous layer of garlic yogurt, drizzled with red pepper oil, and sprinkled with dried mint.View largerOpen
Turkish DumplingsKayseri Mantısı
A white plate of Feraye mantı (crispy fried Turkish dumplings) piled high, topped with garlic yogurt, red pepper oil, and a sprinkle of dried mint.View largerOpen
Crispy DumplingsFeraye Mantı

Seafood

3 dishes
A perfectly grilled salmon fillet on a carved wooden plate, drizzled with olive oil and generously topped with minced garlic and fresh dill.View largerOpen
SalmonSomon Balığı
A small mound of glistening black caviar carefully plated on a simple white dish.View largerOpen
Black CaviarSiyah HavyarStore-bought
A whole lobe of bright orange cured fish roe (bottarga) resting on a small white plate.View largerOpen
BottargaKurutulmuş Balık YumurtasıStore-bought

Street Food

6 dishes
A white plate holding a neat arrangement of spicy, hand-kneaded çiğ köfte, served alongside crisp lettuce leaves and wedges of fresh lemon.View largerOpen
Çiğ KöfteStore-bought
Two wooden skewers of golden, crispy midye tava (fried mussels) resting on a white plate beside a generous dollop of creamy tarator sauce.View largerOpen
Fried Mussels with Tarator SauceMidye Tava ve Tarator Sos
A white plate holding three midye dolma (stuffed mussels) — their dark shells opened to reveal a savory, spiced rice filling — served with a wedge of fresh lemon.View largerOpen
Stuffed MusselsMidye Dolma
A bright yellow ear of boiled corn on the cob (mısır haşlama) resting on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Boiled CornMısır Haşlama
A whole roasted ear of corn (mısır kebap) with blackened grill marks, resting on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Roasted CornMısır Kebap
A cluster of roasted kestane kebap (chestnuts) in a wooden bowl, their dark, scored shells split open to reveal the warm, golden-brown nut inside.View largerOpen
Roasted ChestnutsKestane Kebap

Pastries

16 dishes
A single round, pale shortbread cookie on a white plate, with a cocoa-dusted center stamped to look exactly like a mushroom cap.View largerOpen
Mushroom CookieMantar Kurabiye
A single tırtıl kurabiye on a white plate — two piped shortbread cookies sandwiched with red jam, with one end dipped in dark chocolate.View largerOpen
Caterpillar CookieTırtıl Kurabiye
A single flower-shaped shortbread cookie dusted with powdered sugar, with a bright orange marmalade center, resting on a white plate.View largerOpen
Marmalade Flower CookieMarmelatlı Çiçek Kurabiye
A white plate filled with an assortment of golden-baked Turkish savory pastries in various shapes — twists, stars, flowers, and rounds — sprinkled with white and black sesame seeds.View largerOpen
Savory PastriesTuzlu Kuru Pasta
A single crescent-shaped elmalı kurabiye — a soft Turkish apple cookie dusted generously with powdered sugar — resting on a white plate.View largerOpen
Apple CookieElmalı Kurabiye
A stack of three small kandil simidi rings on a white plate — one plain, one coated in sesame seeds, and one coated in black nigella seeds.View largerOpen
Kandil Simidi
A single rectangular un kurabiyesi — a soft, crumbly Turkish flour cookie heavily dusted with powdered sugar, with traditional fork-pressed grooves along its top — resting on a white plate.View largerOpen
Flour CookieUn Kurabiyesi
A single golden almond cookie with a whole almond pressed into its cracked top, on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Almond CookiesAcıbadem Kurabiyesi
A white plate holding three small, round Turkish-style mini pizzas with assorted toppings including sausage, spinach, and ground meat.View largerOpen
Mini Pizza
A white plate holding two mini Turkish 'bearded sandwiches' — small, shiny, golden-brown buns filled with cream cheese. The exposed filling of one is heavily coated in chopped fresh green parsley, and the other in grated yellow kashkaval cheese, creating their signature 'beards'.View largerOpen
Bearded SandwichSakallı Sandviç
A classic crescent-shaped Turkish ay çöreği on a carved wooden plate, topped with a rich dark glaze and sliced almonds.View largerOpen
Crescent PastryAy Çöreği
A large, round, spiraled tahinli çörek with a glossy, golden-brown crust generously sprinkled with sesame seeds, resting on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Tahini Pastry RollTahinli Çörek
A beautifully braided loaf of Paskalya Çöreği with a deeply browned, shiny crust, generously topped with sliced almonds, resting on a wire cooling rack.View largerOpen
Easter BreadPaskalya Çöreği
A round, golden-brown poğaça with a shiny egg-washed crust and a delicate crosshatch pattern on top, resting on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Poğaça
A single large, soft, ring-shaped açma with a shiny golden-brown crust and classic twisted texture, resting on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Turkish Soft BagelAçma
A single large, round Turkish simit — a twisted, circular bread heavily encrusted with toasted sesame seeds — resting on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Simit

