Doğata

by Zeyda Üstün

During my last trip to Ankara in late June, I wished to have breakfast in a garden. I surfed the internet, and combed papers and came across a newly opened place at Atatürk Orman Çiftliği: Doğata. The name is formed from a combination of the Turkish words "Doğa" (nature) and "Ata" the first syllable of Atatürk. The ad announced that an open buffet breakfast is served every Sunday between 09:30 and 13:30.

So, on a hot summer Sunday morning, my friends and I went to Atatürk Orman Çiftliği. Although we were a little bit confused by the döner and kokoreç stands at the entrance, our decision was firm and we did not hesitate to go into Doğata. After passing through a large hall, we stepped down the stairs. A garden with many trees, ponds, a children's play ground and corners shadowed with tents welcomed us. We discovered the breakfast buffet without wasting any time. It was a buffet offering an excellent Turkish breakfast. Various kinds of Turkish cheeses, jams, honey, cream, butter, olives, fruit, simit, poğaça, pies, cakes, boreks and bread….

We were hungry and immediately rushed to the cash counter. When we were about to attack the dishes, the young cashier called over and told us that we had forgotten our bracelets. We were surprised when she handed us plastic bracelets. These were to give us the opportunity to pay free visits to the buffet until 13:30.

We put them on and began to fill our plates. An egg buffet located next to bread variations attracted our attention. You can order egg variations such as omelets, soft-boiled eggs, menemen (scrambled eggs with tomatoes and green pepper)… In fact the chef and I together cooked the egg just as I desired. Anyway, we took our plates and tea and sat at a shady table next to one of the ponds.

We took some bites and we began to look around: a very clean non-sophisticated place composed of plastic chairs and tables. The gentle breeze was sweeping away the hot Ankara weather. In addition the trees and the pools cooled the area. The children's play ground behind us and the rabbit house are the fun hot spots. Since wireless internet is available many people had brought their laptops.

The open-buffet breakfast is not your only choice at Doğata. You can also eat the sandwiches and drink the beverages you can buy at the entrance. After breakfast we did not miss the chance to taste the delicious Atatürk Orman Çiftliği - AOÇ - ice cream.

I am not going to say how many times we visited the open-buffet, but I can say that I ate only fruit for dinner!

Doğata is a place that is well worth a try for an excellent Turkish-style Sunday breakfast, especialy for families with children.

Doğata
Silahtar Caddesi, 3 - Tekel Fabrikası Yanı
Atatürk Orman Çiftliği - Ankara
Tel: (312) 211 03 80

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