Eftalya is never a place I would have actively chosen, with its uninspired exterior, and situated as it is, overlooking Arnavutkoy's churning cesspool.

However, as Saros is now closed and the two major fish restaurants in its place (Ali Adem, Ali Baba?) are DRY restaurants, we were swayed by our hunger and our need for alcohol to choose Eftalya. Glad that we did.

The ambience inside was better (if still unoriginal), and since we had no reservations, we were seated on the top floor, which has a nice bosphorus view. the service was impeccable. The fish was EXCELLENT, even the Levrek şiş, and generally i dont care for levrek. i even liked the turşu on the meze plates

We were also impressed by the toilets. Both men and women's lavvies are replete with cologne, hair gel, and a basket filled with toothbrushes (packaged) and toothpaste to allow patrons to freshen up. nice touch.

We will definitely be dining there again.

What are the prices like?
(I don't think the other restaurant is Ali Adem )

yeah, you're right. it's "adem baba"

i dont know prices as hubby paid. and of course there aren't menus, just platters of meze and suggestions of the fish in season... will find out.

yeah is fantastic (some of the best fish and meze that I have had in Istanbul) but is pricey (so is an unfair comparison to Adem Baba and Ali Baba). Try instead a comparison w/Kurucesme Balik, Park Fora, Rumeli Iskeli and Kiyi (my personal favourite).

A lot of the Istanbul elite hang out there, clogging the Arnavutkoy's narrow streets with their mirrored glass Range Rovers and making it more difficult for me to get home (until I discovered the wonderful Tekfen link road, that is)

You have a lovely husband (even better for not telling you the cost)

iskele i like, but dont think the food is worth it (although the view may be). park fora? eh. don't know the other.

where is kiyi?

no, perhaps comparing adem baba to eftayla isn't right. saros was a very simple place, too. but they had alcohol at least. what is the deal with not being granted liquor licenses?? they didnt want, or couldn't get???

I'll be going to nevizade sokak tonight for more fish (entertaining company). suggestions welcomed. have had some of the best fish ever in various restaurants on that street... and hubby got a bit of a lap dance from a 50 year old gypsy violinist!

[quote user="pollyanna" post="82132"]iskele i like, but dont think the food is worth it (although the view may be). park fora? eh. don't know the other.

where is kiyi?

no, perhaps comparing adem baba to eftayla isn't right. saros was a very simple place, too. but they had alcohol at least. what is the deal with not being granted liquor licenses?? they didnt want, or couldn't get???[/quote]

kıyı is a famous one in tarabya.. and on the same road there is also cundalı..

mavi balık is also a good alternative for meze and fish but the service was way below my expectations...

there was takanik (a fish rest (?) on a boat) at yenikoy area. do you remember that? a few years ago they didn't let any fish rest to be on the sea (!) so takanik serves in yenikoy as a real rest lilke adem baba... no alcohol...

A number of points here:

Kiyi is in Tarabya. It is pricey but is in my humbly opinion the best fish restaurant in Istanbul. Ask Rauf about Park Fora and Dekolte about Kurucesme Balik.

Charly was mentioning some nasty rumours about Taxim bar operators finding it difficult to obtain new liquor licences. This is the only example (and it is far from proven- as I do not know what hold national politicians have over municipalities who grant these licences) of the AKP carrying out pro-Islamist policy by stealth.

On Nevizade I like Imroz (which has a reputation for fish meze) but slightly further away I like Refik (which is also known for fish) for its artsy black exterior and crowd and proximity to Babylon. Imroz has a redoubtable abla guarding the male toilet who may do lap dances on request.

Rafik is good. and there is the added perk of getting him to sit down and tell stories while you eat.

Eftalya was about 70ytl per person (everyone drinking)

went to Nevizade sok and ate at Nevizade restaurant last night. Would have tried Imroz had I known. Nevizade was about 60ytl per person (with alot more drinking). Better atmosphere than Eftayla. Eftalya had a few more original dishes (and a better loo). Everything else comparable.

Park Fora is okay but nothing to get excited about.

Refik I like but a bit on the pricey side for what you get. Esp if he doesn't sit and have a chat with you!

Kuruçeşme Balık I wonder about. I recall a few months ago we went to that area for dinner, were starving, couldn't find a table at any restaurant on that road, yet Kuruçeşme Balık was completely empty...as if people were staying away for good reason, perhaps?

Tekanik....i stay away from restaurants that don't boast running water in their food prep area.

I will definitely try Kıyı.

I also like the restaurant behind Beşiktaş fish bazaar (forget the name)

SET-I found this place to be very reasonably priced and have not had any nasty suprises when the bill arrives. I can especially recommend their fish 'kofte'. They also don't bring unwanted dishes etc. 40 Ytl

On the other hand, in Arnavutkoy there is a small fish restaurant next to where PUPA used to be (The Kurucesme side). I can't recall the name but it looks like a small cafe. It is on the Bosphorus side of Eylulist. I have been badly burnt here twice looking for a quick bite. For some reason having a simple fish meal there has cost up to 80 YTL p.p. In explicabe for such a low key place.

Marina restaurant in Kurucesme is also a good bet for consistent quality. Its not very cheap but try their fish soup as an alternative.

SET is another good fast serving fish restaurant in Kirecburnu.. I also like the service and the friendly atmosphere there.. and yes the prices are reasonable too..

[quote user="batgirl" post="82212"]SET is another good fast serving fish restaurant in Kirecburnu.. I also like the service and the friendly atmosphere there.. and yes the prices are reasonable too..[/quote]

SET is by far my favourite fish-restaurant in Istanbul. Consistent quality food, a huge choice of mezes, very good fish and the bill is always a positive surprise.....

On top you have the view on the Black Sea gate, the only place where Istanbul visually ends that I know off.

Kiyi is too expensive for what they serve: bill was 490 YTL for 4 people (incl. 2 bottles of basic Turkish white wine)

Kurucesme Balik tried to serve me a lobster once which I certainly hadn't ordered (and of course did not accept) and Park Fora I had a fish once that was clearly off. I recommend the Pafuli (also in Kurucesme) especially if you have a Black Sea Turk with you.

Also had good fish in Bebek Balikci and at Doga Balik (in Cihangir).

Kiyi is too expensive for what they serve: bill was 490 YTL for 4 people (incl. 2 bottles of basic Turkish white wine)

WTF did you eat ... caviar?