Part 2 of 2 : Istanbul,Turkey

I made it back! *happy dance*

Every time I make it back to the blog is an achievement unlocked. *Gamers talking*

So many views on the first part of this post made me want to do this last part and give it all to you guys.

Just wondering, why readers don't leave comments? Maybe a thank you or maybe that wasn't good enough? anything? Lol

Lets talk more about food in Istanbul. Remember, most of the food comes from Ottoman Empire, fancy, isn't it?

Traditional Breakfast:

This is a traditional turkey breakfast! After I got my plate and apple tea, I was thinking, is there anything more? But this is it! Can you see any carbs? And it was a challenge to eat it all.

Fresh tomatoes, cucumber slices and olives.
Boiled egg

Selection of deli meat

Olive paste.

Butter.

Selection of fresh cheese.

And a nutty spread, I don't remember exactly what that was.

Make sure do order the Ayran - the yogurt drink or apple tea if you are a tea person.

Turkistan Asevi - Turkistan Diner:

Miniature buildings outside the diner

Turkistan Diner is a great family style restaurant and looks like it is being operated as a family business. I loved the ambiance, it was little dark but comfortable. Like you are guests of some Turkish family who is very hospitable and cooks delicious food. We noticed the restaurant because of the miniature buildings silhouette they have on the outside of the restaurant. 

I am a die heart fan of Mantu also called as Manti, dim sum or dumplings. This place have some amazing Mantu served with a red spicy sauce and yogurt sauce.

Marriage soup? Lol, not that marriage isn't a soup. But this is an actual soup with a yogurt base, chickpeas, potatoes and some herbs. In the winter it was soup for the soul :D

Hummus

Marriage Soup

Mantu / Manti / Dumplings

Have a look at their website for more information and more pictures!

www.turkistanasevi.com

Get trolled for ice-cream!

Too bad I lost my backup and cannot share the picture of the most TRICKIEST ice-cream on the face of earth! If you have seen those videos on YouTube where Turkish Ice-cream vendors are trolling people then you know what I am talking about.

They are really skilled tricksters! But the ice-cream is something to bite into, yes its so chewy with a rich stretchy texture. I over heard on the internet that they use a herb called as Salep which makes it stretchy.

I got trolled at Taksim Square!

Taksim Square

Chicken in your pudding!

If you are like my husband and someone told you there is chicken in your pudding, you  might never want to try it. And if you are like me, you would give it a try anyway! 

Chicken Pudding

It is believed that this is one of the dessert from Ottoman empire. The chicken breast is cooked and then shredded into very fine pieces and then they use it in the pudding mixture. Honestly, if I didn't know I would have never guessed that the texture in my pudding is the chicken. It was like any other rice pudding.

Hot Drinks:

Turkish Coffee

Sahlep - Creamy hot drink with sprinkled cinnamon powder

A little more.....

There will be a lot of road side small cafeterias, not all of them are good, they have huge variety of food but not so good!

Tempting?

Well, that's pretty much it for the food part. You may enjoy few pictures below

View from Bosphorus Cruise

Hippodrome

Down the street 

It was really cold for me!

Tulip festival and rain

Graffiti at Taksim Square

More Graffiti at Taksim Square

Yes, the love grows!

And here we are!

Well, well, we are done. And c'mon be a sport and leave some comments .. lol

Enjoy the video of live music at Taksim Square, there is live music everywhere, literally!

New Venture: An Etsy Shop

Let it snow! Let it snow!

 I know I know , its been a long time, decades maybe?

But, I have came back from a long journey of raising a toddler and moving from Saudi to Emirates to Pakistan to Canada! Finally, we are in Canada! *yay* for landing to a country where my husband feels like home. And for me its a huge transition, from Middle East to North America...woaah!

I have few food posts including our trip to Turkey, the country is under terrorists attack and its so sad. Such a beautiful country and hospitable people <3 May Allah bless them with peace along with other countries - Ameen!

So, here I am on a new venture, opening up an Etsy shop. Since, Etsy is giving 20 free listings to start-up. I believe there is no harm and no loss in free listings :P

I have always loved to make handmade things and in past 2 years I have gotten some good skills on crochet. So, my shop will pretty much comprise on fabric arts; crochet, weaving, tapestry etc! Don't be surprised if you see other stuff too :D

Here is the link: https://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ChicnBliss

Feel free to support me, I don't mind some support and shout outs for my small start-up.

