Rumeli Hisari
Where the old fort is which was built in 1452 to hold dodgy concerts in the summer time. I got offered a free ticket to see Tarkan last summer on my birthday but stayed at home as I found cutting my toe nails more entertaining.
Also after the fort there are many cafes and tea gardens which offer brunch and are packed on the weekends if there is a glimpse of sunshine. Iskele restaurant is good and expensive but watch out for the otopark mafia. EiT'ers can sometimes be seen swanning around the gloria jeans cafe or domjoms (spelling)
Baltalimani
Nothing to see here! please pass through as quick as possible and do NOT stop! Failing to do so could run the risk of you getting run over opposite the bone hospital, shot in the Japanese park or "accidentally" tripping into the lush warm waters of Baltalimani creek.
Emirgan
great place to unwind during an afternoon and smoke nargile and sip tea in Cinaralti which is next to the boring sabanci museum (unless you like art then its fantastic) but the muzedechanga is an ok place to eat.
In the summer time you will see loads of kids on the sidewalk jumping into the Bosporus and plenty of old men looking like beached whales.
Emirgan park is worth a look just to see the Sari and Pempe kosk which have fine menus in their restaurants.

There are 2 places I like in Rumelihisari: Sade Kahve and Arka Bahce Sade Kahve has a great view over the Bosphorus and is veeeery crowded at the weekend. Arka Bahce is high up and has this hippy atmosphere, relaxing music and a great garden. It's blossoming now

Was at the Emirgan woods yesterday for the first time. Thought it was a nice place to get away for a little while, although by the time we got there (after I stuffed up with the public transport) I was starving and the only option was the overpriced Sari Kosk. The Pembe Kosk was closed, although I'm sure that would have been no cheaper. I had expected a tea garden or something, but no such luck. Ended up getting some pretty good gozleme from the ladies on the street outside (3ytl). Yes, Starman, the kosks are nice, and they have planted a stack of flowers for the spring so it's a nice place to head for when you want a change from strolling along the Bos. Loads of picnic tables there, so I plan to head there with my packed lunch next time, although I suspect that it gets pretty crowded in the summer.

Rumeli Hisarı:
Arka bahçe, great little cafe to sit and relax, this place makes you forget about anything.
A couple of years ago it was a lesbian hangout place, now it's a make-out place.
I obviously don't go there anymore, since it changed into a make-out place.

Yes, Arka Bahce is very nice. They have hammocks and bean bags, and there is a little fountain in the garden. Bit pricey though. Tip: Look for staircases, as they have cosy little terraces and balconies.

Once there, you could also pretend to be a student/teacher at Bosphorus Uni. Wave the guard at the nearby back entrance, and enjoy the beautiful campus. There is a row of benches overlooking the Bosphorus that tops everything I have seen so far. They have a student cafeteria (the name says it all), an alumni club (where you can dine and wine as an outsider aswell when you reserve) and the lunch place for professors. If you work there, or if you look super strange, super clever, super yabanci or all together, you just queue up at lunchtime for ok food (this is of course a secret trick, so please do not tell anyone).

[quote user="RSA" post="84719"]Rumeli Hisarı:
Arka bahçe, great little cafe to sit and relax, this place makes you forget about anything.
A couple of years ago it was a lesbian hangout place, now it's a make-out place.
I obviously don't go there anymore, since it changed into a make-out place.[/quote]

Still havent managed to get there, but as the weather appears to getting better, and its 2 minutes from my work, think I fancy chilling out on a beanbag and sod the expense. Plus I'm guessing its empty mid-late afternoon?? So absolutely no chance of getting picked up or made out by/with a lesbian. Or gay or straight for that matter.....................

[quote user="RSA" post="84719"]Rumeli Hisarı:
Arka bahçe, great little cafe to sit and relax, this place makes you forget about anything.
A couple of years ago it was a lesbian hangout place, now it's a make-out place.
I obviously don't go there anymore, since it changed into a make-out place.[/quote]
Are we to assume from that that you were more successful before it changed?

No, he was successful before he changed !