Alaf 2Tek

Its menu is not rich, the number of main dishes is only 2. Pumpkin in lime was mediocre. I've had much better ones in many places.

I definitely recommend it. The appetizers are awesome! The employees are very interested - a short explanation is given about each appetizer. You must try the tomato salad. We were very satisfied, the prices are reasonable compared to other businesses.

It has a unique style with newspaper-patterned tablecloths, metal plates, and raki glasses that are a bit larger than a tea glass. Kokoreç is legendary in food. Beef ribs are amazing, and baklava is also a stunning flavor at the end. I also call raw meatballs mediocre. Shashlik is also good, but I wouldn't say you should definitely taste it. A good option for those who are bored with raki-fish.

As someone who has great expectations for Alaf in Istanbul, we wanted to try the branch when we were in Bodrum in August, but it was a disappointment. First of all the service was very very bad. Our drinks arrived shortly after the starters had all arrived. We had to remind many things over and over. It wasn't an incredibly busy day, to be honest. The kitchen is open, the conversation between the chefs creates a chaotic environment, and frankly, you hear conversations you don't want to hear. For all these reasons, it is a problematic place apart from taste. We bought Alaf Çiğköfte, tomato salad, Bosnian meat, kokoreç. The plates were unimpressive except for kokoreç. Frankly, every plate had punica cayenne and black mulberry-themed similar easy-to-use sauces. Çiğköfte was far from adding a different interpretation to the taste of a classic Çiğköfte with extreme nareksis. Portions were quite small. Surprising touches were missing. I think it is a place that can be preferred if you just get bored of classic raki appetizers without much expectation in terms of gastronomy. I will give Istanbul Alaf another chance, I hope both the service and menu quality will be much better.

The design, tablecloths and service style of the place, which is located in the busiest part of the Central Marina, did not appeal to me. The food prepared by the young chef of the place is delicious, but in my opinion, food should be an "experience package" in which parameters such as service, ambiance, atmosphere, audience and presentation are included, not just the taste of the food. And in my criteria, Alaf is an average venue for this package. It will not be the point of choice for me, especially in competition with numerous alternative venues opened this year in Bodrum.