643553 Mon Aug 10 13:55:28 -0700 2009 6 52 Turkey/Greece 0 4934078 Visiting Istanbul in a couple weeks and looking for a dinner spot off the Bosphorous. My plan is to take one of the commuter ferries up-river, which is a lovely trip, and get off somewhere for dinner. I've made reservations at Muzadechanga, but I think it's too difficult to get to/fro and ideally looking for someplace less expensive. Any thoughts? I'm traveling with my parents who are definitely not into the "scene", i.e., Reina and co. will not be enjoyable for them. Thanks. Mon Aug 10 13:55:28 -0700 2009 21255 Hungry Karen 1 4935539 For a comfortable very authentic fish dinner right on the water try Ismet Baba in Kuzguncuk (Asian side). I love it there. Its got a very old-style neighborhoody feel and reliably good food. here's a link to a review of Ismet Baba: http://istanbuleats.com/2009/06/ismet-baba-great-fish-for-goodfellas/ For something a bit less formal and a bit more contemporary see the chatter about Abracadabra. The food really is excellent and its not too far up the Bos (Arnavutkoy) and much less expensive than MuzedeChanga. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/618994 Also, one of the better fish lunch spots just opened a terrace overlooking the Old City and Golden Horn. Its right in Karakoy in the Persembe Pazari. The place is called Grifin and it supposedly has the same kitchen as the lunch spot, Tarihi Karakoy Balikcisi. Depending on where you are staying this might be more convenient. Tue Aug 11 01:43:57 -0700 2009 4934078 242937 antman 2 4939282 Thank you! Abracadabra looks great. I assume Arnavutkoy is accessible by the ferry? A friend recommended a lunch spot located in the back of the Karakoy Fish Market... http://rwapplewannabe.wordpress.com/2009/06/14/unknown-karakoy-fish-market-balikcisi-istanbul/ Do you know it? Wed Aug 12 07:11:04 -0700 2009 4935539 21255 Hungry Karen 3 4939673 you can get to Arnavutkoy with a boat but taxi via the coastal road is easy. IDO just started a water taxi but you have to organize it in advance. check their website for more details (in English). from the dive spots in karakoy i prefer Akin Balik but that is possibly out of habit. I have eaten at Furran and the food was just about the same as Akin. its hard to go wrong with those places. Akin serves alcohol though, I am not sure if Furran does. just up the hill right by the Galata tower is a place called Furreyya which has an incredible Fish wrap on a toasted lavash with caramelized onions and pomegranate extract. thats an incredible quick snack. Wed Aug 12 08:50:12 -0700 2009 4939282 242937 antman 4 4941002 Do they take reservations? Wed Aug 12 14:46:33 -0700 2009 4939673 21255 Hungry Karen 5 4945629 does who take reservations? Abracadabra? yes. Grifin? yes. Fri Aug 14 00:21:19 -0700 2009 4941002 242937 antman 1 4939868 I just had dinner at Musadechanga on Sunday evening. It is easy to get a taxi to and from the museum. When you are ready to depart just ask them to call you a cab and they will have it waiting at the entrance where the shuttle drops you off. The view is beautiful, the waitstaff attentive, english speaking and wine knowledgable The food was great, and if you didn't know better you would have thought you were in Manhattan. For something a little more authentically Turkish you might try Yesil Ev (www.istanbulyesilev.com). It is in one of the wooden mansions with a wonderful garden setting. While the location is in the tourist area, this place is far from being a tourist destination - not as continental as Muzadechanga - but wonderful none the less. Wed Aug 12 09:39:42 -0700 2009 4934078 282844 phaase