It’s been a really long while since I’ve written on here. Actually, my last post was a goodbye to blogging but month after month, I kept finding myself wondering what if I kept up with this blog? What if I poured my heart and soul into my creative outlets? Where would I be now?
And therefore, here I am, giving this another go. Hopefully with full commitment this time. Hopefully embracing all my imperfections this time. Hopefully keeping focus on my goal.
Much has changed since my post, most important of which is I’ve joined the mumma club! I have my own little girl who has brought the so much joy, laughter and love into my life. We have moved far far away from my much beloved city – NYC – to the lovely state of North Carolina. I’ve still not lost my pregnancy weight, in fact, I’ve fully embraced eating cookies and ice cream every night in the time Corona without a worry of the expanding waistline. And lastly, I’ve loved, I’ve cried, I’ve lived, I’ve learned and I’ve grown.
Let’s start this journey again! I hope you all will join me.
xoxo,
heenerzz
P.S. happy mumma’s day to everyone out there. And a special thank you to my little girl, Rahi, thank you for making me a mumma. This, my babadoo, is for you.
preggerzz with Babadoo in NYC summer 2016 mumma lifing it spring 20192019 annual summer NYC trip with Babadoo and Hubster
When I started this blog, I set out to share everything I am learning and share how I am growing as a South Asian Woman. I set out with so many ideas, so many things I wanted to share with you (literally, I wrote out my focus for a years worth of weekly blog entries – over 52 ideas). But, it has been difficult. I didn’t even get to write even a quarter of what I wanted to share.
It has been a difficult year, filled with lots of growing pains, that sometimes dragged me down. But I am out of the trenches now, starting to feel like my old self again, but a much stronger person with a lot more focus to make her dreams happen.
And that is what I am setting out to do. I am saying goodbye to this blog to focus on bettering my life, enriching my soul, pursuing my dreams, taking risks, and becoming the woman that is hidden inside of me raging to come out. Thank you to everyone that has supported me along the way. It has meant so much to me. I have been so blessed in my entire life to have the people by my side that I do, and have been given the joys I have been given – truly Blessed and Lucky and extremely Thankful.
Setting off in the world to receive and be grateful for all my blessings.
My final tip: If you lost your way – Let go, focus on your happiness, and pursue what makes you happy. It will be hard work, it will be sacrifices, but it will all be worth it!
XoXo,
Back with another installment on fall fashion. This time, with a trend that can be a classic depending on what you buy – CAPES (or ruana or poncho)! For a really really really long time, I have admired a camel cape with leather strap buckles similar to this one at Zara (they have one every Autumn/Winter Season).
My only hesitation with investing in this cape was how practical it would actually be (meaning will it keep this girl who is ALWAYS cold, warm enough). I tend to be more into practical fashion in the winter – goal is to keep me warm!
Back to the point, capes are making a comeback and have been super trendy the past few fall/autumn seasons. This camel cape from Zara or something similar would be a great item to invest in if you want a closet staple piece. However, if you are unsure if capes will keep you warm (like I was!), you can start off by buying something trendier and friendlier on the budget. (Sometimes, a good classic staple piece can end up costing more than a trendy piece).
Last year, this Burberry color block cape/blanket poncho was all the rage in Hollywood and in Bollywood. Just look how good it looks on Deepika! Unfortunately, the $1,400+ price tag on this cape was WAY out of my budget.
But luckily, many stores carry pieces that are similar to this. On our little Italian getaway this year, I managed to find a similar piece for a SUPER fraction of the cost. It looks just as great and it actually keeps me warm (it is wool after all!).
The easiest way to style it (and keep warm) is to rock it with a basic pair of jeans, warm sweater and boots – versatile fall look with pieces that you may already have in your closet. All you need to add/buy is the cape!
Outfit details:
Cape: Local market in Italy
Sweater: Banana Republic Factory Store
Jeans: Rock & Republic, Kohls
Boots: Vince Camuto, Macy’s
Purse: Mulberry
Sunnies: Vintage Valentino
Missing: A big floppy felt hat!
Now where to find these capes/ruanas/ponchos: You can find them basically in every department store and boutique. If shop around (even online if you don’t like hitting the stores – ASOS.com has a great variety!), you are likely to find something that you will love within your budget. And lastly, have fun with your cape! You never know, it may make you feel like a superhero 😜
Tip #1: Belt it up! Cinch in that cape and show off those curves.
