Flamm Restaurant
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Sofyalı Sokak, where I walk while heading to the office in the mornings, has recently changed its appearance and turned itself into a world of restaurants. Refik is the oldest meyhane on Sofyalı Sokak, which connects the Tünel to Asmalı Mescit Sokak, and after purchasing the shop next door and the restaurant across the road has almost become a meyhane holding firm. Following the traditional meyhane Sofyalı and fusion cuisine Lokal, Flamm Restaurant was opened on the corner of Şehbender Sokak in the spring.
Since all the restaurants that take tables outside when spring comes are always indispensable for me, I was repeating almost every morning that I should go to Flamm. Furthermore, the interest of media world in Flamm over the last few months had increased my curiosity. Finally I decided to have lunch with my friends at Flamm.
As soon as we sat at the table set on the street, a basket full of bread that they had baked and a plate of olive oil were served. We loved the bread with olive, and the waitress brought another basket of bread without even waiting for our order. The menu was prepared addressing various tastes. I chose the roka salad with prosciutto, while Seda preferred the steak sandwich. Meral couldn't decide between Steak Café de Paris and Halep Kebap, but chose Halep Kebap in the end. We were all happy with our selections. My salad was satisfactory, and Seda's sandwich was attractive with its herbs. Meral's Halep Kebap was made of eggplant purée, pide (pita) and long-cut steaks. Since she did not offer us a taste, it must have been very delicious. Seda wished to finish her lunch with a cup of cappuccino. I love sweets, so I ordered Sıcak Kakaolu Kek (Warm chocolate cake). The waitress told me it would take some time since the chef bakes it fresh. Finally an upturned soufflé with a ball of ice cream and chocolate sauce arrived. It is a trendy dessert, served with various names nowadays. It was delicious; however I have most probably gotten bored of seeing the same taste whenever I order a chocolate dessert with.
The food of the day section of the menu consists of tastes from Turkish cuisine
such as su böreği (water pastry) and pazı dolması (stuffed chard). I decided
to taste them on my next visit. Flamm has a rich wine menu suitable to its Mediterranean
cuisine menu. Furthermore, they offer special mezes for rakı lovers.
The 19th century high-ceilinged building where Flamm is located was restored
diligently protecting its historical structure. The owner, Irfan Kuris, is also
the owner of Maki Hotel in Bodrum, Göltürkbükü, which is famous not only for
its services but also for its food.
This beautiful restaurant is open everyday between 11:00 and 02:00 and reservation is required for dinner. It may be difficult to find a table on the street, especially when the weather is good. A small clue for the address: it is the corner of Babylon's street.
Flamm Restaurant
Sofyalı Sokak, 16/1 - Tünel
Tel: (212) 245 76 04-05