Well, I have been wondering to change my food only blog "The Bun Kabab" to food and lifestyle or food and crafts...hmm? That is still under consideration though.

Hopefully, will see you back soon !

Tata <3

The Noodle House - Riyadh

Me and husband have been planning to try out "the noodle house" since long. Its been ages since we had a hearty Asian food, last was P.F. Chang's in Dubai. The noodle house in Riyadh is in this posh Centria Mall on the top floor. We were greeted by some very cheerful fellas, some were at the live station behind the glass and some around the entrance. I was looking for a table with a view to keep my 7 months old son busy, atleast I hoped so!

The restaurant wasn't much crowded and we were seated within few minutes and the baby chair was placed with no delay. Our server was excellent at his job, with the smiling attitude and all the answers regarding dishes and the ingredients (Yes, we ask about the main ingredients sometimes)

Unfortunately, the glass view couldn't keep my son busy and I got very little chance to click pictures of our main course. But here is what we ordered:

Kung boo chicken buns: Nothing more than ordinary, dim sums at Durrat China are far more appetizing. Kung boo, tasted like frozen dim sums straight out of freezer and microwaved! The filling was a bit mushy *sad face* I freaking love dim sums but sigh!

Shanghai Beef Noodles: These noodles are not so dry and do not have any curry! Hence, I liked them! Note: Did not loooovvvee them. The beef was perfectly cooked. There was no need to chew any piece of meat extra hard or spit it out. You know what I mean. The taste was good, seemed like right proportion of Asian sauces (soy sauce, oyster etc)

Chilli Prawns: Damn! These prawns made me happy...I wished for more and more. Perfectly cooked, rightly spiced and the little bit of crispness outside. Only if I wouldn't have to share it with my husband..lol

Egg fried rice: Again Durrat China serves better :/

And my favorite...

Fried Ice cream: I am going back to this house just for their fried ice cream, beside chilli prawns. This was the best dessert I ever had (maybe exaggerating a bit). But oh my! Vanilla ice cream, coated with nuts and then vermicelli, fried until golden! Splashed with a bit of caramel not much just little. From hot and crispy outer shell to creamy cold inside. Yum yum!

Well for the drinks I do not remember exactly but I ordered something with lychee and it was an excellent blend to enjoy with our food.

Location: Centria Mall, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Food: 5/10

Service: 9/10

Ambiance: 8/10

Price range: 59-120

Our bill was around 400 Riyals!

Brunch at Teayana - Jeddah

Hazelnut Latte

Teayana - all about teas! That name caught my tea-full desires to give them a try. So finally, last Friday me and Mr. Husband went to their branch at the corniche. Luckily, we got our table beside the window and I must say the view was amazing! After scanning the menu for 3 times , I wanted almost everything related to tea ! Anyways, as I am just another human being and not an alien I ended up ordering a Hazelnut latte and Lahem (meat) Manakeesh. My husband ordered a tex-mex sandwich, it came along with huge potato chunks and lettuce. The sandwich was toasted well, cheddar was oozing out and the meat was tender as it should be (lucky guy). My Manakeesh as disappointing though, I have tried many in Dubai as well and it was nothing very special or you might say I have had better. Mayonnaise, tomato and meat were not that good for the price. And I simply hate it when my first meal of the day is disappointing.

Well, their hazelnut latte lifted up my spirits, it was nutty, not very sweet, their was a distinguish taste of black tea and the best part is their cup size and the way it is designed. You may hold the cup and not feel like your hands are burning but the smoking heat from the tea will tell you that your tea is hot!

My disappointment didn't end with the Manakeesh, it grew more after I realized my serving plate was CHIPPED! I mean come on!!! I am not paying you a hefty amount of money so that you serve me in a chipped plate...that is simply wrong. I would have not complained about it if I were in some roadside restaurant. I simply decided to enjoy the view and have my tea (oh yeah don't forget to stir your tea) .

After we were done with the meal, my husband wanted to have a dessert, but they said they won't serve until prayers are over. So, we just called for the cheque and took off.

My advice: Go try their tea but do not expect much from the food menu. And next time I am going to have tea before sunset, if I get the same table!

Their website: http://www.teayana.com/