TURKISH DELIGHTS IN MANDAUE
The beginnings of Turkish cuisine is as colorful and flavorful as its dishes. With so many influences from its neighboring countries, this high-acclaimed cookery has wowed many generations with its wonderful marriage of spices and interesting flavors; it’s only going to take Cebuanos for a gastronomic ride.
When looking for authentic Mediterranean flavors with superb quality and that is also easy on the pocket, Istanblue Turkish Resto Lounge is the best place to be. With its simple yet classy interiors that’s fit for an
effendi (a man of social standing in an eastern Mediterranean or Arab country), a relaxed and sociable ambience and, most importantly, mouth-watering and delicious food, it’s easy to label this restaurant one of the best in town.
Opened last Feb. 14, the restaurant is owned by Rafet Kizmaz and Clarize GalangKismaz. It was Rafet’s dream to open a Turkish restaurant in Cebu because he kept coming here for vacation but couldn’t find a Turkish restaurant anywhere.
“We’re trying to serve authentic Turkish cuisine because Filipinos, especially the Cebu
crowd, is not familiar with it yet. We’re trying to introduce that to the market since it’s one-ofa-kind. It’s not only a shawarma place, we’re more than that,” Clarize said.
Shawarma or Doner Durum is just one of the many dishes Turkish cuisine has to offer. There’s a trunk full of flavors yet to be opened from this colorful cuisine. Start off the meal with appetizers; one can never go wrong with Mieze Trio Plate, a combination of humus (chickpea puree with tahini and olive oil),
patates slatasi (potato saland with beef salami, green peas and carrots) and yogurtlu havoc (olive oil glazed carrots with yogurt, herbs and garlic).
Babagannush, which is a char-grilled eggplant mash with garlic and herbs, is also a staple in many Turkish dining tables. Midye Dolma, which are stuffed mussels with aromatic rice, pine nuts and currants, is a famous street food in Istanbul and also a great appetizer.
The Doner Salad could also be a lovely start for one’s meal. It’s a light mix of crisp greens and fresh vegetables with doner beef and dressed with pomegranate or lemon vinegar sauce.
Now on to the main dishes, which definitely give explosions of flavors in one’s mouth. Most notable of all are the Lamb Steak and Hunkar Begendi.
The Lamb Steak is a grilled lamb shoulder with potato wedges and onion salad. This piece of fine meat that’s grilled to perfection melts a beautiful marriage of flavors in every bite.
Hunkar Begendi, or Sultan’s Delight, is a dish fit for an emperor. Though it looks simple, its flavors are complex yet a pleasure for the taste buds. Hunkar Begendi is a garlic mashed grilled eggplant dish topped with tenderloin beef and Turkish sauce.
Aside from the wide array of affordable and scrumptious dishes, Istanblue also offers quality Turkish beverages like teas and coffee—best enjoyed with delicious Turkish delights. They are also a hookah lounge with a variety of shisha flavors for everyone to enjoy.
Istanblue Turkish Resto Lounge is located at the Ground Floor, City Times Square 2, Mandaue City. Be served like a sultan from 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. on Sundays to Thursdays and 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. from Fridays to Saturdays.