The Travelling Gourmet in ISTANBUL

Story and photos by Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet TM

The intrepid and indomitable Travelling Gourmet visits the city that spans TWO continents, Europe and Asia…to enjoy…

MONUMENTAL & MARVELLOUS views of the mysterious & mighty Bosphorus…

from my suite in the luxurious Four Seasons Hotel on the Bosphorus. The beautiful breakfast buffet here is also very, very good with Turkish Cheese, figs, tart blackberries, Turksih Omelette and Beef salami plus hot STRONG Turkish coffee and Simet, the Turkish answer to the humble bagel. It is so aromatic…especially when toasted and it is studded with thousands of sesame seeds. Perfect with Turkish “Feta” cheese and Turkish flower honey! Yum! Yum! I love Simet!

Terrific Turkish Airlines!

My flight here on one of the world’s best airlines, namely multi-award winning Turkish Airlines, was excellent. The plane arrived 40 minutes ahead of schedule! I had a wickedly wonderful dinner and breakfast on board the A330 aircraft…and slept like happy a baby on my super comfy sleeper seat in Business Class that transforms in an instant into a bed with just the touch of a button. The Sky Chef practically cooks the food for you..all GOURMET food and lovely wines too! The Sky Chef himself in full Chef’s whites rolls out the dessert trolley and cheese board for your personal selection at 38, 000 feet! OMG! Flying on Turkish Airlines with such superlative service and cuisine is to LIVE for! The Travelling Gourmet TM NEVER EVER says that moronic asinine line beloved of brain dead wannabe food writers which is…wait for it..to die for. WTH! When you are dead you feel and taste nothing! Beyond stooopid. Must not digress, flying on this SIX Star airline is to kill for!

http://www.turkishairlines.com

Fabulous Four Seasons on the Bosphorus…

The rooms and suites here are extremely well appointed and super comfy. It came as no suprise to me because this is a luxury 5 Star grand hotel. At the touch of a button by the bed, the vertical blinds go up a la 007…to expose a magnificent view of the mighty Bosphorus and all manner of ships and cargo vessels criss-crossing the mighty seaway. The staff are also very well trained and efficient and super good at anticipating your every need. This superb historic building was a 19th Century Ottoman Palace for the Sultans..need we say more…

I just returned to the Four Seasons after a stroll to the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel a short stroll away. However, I still prefer the Four Seasons after my Recon of the Kempinski…

Four Seasons Hotel Istanbul at The Bosphorus

Ciragan Cad, No, 28

34349 Istanbul

Besiktas TURKEY

Tel: 90 (212) 381 40 40

After a light lunch I shall be going on a cruise on the Bosphorus…which reminds me of that classic movie “From Russia with Love”, starring Sean Connery as Commander James Bond 007. There was a scene in that movie where Bond and his paramour take a leisurely cruise on the Bosphorus pretending to be harmless tourists…but actaully planning a covert mission.

I also stayed at the luxurious Park Hyatt Istanbul which is in the super posh district where there are all manner of luxury goods shops, and the restaurant and night club called “Frankies” which is really good. Nisantasi district is the “posh” part of Istanbul for high end luxury shopping. In Frankies, which is just a stroll away…the cuisine, wines and exotique cocktails are as beautiful as the hostesses…where are my heart attack pills???

OMG j’adore ISTANBUL and Turkish Airlines! Forget british/bloody airways/awful…fly Turkish Airlines for Turkish Delights in the sky! Ich leibe es sehr!

PARK HYATT ISTANBUL – MACKA PALAS

Tesvikiye, Bronz Sokak No. 4 Sisli

Istanbul, Turkey, 34367

Tel: + 90 212 315 1234

About thetravellinggourmet

As a renowned Travel, Food & Wine Writer he has travelled the world in a keen & indomitable pursuit of exotic delicacies & fine wines. His articles have been published in over 20 prestigious publications, both local & international. Dr. Lim has toured and trained in Wine Evaluation & Oenology in most of the world's top wine producing areas from France to Australia. The Travelling Gourmet says, "Gastronomy has no frontier. These are the gastronomic voyages of The Travelling Gourmet. My unending mission. To explore strange new cuisines, to seek out new wines and new culinary experiences, to boldly go where no gourmet has gone before...." Have pen, will travel. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any other information storage & retrieval system, without permission from Dr. Michael Lim The Travelling Gourmet and/or MSN. Material may be works of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents may be true but may also be products of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance whatsoever to actual person or persons, either dead or living, events, or locales may be entirely and purely coincidental and unintentional. No part of this website may be used to villify others or for criminal purposes. Interests: Travel, Food, Wines, Cooking, Wine Appreciation, Parachuting, Languages, Music, Reading, Swimming, Hunting, Ballet, Fencing, Archery, Anthropology and more... The Travelling Gourmet is a copyrighted trademark. All rights and photos reserved. No part may be reproduced without permission.

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