Desserts

7 dishes
A classic Turkish street-style waffle on a white plate, featuring a large, soft heart-shaped waffle folded in half like a sandwich, generously stuffed with melted chocolate, sliced bananas, and fresh strawberries.View largerOpen
Waffle
A slice of kadayıf — golden shredded pastry soaked in syrup and topped with ground pistachio — on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Kadayıf
A round künefe — crisp golden shredded pastry over a molten cheese center, soaked in syrup and crowned with ground pistachio — on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
KünefeStore-bought
Six golden, round lokma — fried sweet dough balls — neatly stacked on a white plate, gleaming with a coating of thick, sweet syrup.View largerOpen
Lokma
Four thick, vibrant orange slices of candied pumpkin arranged in a circle on a white plate, generously drizzled with creamy tahini and topped with crushed walnuts.View largerOpen
Pumpkin DessertKabak Tatlısı
A single piece of fıstıklı dolama — a vivid green, tightly rolled Turkish dessert made almost entirely of ground pistachios wrapped in a single layer of phyllo dough and soaked in syrup — on a white plate.View largerOpen
Pistachio RollFıstıklı DolamaStore-bought
A single piece of yaprak şöbiyet — a bright green, triangular Turkish dessert made of folded phyllo dough generously filled with pistachio and soaked in syrup — resting on a white plate.View largerOpen
Yaprak ŞöbiyetStore-bought

Confectionery

11 dishes
A single piece of lokum entirely coated in dried, dark pink rose petals, resting on a white plate.View largerOpen
Rose Petal Turkish DelightGül Yapraklı LokumStore-bought
A single cube of chocolate-covered lokum on a white plate, with a corner cut away to reveal a vibrant green, pistachio-filled Turkish delight interior.View largerOpen
Chocolate-Covered Pistachio Turkish DelightÇikolata Kaplı Antep Fıstıklı LokumStore-bought
A neat flower-shaped arrangement of cocoa-dusted almond dragees on a white plate, with the center one cut open to reveal a whole roasted almond inside.View largerOpen
Almond Princess DrageeBademli Prenses DrajeStore-bought
A small pile of dark chocolate-coated raspberry dragees on a white plate, with one piece cut open to reveal a bright pink, textured raspberry center.View largerOpen
Raspberry DrageeAhududulu DrajeStore-bought
A flower-shaped arrangement of dark chocolate-coated pistachio dragees on a white plate, with the top pieces cut open to reveal bright green whole pistachios inside.View largerOpen
Pistachio DrageeAntep Fıstıklı DrajeStore-bought
A small pile of dark chocolate-coated orange dragees on a white plate, with one piece cut open to reveal a bright orange candied center.View largerOpen
Orange DrageePortakallı DrajeStore-bought
A single, delicate sphere of white, thread-like pişmaniye resting on a white plate, topped with a pinch of crushed green pistachios.View largerOpen
Cotton CandyPişmaniyeStore-bought
Two triangle-shaped muska (amulet) treats on a white plate, featuring a translucent, dark fruit-leather (pestil) wrapper folded over a dense, bright green pistachio filling.View largerOpen
Pistachio AmuletAntep Fıstıklı MuskaStore-bought
Small, dense squares of traditional Turkish nut pastes — pale almond, bright green pistachio, and brown walnut — neatly arranged on a white plate.View largerOpen
Nut PasteEzmeStore-bought
A round cocoa-dusted chocolate truffle on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Chocolate TruffleTrüf Çikolata
A chocolate bar molded as the Superman shield, dusted with cocoa powder.View largerOpen
ChocolateÇikolata

