TOI ISTANBUL: Delicious Food, Good Cheer!

May 4, 2016

Update: TOI has closed up shop at its current location a couple of months ago and will be re-opening at a different location by the end of October 2016... I will share more info once TOI reopens. (October 20, 2016)

Update (January 13, 2016) TOI has re-opened at a new location in Kuruçeşme about a month ago, but I haven't had a chance to go yet so I do not yet have new info to share with you... but TOI is already getting very good reviews at its new home. 

Dear Readers,

Several weeks ago, specifically on April 13th, I attended a fantastic dinner at TOI Restaurant & Lounge organized by the Istanbul chapter of the France based Chaine de Rotisseurs (International Gastronomy Association),which I have been a member of since 2009.

I had every intention of writing about this excellent new modestly sized fine dining restaurant earlier but I had an unfortunate accident during a trip I made to Prague in early March and fractured my left elbow (didn't realize I had done this until 3 weeks after returning home!) and have recently mostly regained the use of my left arm after being in a cast for 3 weeks and sling for a week! In fact, I almost cancelled attending the dinner at TOI (which I had previously paid for) because I was still in a cast, but I'm so happy I didn't because I would have missed a lovely evening of delicious food & good cheer in the company of about 40 Chaine members!

TOI Restaurant & Lounge/Istanbul

TOI, which opened about 5 months ago, is located on the terrace of a suite hotel in Akaretler (as a point of reference, it is about 4-5 blocks from the posh W Hotel) with seating for about 38 people, a small bar and open kitchen with a Chef's Table seating area for 4 people. TOI has a sliding roof, so depending on weather conditions can be opened or closed.

TOI Restaurant & Lounge/Istanbul

TOI Restaurant & Lounge/Istanbul

We sat down for our 7 course dinner (with wine pairing) at around 8:30pm after mingling with our fellow members during the cocktail hour. During this time, I had a chance to catch up with Ismet Saz/owner & chef who I had met about 3 years ago when he and Chef Carlo Bernardini were in charge of Alavya and Fogo Restaurants at the then newly opened exclusive Alavya Hotel in the popular summer resort town of Alaçatı/Çeşme on the Aegean Coast in Turkey and a 45 minute drive from Izmir.

I already knew Ismet was a great chef having spent a lot of evenings dining at Fogo. Throughout his extensive culinary career in Turkey and abroad, he has worked with some of the best chefs in the world to include Gordon Ramsay, Julio Velaquez and Franco Paterno among others, so I knew we were in the treat this evening!

The theme for our special dinner was "cress" - in other words "plants cultivated for their edible leaves" and all our meals included different cress which really added to the flavors of the dishes! After this dinner, I have definitely become a "cress" fan!

So, let's begin... also all of these dishes are included in TOI's menu, but may vary slightly depending on whether the ingredients are in season.

TOI Restaurant & Lounge

Our delightful and delicious dinner started with "Artichoke Volute with Truffle Chips & Purple Amaranth Cress" (bottom left); "Foie Gras Terrine, Madagascar Black Pepper Bread, Berry Compot & Cilantro Cress" (bottom right); and "Homemade Duck Prosciutto, Golden Beets and Aci with Broccoli Cress". 

I totally enjoyed these 3 dishes, however, the one that I can still taste and want seconds and thirds of is the Duck Prosciutto - every bite was amazing!

Our 4th course was "Risotto with Grilled Scallop and Lemon with Watercress"...

I must admit I am not a fan of risotto - I usually find it too salty and heavy with lots of butter, etc. However, I can honestly say this is the best risotto I have tasted and kudos to Chef Saz! It was very light, not salty at all and the lemon zest added a wonderful kick to the dish, not to mention the scallops!

Although we had already had 4 courses, I couldn't believe that I didn't feel stuffed at all! So, I was more than prepared for our next dish which was "Red Mullet with Tomato Bread, Romaine Heart, Saffron Aioli & Basil Cress".

This was such a delicate dish! The red mullet was moist & juicy and cooked to perfection and not overladen with unnecessary sides! Simplicity at its best!

I guess you can say the "piece de résistance" of our dinner was the "Beef Wellington with Pommes Purée, Creamy Spinach, Beef Jus and Mustard Cress"!

Beef Wellington @ TOI Istanbul

I first took a picture of the mouthwatering delectable Beef Wellington straight out of the oven and couldn't wait to try it! I also tried to remember the last time I had it because I don't know of any other restaurant in Istanbul that prepares this dish and never came across it at restaurants during my travels throughout Europe, so it must have been when I lived in NYC (over 20 years ago!). My Beef Wellington was slightly overcooked which is not surprising when you prepare so many at the same time for 40 guests, but it was still delicious and very flavorful!

Last but not least - dessert!!!! Normally, I do not prefer to eat dessert right after a meal - especially during a 7-course dinner, but how can you say no to a very original dessert - "Sweet Goat Cheese and Beets Jelly, Date Pound Cake, Spicy Soft Cream & Honey Cress"?

TOI Restaurant & Lounge/Istanbul

Yummy! Yummy! Yummy is all I can say! Who would have thought you can add beets and spices to a dessert and make it light, creamy and luscious? 

To sum up - definitely go to Toi!!! I can definitely give this new restaurant high marks on taste and quality of ingredients used not to mention the presentation of the dishes! Unfortunately I have been to many restaurants (I'm sure you have too) where the presentation is amazing, but lacking in taste which is the more important component of the meal as far as I'm concerned.

I know I will definitely be going back to TOI again... and again... but I need to recuperate more before hitting the streets again to also try new places that have opened up that I haven't had a chance to try yet.

Thank you Chef Ismet Saz... you and your entire team are energetic, efficient, knowledgeable and friendly and a special thanks to your waiters for helping me cut my food when needed as I only had use of one arm!

Chef/Owner Ismet Saz & his kitchen tam at TOI Istanbul

Stay well,
Dani

Footnote: So what does "TOI" (pronounced toy) mean? Simply, although grammatically wrong... "Trust of Ismet" and I totally trust Ismet Saz's experience and food preparation techniques!

Additional Info on TOI Istanbul

• TOI is open daily between 5:00pm and 2:00am. From 5:00pm to 7:00pm Tapas is served and dinner service begins at 7:00pm.
• Reservations are necessary for a table or Chef's Table (max 4 people) in open kitchen. A la carte and tasting menus available.
• Address: Şair Nedim Caddesi No. 29 Akaretler, Istanbul Tel: (0212) 258 00 29 www.toiakaretler.com