Food&Drink
Very similar in sounding to Lolita, Nolita, which is partners with the owners of Smyrna, has become a Cihangir hot spot serving delicious Latin food. The entrance may be confusing with its winding staircase that leads off to the side, instead of going straight through, taking you into the main room. While you’re there don’t fail to notice the chefs and waiters are very hygiene-conscious, wearing plastic gloves while preparing the food; this anti-germ mentality is hard to find in many restaurants these days. In place of bar stools, they have used barrels from the Havana Club and in the corner the Cuban flag is hanging. The stars carved into the wooden windowpanes give the restaurant a very Latin feel. It’s hard to believe that the restaurant is not trying to imitate Cuban style, instead, it tries to bring the taste of Little Italy in New York to Cihangir, for the name Nolita stands for North of Little Italy. The open kitchen allows you to see (and smell) your food as it is being prepared. If you prefer not to see or smell your food, then you can go downstairs to the second eating salon which is wider, simpler and has a bohemian look to it, something a bit more native to Cihangir. Nolita also has Latin dance classes that take place during the week. This may be one of the more different places to eat in Cihangir, which is what makes it so special. The menu offers Caribbean cuisine, as well as Turkish and other international dishes. We highly suggest putting away any fears you might have about other foods and come and try many of the dishes they serve. Stray away from your normal breakfast of cheese, jam and omelettes and come try the Cuban French toast (it comes with caramelized bananas and grilled tomatoes). There is no guarantee that you’re going to love it, but at least you can say you tried it! The breakfast and lunch menu is served from 10.00- 17.00 with other options such as wraps and salads. However, the menu’s best dishes are its main courses. Starters include salmon and shrimp dishes, (marinated in citrus juices, pomegranate and avocado salsa, and sweet ‘n’ sour cucumbers), coconut milk with chicken and shrimp soup, chicken and pineapple shish with mango salsa. The main course dishes include the Havana steak (marinated in coffee, with grilled pineapple and steamed fava beans) and SalmoNolita (grilled salmon, celery salad and jalapeno cream cheese). For dessert you can have rum flavoured pineapple and banana tortillas with Turkish coffee or Crème Brule.
(Dance classes take place on Mondays or Wednesdays and the monthly price is 140TL)
From the menu-
Cuban French toast: 9,75 TL
Salmon-shrimp ceviche: 15 TL
Havana Steak: 29 TL
Coconut chicken: 24 TL
Vegetable wrap: 14 TL
Rum flavoured pineapple and banana tortilla: 9,50 TL
Nolita
(0212) 244 87 69
Akarsu Caddesi 25, Cihangir
Translated by Sibel Karabeyoglu
Nolita (4 stars)
Writer: Çimen Uzsoy
Very similar in sounding to Lolita, Nolita, which is partners with the owners of Smyrna, has become a Cihangir hot spot serving delicious Latin food. The entrance may be confusing with its winding staircase that leads off to the side, instead of going straight through, taking you into the main room. While you’re there don’t fail to notice the chefs and waiters are very hygiene-conscious, wearing plastic gloves while preparing the food; this anti-germ mentality is hard to find in many restaurants these days. In place of bar stools, they have used barrels from the Havana Club and in the corner the Cuban flag is hanging. The stars carved into the wooden windowpanes give the restaurant a very Latin feel. It’s hard to believe that the restaurant is not trying to imitate Cuban style, instead, it tries to bring the taste of Little Italy in New York to Cihangir, for the name Nolita stands for North of Little Italy. The open kitchen allows you to see (and smell) your food as it is being prepared. If you prefer not to see or smell your food, then you can go downstairs to the second eating salon which is wider, simpler and has a bohemian look to it, something a bit more native to Cihangir. Nolita also has Latin dance classes that take place during the week. This may be one of the more different places to eat in Cihangir, which is what makes it so special. The menu offers Caribbean cuisine, as well as Turkish and other international dishes. We highly suggest putting away any fears you might have about other foods and come and try many of the dishes they serve. Stray away from your normal breakfast of cheese, jam and omelettes and come try the Cuban French toast (it comes with caramelized bananas and grilled tomatoes). There is no guarantee that you’re going to love it, but at least you can say you tried it! The breakfast and lunch menu is served from 10.00- 17.00 with other options such as wraps and salads. However, the menu’s best dishes are its main courses. Starters include salmon and shrimp dishes, (marinated in citrus juices, pomegranate and avocado salsa, and sweet ‘n’ sour cucumbers), coconut milk with chicken and shrimp soup, chicken and pineapple shish with mango salsa. The main course dishes include the Havana steak (marinated in coffee, with grilled pineapple and steamed fava beans) and SalmoNolita (grilled salmon, celery salad and jalapeno cream cheese). For dessert you can have rum flavoured pineapple and banana tortillas with Turkish coffee or Crème Brule.
(Dance classes take place on Mondays or Wednesdays and the monthly price is 140TL)
From the menu-
Cuban French toast: 9,75 TL
Salmon-shrimp ceviche: 15 TL
Havana Steak: 29 TL
Coconut chicken: 24 TL
Vegetable wrap: 14 TL
Rum flavoured pineapple and banana tortilla: 9,50 TL
Nolita
(0212) 244 87 69
Akarsu Caddesi 25, Cihangir
Translated by Sibel Karabeyoglu