Tip #2: For something even trendier, get a cape/ruana with fringe!
Tip #3: For my Indian ladies, capes are in trend in Indian fashion too. Here are two pieces you can buy right now and incorporate right away! Try it out with a contrasting color sari or choli skirt!
a little vintage/Victorian flare to a Sari or Choli or Anarkali! ❤️❤️
this with navy sari! yes please!
P.S. If you haven’t figured it out yet, click on any of the pictures and they will take you to the site on where to buy! Happy shopping!
I am quite embarrassed by how long it has been since my last post! But sometimes life catches up to you, pulls you into the ditches and changes the course of your path. But with positivity and prayer, you come out stronger and more determined than before! For me, there is no better week to start off than this week where we celebrate Maha Navratri and celebrate Durga Maa/Devi Maa and the Shakti (Strength/Power) in us.
So let’s kick it off with something a little light – FALL FASHION! We have many new trends, repeat trends and of course standby classics this season. If I had a hefty shopping budget and unlimited amount of space, it would be so very easy for me to spend on every trend, but that is definitely not the case. The way I approach this dilemma – spend on good quality classics and buy one or two trend pieces (UNLESS you find an AWESOME deal that you just cannot give up! True #confessionsofashopaholic).
This first post of my fall series will focus a classic:
Tartan aka Plaid Shirts
This season plaid is super popular with blanket scarves, capes and jackets. However, if you want to get a piece that will last, get a plaid shirt with neutral colors. This plaid shirt has gone a long way for me. I have owned it for about 5 years now (Having bought it on Halloween just for a Halloween costume and at that time thinking I overpaid for the shirt – $30 for a plaid shirt at full price😧). But it has been well worth the investment. I love that it has a white base with basic red, green and navy. My favorite part of the shirt though, is the corduroy elbow patches! (I have a HUGE thing for elbow patches).
I paired the shirt with dark wash H&M skinny leg jeans, vintage looking Vince Camuto boots and a Zara forest green moto jacket. To accessorize, I added this grayish silver Old Navy shawl/scarf, a mustard colored Mulberry purse and vintage Valentino sunglasses.
Time to plaid it up! Check these out for your collection.
Tip #1: Try a bit of print and material mixing with the plaid shirt. Pair it with a floral scarf or a leather skirt. Definitely dreaming up an outfit here with a black leather pencil skirt and plaid shirt! MUST try!
Tip #2: Try wearing plaid with suspenders! I love my suspenders that I picked up from Amazon for less than $7.00 for my plaid shirt.
Tip #3: Accessorize with fall color palettes. The fall color this season is Burgundy. However, I still love the mustard, navy, camel, rust, and hunter greens for my fall color palette. I am however VERY guilty of not following season colors. So DO YOU =)
Typical work week mornings for us are ALWAYS a rush. Snoozing is default on our phones. Waking up ten minutes earlier is just NOT an option! And because of this, we are always running for our train. There have been PLENTY of times when I dash into the station just in time to see the train pulling away or have the doors close in my face. Argh – the frustration! And on top of that, you have already paid your fare, have no cell phone service and now must wait in the hot station for the next train which for me is usually a 10 minute wait. You can imagine what an annoying situation this can be. I think at one point or another, most commuters have experienced this feeling. How can I stop this from happening???
Raj Agarwal, creator of DASH!
And this is where Raj Agarwal comes in. As a commuter, Raj regularly experienced these same frustrations. But instead of continuing to deal with it and stay frustrated, he worked on creating his own solution – the DASH! TRANSIT app. I had the fortunate opportunity to meet Raj a few weeks ago to sit down for an interview and learn more about the app.
Interviewing Raj
A Brief History
Raj first created this app 3 years ago for his own use as a solution to his commuter dilemma. The first version of the app was first called My Transit Alert. Without even any advertising or promoting (he had not even told his mom about the app at this point!), he noticed that 1,000 people downloaded the app within two months. He saw there was a niche to be filled and this is when he decided he wanted to pursue this and develop an app that he could share with other users. So he went back to the drawing board and hired a team to develop and build what is now DASH! Transit.
