I was wondering if you guys can recommend a good French style Bistro in Beyoğlu, a dark atmospheric place with candles and nice wine? Most of the places i know are a bit more Mehane like and looking for something a bit more laid back than that. Have come across this place which looks interesting http://www.peripetie.com

Is Kay's in Cihangir still open? That was bistro-y, I recall.

perripettie is my place since my university days:)) still love to go there occasionally. I can't say the years cos it's too many

Yes Kays is still there!

Running through some places in my head but the names are escaping me:

e.g. This may be Peri but it's an old Istanbul rest/bar in the locked passage between Kucukparmak and Buyukparmak - small door.
e.g. You must have checked out French Street - I mentioned a place before but can never remember the name - walk down the stairs past the water feature, turn left and on your right there's a door/lift to a top floor restaurant...terrasse, art something... http://istanbulkolay.com/yeme-icme/lezz ... rasse.html ...............also L'Eclipse
e.g. The first place in the Tünel courtyard garden can be cute if you go upstairs. Romantic area and not too busy. Keve???
e.g. Maybe check out Nardis upstairs.

Wow. I never knew you guys have a Beyoğlu in Ankara.

Yes Charly, all names are correct. Artist Teracce in French street and Keve in Tunel courtyard:)

Here's a write-up on KeVe from Yahoo.

KeVe
Tünel Tünel Geçidi 10

Is this the most atmospheric bar in the city? In a plant-filled Belle Époque arcade just opposite the Tünel station, KeVe is invariably full of thirty-somethings who've just been to a gallery opening on stiklal and need a drink before moving on to see a new arthouse release at the cinema. The twinkling lights and wrought-iron tables add mightily to the atmosphere.

[quote user="utabe" post="110792"]Wow. I never knew you guys have a Beyoğlu in Ankara.[/quote]

We have a Gaziosmanpasa, and an Ulus. And they're almost the exact opposites of yours.

I don't have a Gaziosmanpasa, or Ulus, and I don't want one, to be honest, even if they're opposites.

Thanks for the tips. I went for Perripettie and was nice, quiet, good atmos and did the job i was looking for will also try out some of the other places in future. I know the French Street place you mean, i like the terrace there, have never been into the Tunel garden places, normally head deeper into Tunel.

Tunel courtward was better before and this Neve place bigger but I think they just don't get enough business. Had a look last night before going over to Otto Sentral. Don't recommend that place for anything romantic! There is a funny narrow bar in Tunel next to Asmalimescit Balikcisi, which is always dark and moody - and normally empty.

Was in Brasserie 'La Brise' last night - bar & seperate restaurant (I've not eaten there yet but someone I know very well has and says the steak is to die for) The bar is quite small and the prices are pretty good. It is the same guy who owns the North Shields franchise. They had Aecht Schlenkerla Rauchbier (Original Schlenkerla Smokebeer) from Bamberg. Bloody gorgeous. A real treat. It is in all the NS pubs too, I was told.

Address is: Asmalımescit 28 Beyoğlu (0212-2444846)

Rated 5/6 by Time Out Istanbul.

Emma and I ate there on Friday night and I have to say I wasn't impressed.

1. They screwed up our order. If you have menus in French then your waiters should at least know the names of the dishes in that language. In any case to hammer the point home we pointed to our selections on the menu and they still got it wrong.

2. After a good starter of parma ham and figs (shared because they didn't bring my salad) I then got the tarragon salad for a main and Emma got the NY Strip in place of the fillet she ordered.

My salad was literally only iceberg lettuce covered in dressing with half a dozen tarragon leaves on top. Whoopee doo.

Emma's strip (which seams to be the signature dish) looked the part but was tough as old boot leather. So much so that it was inedible. Emma ordered it served blue so I'd hate to think how tough it would be when well done. It's friday night and it's your signature dish - it's still crap. Not a good sign.

Maybe it was just a bad night but I'd rate it 3/6 on the basis of our meal.

Sounds disappointing Simon. Will have to try it out for myself. What were the prices like?