Patisserie

20 dishes
A single pale-orange French macaron — two smooth domed shells with ruffled feet — sandwiching a berry-pink filling, on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
French MacaronMakaron
A single white meringue piped into a tall swirled spiral dome, on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
MeringueBeze
A thick slice of mozaik pasta (mosaic cake) on a white plate, packed with crushed biscuits bound together by a rich, dark chocolate sauce.View largerOpen
Mosaic CakeMozaik PastaStore-bought
A small round tart with a golden shortcrust shell and a white-cream filling over dark chocolate, topped with two raspberries and two blackberries, on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Mini Tart
A single golden-brown coconut macaroon — a domed mound of baked shredded coconut — on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Coconut MacaroonHindistan Cevizli Makaron
A single large, heart-shaped, deeply caramelized, flaky palmier pastry resting on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
PalmierPalmiye
A round individual cheesecake with a golden fluted crust and a pale cream top, on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Cheesecake
A row of chocolate-glazed éclairs filled with cream, on a white plate on a wooden table.View largerOpen
ÉclairEkler
A single scoop of glossy chocolate ice cream in a clear glass bowl on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Turkish Chocolate Ice CreamÇikolatalı Dondurma
A dense, glossy scoop of white dondurma in a glass bowl.View largerOpen
Turkish Ice CreamDondurma
A rectangular chocolate parfait dusted with cocoa, topped with cocoa-dusted almonds and chocolate curls, on a white plate.View largerOpen
ParfaitParfe
A perfect, translucent white square of su muhallebisi heavily dusted with powdered sugar, sitting in a pool of pale pink rosewater syrup on a white plate.View largerOpen
Water PuddingSu MuhallebisiStore-bought
Fırın sütlaç in a clay bowl, top scorched deep brown, covered with crushed hazelnuts.View largerOpen
Baked Rice PuddingFırın Sütlaç
A bowl of aşure — garnished with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, and cinnamon.View largerOpen
Noah's PuddingAşure
An inverted cream caramel on a white plate, amber caramel running down its sides.View largerOpen
Cream CaramelKrem Karamel
A glass bowl of keşkül — a cross of ground pistachio, a coconut diamond at the center, and a flower of blanched almonds on top.View largerOpen
Almond Milk PuddingKeşkül
A rectangular slice of Turkish kazandibi (caramelized milk pudding) on a white plate, showcasing its signature dark, beautifully caramelized top.View largerOpen
Caramelized Milk PuddingKazandibiStore-bought
A rolled slice of tavuk göğsü on a white plate, dusted with cinnamon.View largerOpen
Chicken Breast PuddingTavuk Göğsü
A glass bowl of glossy krem şokola topped with shaved chocolate.View largerOpen
Chocolate PuddingKrem Şokola
A bowl of profiteroles — cream-filled choux puffs under a pour of warm chocolate sauce.View largerOpen
ProfiteroleProfiterol

