Sometimes when you are travelling, it involves some sort of life celebration. Perhaps a honeymoon, a wedding anniversary or a special birthday – there are times when you just want to create a moment to remember. When that travel bug strikes and it incorporates a special date, we try to organise something special for the night. Here’s our review of Mikla Restaurant.
In April 2016 our travel took us travelling through Dubai, Turkey and Greece. We were scheduled to be in Istanbul on our wedding anniversary and Josie was able to secure a table for two at world-renowned celebrity chef, Mehmet Gürs’s stunning Mikla Restaurant.
Mehmet Gürs is partner and owner of 19 restaurants and cafes around the world. Mikla Restaurant would be one of the jewels in his culinary crown. The restaurant is located at the top of the Marmara Pera Hotel at Meşrutiyet Caddesi 15 34430, Beyoğlu, İstanbul and features stunning views and incredible food. Mikla is currently ranked number 56 in this year’s annual “World’s Best Restaurants list” which is truly a remarkable achievement for Mehmet and Mikla.
Upon entry onto the top floor of the Marmara Peru Hotel, you are welcomed with a large display case of all the beautiful wines Mikla has on offer. At the reservation desk you will be met by the restaurant’s Maitre d’. Once inside you are shown to their casual bar area and offered refreshments. From the balcony you are greeted by the stunning views of Istanbul until you are ready to be seated at one of their comfortable tables.
Mikla Restaurant offers its customers a fixed three course al la carte menu for TL185 per person or around AUD$80. The three fixed courses have five or six dish selections per course so you can mould your meal to your liking. The other menu option available to you is Mikla’s impressive seven course tasting plate for TL265pp (AUD$120). Adding in the six matching wines will bring it to TL430pp (AUD$190). As this was a special occasion and we knew we may never get the chance again we opted for the seven courses with six matching wines.
As expected in a quality fine dining establishment the waiting staff were excellent. They were very attentive to our needs and knowledgeable of the food and wines they were serving. Unbeknown to us the seven course, six wine tasting menu ended up being eleven courses and seven wines due to exceptional Turkish hospitality and an innocent fish bone remark.
During the superbly cooked fish dish below, I happened upon a small bone, put it to the side of the plate and continued enjoying the wonderful treat. When the waiter came back to clear our plates he asked if the meal was okay. I told him it was the best fish dish I had ever had, and with that Aussie joking spirit casually mentioned the small bone. The waiter immediately apologised, cleared the plates and returned to the kitchen. Not thinking much about it, we continued to enjoy ourselves. Suddenly the waiter was out to the table, he apologised again on behalf of the chef and proceeded to give us an extra course and glass of wine. All that because of a tiny little bone. We weren’t asking or expecting anything extra, so we were surprised. Of course we respectfully accepted the extra course and wine.
Although the meals weren’t large they were beautifully constructed and very filing. By the time we got to the last plate, we were feeling full, warm and a little tingly inside. Especially with all that wine being consumed. Surprisingly, if you happen to finish your glass of wine before the next course Mikla’s waiters will offer to once again fill your glass with the current wine you are drinking.
Overall Mikla is a stunning restaurant producing excellent quality food, which we can’t recommend any more highly. Value of money is excellent, even if the cost seems high. Mikla sets no time limit on how long you can take to consume your meals, so just settle in and take your time. Enjoy the experience, the food and wine and make sure you take some photos of the stunning view on offer of Istanbul. Learn and gain some knowledge of food and wine from your waiting staff, and you shouldn’t be disappointed.
Make sure you plan your travel in Istanbul so that you get to Mikla Restaurant. We were staying just off of Istiklal Caddesi so we were able to walk to and from the restaurant. So visit their website, make a reservation today and don’t forget to tell them Simon from Ourworldinreview sent you!
Rating: 1-10 (1=very poor, 10 = excellent)
- Decor = 10
- Atmosphere = 10
- Service = 10
- Price = 10
- Food =10
Overall = 10
