This week, I want to tell you about a day I spent in Istanbul, which was full of exploration; a day filled with different activities, causing time to fly. Last Friday, I visited barber Adem Terzi, who I had previously seen on very creative billboards, for a haircut. As the developer of a unique concept of hairdressing under the name "Barber's Club," Adem Terzi is indeed an expert at what he does. His customers include Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ along with many other famous Turkish artists. Adem Terzi is an artist himself, who works to promote worldwide his personal hairstyle, which he calls the "Turkish shave." Adem Terzi says: "There is the American shave, the French shave and more, so why not a Turkish version?" You may hand your hair over to him in the VIP room of his barber shop in Etiler. His use of straight razors instead of scissors is what makes this haircut experience one-of-a-kind. You can also choose to get an ozone hair treatment, hair care with caviar, a manicure, a pedicure and skin care. In addition, customers can try the Eyüp Sabri Tuncer aftershave colognes, labeled with the Adem Terzi trademark. Congratulations to the artist of Turkish barbering, Adem Terzi, for raising the standards of his industry.
After leaving the barber, I visited the Abidin Dino Exhibition at the Mezzanine of Ravouna Hotel in Beyoğlu. I learned that the mezzanine, which takes its name from the architecture of the hotel, Alexandre D. Neocosmos, will continue hosting new exhibitions from now on. Meanwhile, Mehmet Ali Hatemi is the curator of the exhibition space which was opened with the initiatives of İsmail Turfanda, the owner of the hotel. Hatemi is a real art expert. His intellectual depth and knowledge of art is unbelievable. He successfully brought together the unique works of Abidin Dino. He knows the story of each and every piece by heart and tells them like a tale. I was really amazed by the drawings and paintings of Abidin Dino. Since you are already at Ravouna, you may also climb up to the top floor of the hotel and sip the premiere cocktail named "Dino," prepared exclusively for the exhibition, at the restaurant managed by Hüseyin Vural and offers a beautiful view of the Bosporus.
After the exhibition, I stopped by Barbounia Restaurant at Pera Rixos Hotel in Beyoğlu. This restaurant, which is under the management of experienced manager Deniz Zengin, is really my favorite nowadays. It is one of those rare places where food, decorations and music are all in harmony with one another. Its ambiance is very nostalgic; just a real Pera restaurant. The restaurant is dominated by dark chocolate wood which is anything but boring. There are crystal glasses on the bare tables, offering you a comfortable and modern environment. The music consists of Turkish songs from the 1980s and '90s. I found their choice of music to be very tasteful. My favorite among the cocktails is the "Pink Ouzo," because it captures the splendid harmony of the tastes of anise ouzo with grapefruit. Congratulations to Mehmet Ali Pişkin for that. My favorites on the menu are the lamb rack, tavern rice called "meyhane pilavı" and edible stuffed mussels. They have created edible shells from macaroni that are painted with the ink of cuttlefish in the color of oysters, and they have stuffed it with stuffed mussels. In addition, mushroom and kokoreç (charcoal grilled seasoned mutton intestines) with dill are also among the interesting options available. The Saganaki cheese is delicious. Congratulations to Chef Gökhan Çilak. I host all my foreign guests, who visit Turkey, at this restaurant so they can see how Turkish cuisine can be modernized and how food, music and decoration can be successfully harmonized together.
Following the meal I stopped by the Kargalar Kafeste concert at Pera Palas managed by the Jumeriah group. İlhan Şeşen's concert was held at the very same venue the previous week. We experienced two splendid concerts at the Orient Express bar that left us with delightful memories. I recommend that you get information about the ongoing events on Fridays from the hotel. The guests are elite. The order of the concert is warm and elegant just like in small pub concerts in London and Paris. The domed tea hall and the Ernest Hemingway suite of this historic hotel, which was opened in 1895, are my favorites. Pınar Kartal Timer, the manager of the hotel, is a true representation of a timeless Istanbul lady, which the hotel deserves. Her sectoral experience, visible efforts at the hotel and non-stop hospitality deserves to be applauded. Definitely stop by Pera Palas for socializing and accommodation.
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