Breakfast

13 dishes
A thick, square slice of Kürt böreği (also known as Küt böreği) on a carved wooden plate, showcasing its numerous thin, plain pastry layers heavily dusted with powdered sugar.View largerOpen
Powdered Sugar PastryKüt BöreğiStore-bought
A single golden-fried sigara böreği (cigar-shaped pastry) resting on a carved wooden plate, with melted white cheese and herbs visible at the open end.View largerOpen
Cheese RollsSigara BöreğiStore-bought
A thick, square slice of su böreği (water pastry) on a carved wooden plate, revealing multiple rippled layers of soft dough filled with white cheese and parsley, under a golden-brown, blistered crust.View largerOpen
Water PastrySu Böreği
A single traditional Izmir boyoz on a carved wooden plate, featuring a beautifully flaky, rounded puff pastry texture.View largerOpen
BoyozStore-bought
A large, golden-baked kol böreği (rolled pastry) shaped in a deep U-curve, resting on a metal cooling rack, featuring a very flaky and shiny egg-washed crust.View largerOpen
Rolled PastryKol Böreği
A single piece of golden, puffy pişi — Turkish fried dough — on a carved wooden plate.View largerOpen
Fried DoughPişi
A traditional Turkish copper pan (sahan) holding a perfectly fried sunny-side-up egg in the center, encircled by thin slices of seared pastırma (cured spiced beef) resting in rich cooking juices.View largerOpen
Eggs with PastirmaPastırmalı Yumurta
A traditional Turkish copper pan (sahan) holding a perfectly fried sunny-side-up egg in the center, encircled by round slices of fried sucuk (spicy Turkish sausage) releasing their vibrant red oil.View largerOpen
Eggs with SoujoukSucuklu Yumurta
A thick, toasted square slice of bread resting on a carved wooden plate, generously spread with smooth peanut butter and topped with five perfectly arranged banana slices.View largerOpen
Peanut Butter & Banana ToastFıstıklı Muzlu Sandviç
A perfectly grilled çikolatalı tost (chocolate toast) on a carved wooden plate, with deep horizontal grill marks on the golden-brown bread and warm, melted chocolate hazelnut spread oozing out the side.View largerOpen
Chocolate ToastÇikolatalı Tost
A classic Turkish karışık tost (mixed grilled toast) on a carved wooden plate, showing deep, crispy grill marks on the bread with melted cheese and sliced sucuk (Turkish sausage) oozing from the center.View largerOpen
Mixed Grilled ToastKarışık Tost
A glass bowl containing a hypnotic, swirled mixture of pale tahini and dark, rich grape molasses.View largerOpen
Tahini and MolassesTahin & Pekmez
A rolled log of thick, creamy pale-yellow kaymak — Turkish clotted cream — resting in a shallow pool of milk in a white rectangular dish, on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Clotted CreamKaymak

Breads

3 dishes
A golden-brown rectangular loaf of sourdough sandwich bread with a heavily textured, blistered top crust, resting on a wire cooling rack over a wooden surface.View largerOpen
Sourdough Sandwich BreadEkşi Mayalı Tost Ekmeği
An oval-shaped loaf of crusty sourdough white bread featuring a prominent, deeply charred ear and scoring mark, resting on a wire cooling rack over a wooden surface.View largerOpen
Sourdough White BreadEkşi Mayalı Beyaz Ekmek
A round boule of sourdough whole wheat bread with a dark, blistered crust and a single curved scoring mark, resting on a wire cooling rack over a wooden surface.View largerOpen
Sourdough Whole Wheat BreadEkşi Mayalı Tam Buğday Ekmeği

Drinks

12 drinks
A clear tumbler filled with distinct layers of frozen watermelon cubes, sliced strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, and blackberries, ready to be blended, sitting on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Mixed Berry & Watermelon SmoothieOrman Meyveli Karpuz Smoothie
A clear blender cup containing fresh milk and a half-peeled banana standing upright inside it, resting on a wooden table.View largerOpen
Banana MilkMuzlu Süt
A cold glass of milk mixed with carob molasses, giving it a creamy light brown color, with condensation on the outside of the glass.View largerOpen
Carob Molasses MilkKeçiboynuzu Pekmezli Süt
A glass of creamy, light brown milk coffee resting on a wooden surface.View largerOpen
Milk CoffeeSütlü Kahve
A tall glass of frothy ayran — the salted yogurt drink — with a foamy white top.View largerOpen
AyranRecipe
A tall glass of cloudy Turkish lemonade with a single mint leaf floating on top.View largerOpen
Turkish LemonadeLimonataRecipe
A tall glass of thick, pale-tan boza — the fermented millet drink — topped with cinnamon and roasted chickpeas, on a wooden table.View largerOpen
BozaStore-bought
A white cup of sahlep crowned with a cinnamon spiral, steam rising.View largerOpen
Sahlep
A white cup of dark hot chocolate dusted with cocoa, steam rising.View largerOpen
Hot ChocolateSıcak Çikolata
A tulip-shaped ince belli glass of dark amber Turkish tea on a glass saucer.View largerOpen
Turkish TeaÇay
A steaming cup of Turkish coffee with a fine foam, on a white saucer.View largerOpen
Turkish CoffeeTürk Kahvesi
A freshly brewed Americano coffee with a rich, golden crema, served in a classic white ceramic cup and saucer.View largerOpen
Americano