indoor picnic

How brunch usually worked at my friends studio apartment in Beyoglu, Istanbul.

look up in istanbul

Ottoman bank meets Ottoman post office in the old Istanbul district of Eminonu.
Photograph taken September 2012.

‘menemen’ in Istanbul

Classic breakfast in old Istanbul.
Menemen can be found all over this city and is eaten by all classes of people, from up market cafes, to local eateries and canteens. And of course, at home, where it’s a staple breakfast specialty consisting of gooey egg, onion, green peppers, tomato and over dosages of black pepper, paprika and cumin, sometimes topped with sharp and salty kashar cheese. Along with fresh crusty bread and black Turkish tea, this takes me back to my morning strolls and weekly breakfasts at work during the Summer – back to  a time when this photograph was taken at Cafe Vodina in my favorite Istanbul suburb of Balat. Sigh.

istanbul

You will come to learn how much I love this city. Photograph of the Maiden’s Tower was taken two trips ago in December 2011