I have frequently voiced my opinion that bistronomy culture will give people the opportunity to experience the high-end restaurants’ menus in the next-gen restaurants’ cozier ambiance. I also think that it is beyond question the local street food that will make these new restaurants stand out among the others.
Basta Street Food in Kadıköy, Istanbul, is a project that exemplifies this trend excellently! Two chefs at the helm were trained in culinary arts and gained their experience through the stressful days and sleepless nights they spent while working for strictly-disciplined Michelin-starred restaurants.
One of them is Kaan Sakarya, whom I know from Nicole, my most favorite fine-dining restaurant in Istanbul, and the other chef is Derin Arıbaş who were trained by world-famous chefs. The food is served in a small kiosk-like area, yet Basta’s kitchen team has gotten bigger since its opening joining forces with several bright young chefs from the MSA (the Culinary Arts Academy).
In my previous review of Basta, I elaborated on its delectable wraps, palate-thriller humus, and the desserts, vanilla-flavored sütlaç and Paris-Brest éclair filled with pralin, which look irresistible even if you are full.
Lamb burger (kuzu burger) I tried on my last visit is another recipe that proves my taste buds can’t be wrong. Home-made brioche buns clamp down on a lamb patty that is cooked to a turn and locked in all the juice and topped with eggplant aioli, grilled onion and pickle….
Of course, it would be meaningless to compare it with the taste I can find only in the hometown of hamburger, I mean, the U.S. Given this fact; all the ingredients were carefully chosen and nicely put together to become a local food that greatly appeals to Turkish palates.
Dear Kaan and Derin are two hard-working chefs who strive to do what they enjoy the most in life and present the result to their visitors in a perfectionist manner. I’ve been a huge supporter of their venture since its first day, and I pay a visit to Basta whenever I can do during my Istanbul escapades. The restaurant is a perfect example of how street food, which has not sadly found its rightful place in Turkish cuisine, can turn into a masterpiece in the hands of trained people. For this reason, Basta deserves more than one visit!
Bon appétit and enjoy the taste of life…
Caferağa Mahallesi, Sakız Sk. No:1, 34710 Kadıköy
İstanbul, TURKEY
+90 216 414 08 65
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