The DASH! Interface
The Namesake:
I am always interested in how an app, program or website decides on a name. So naturally, I had to ask Raj, why DASH! Transit? Raj had already decided with the re-development of My Transit Alert, he wanted a new name, but what should that name be? And then he met a stranger on a long train ride from DC to NY. They shared their stories of what they do and the stranger (a scientist working on stem cell research) was interested in helping Raj find a name for the app. For three hours, they brainstormed ideas for a name for the app even resorting to using different languages. In the end they came up with DASH!. Either you wait for the next train or you DASH to catch it. What a great appropriate name – simple, easy, and catchy. And just recently, the DASH team came up with a tagline for the app – “DASH…because waiting sucks.” I couldn’t have said it better myself!
How does DASH! Work?
DASH! is meant for commuters. It is basically a “set it and forget it” type app. You chose your travel agency (i.e. MTA, PATH, etc) and you set your daily commute route on the app (make sure to allow location tracking and alerts). The app will alert you of the next two train/bus arrival when you are 2 to 6 city blocks from your train (this is also based on your personal setting). (See below picture on my normal commute alert). Based on this alert, you will know whether or not you will make catch the first timing or if you have a few minutes before catching the second timing. You never have to open the app again (unless you want to change or add an alert). It’s meant to be a seamless interface.
It is important to note this app is more of a commuter app. It is not meant to calculate transit directions and routes for you like Google Maps or Hopstop.
I have personally been using this app for a few months now, and it has been working on great for me. Since I have set the alerts, I have not even opened the app again. It tells me everything I need for my daily commute to and from work.
The DASH! Alert letting me know when my next two trains will be departing.
Where is DASH! is available?
Currently, the DASH! team has the Top 11 most used transit lines on their app. The list includes:
NYC MTA
NY LIRR
NJ Transit Rail
NJ Transit Bus
NJ PATH
Washington WMATA
Lost Angeles – LACMTA
South Eastern Pennsylvania – SEPTA
Chicago CTA
San Francisco – BART
Boston – MBTA
How can I get DASH!?
First and foremost, DASH! absolutely FREE to download and use!
DASH is currently only available for iPhone users. The app can be downloaded through the App Store by searching for “DASH! Transit.” or by using clicking here: DASH!
Android users – do not fret! The app will soon be available on Android. Follow DASH! Transit on Twitter or Facebook and stay tuned for this release.
Exciting new updates and features:
Raj and his team are constantly working on improving the app and the user experience. So what’s in store for this app? Let’s see:
Notifications on iWatch – if you own an iWatch this will be great! You will get the alert right on your watch.
Uber option – you missed your train and the next one is not for another 20 minutes. You are in a rush and need to get somewhere. WhyThe app will give you the option to directly call Uber.
Your next train is 10 minutes away – what do you do with those 10 minutes besides catch up on Facebook or Instagram or The Indus Tijori blog 😉 ? How about checking out what’s going on locally – maybe a local food, art or music fair that you may have missed otherwise.
For me this app has been REVOLUTIONARY for my commuter life. If you are using any of the listed mass transit systems for your daily commute, you NEED to download DASH! TRANSIT and put your morning commute on CRUISE CONTROL. So DASH!..because waiting sucks!
XoXo,
heenerzz
Tips: Make sure you search for the app by the full name “DASH! TRANSIT” otherwise it will be extremely difficult to find on the app store! And follow DASH! Transit on Twitter and Facebook to stay tuned to their latest updates!
TheIndusTijori – what does this mean?!?! When I first started the blog, I went back and forth with whether my first post should explain my namesake – The Indus Tijori – or go straight into what I wanted to share. In the end, as you have seen, I kept the About section short and simple and did not give any reference to the name. So here goes this LONG overdue post – What does TheIndusTijori mean?
First let’s start with the word – Indus. This word references my roots – to where and how India formulated – the very beginning (well, as far as we know) – the Indus Valley Civilization. The word brings me back to World History class in freshmen year of high school, learning about the Old World civilizations, being completely captivated by it all and wanting to go back to India even though I just came back from a two month trip from there. The word Indus has resonated and stayed with me since then.
Now onto the more difficult word – Tijori. Essentially, a Tijori is a locked armoire. It is found in most Indian households in India (at least in the region I am from). Tijori has more of a sentimental connection to me and a personal history.
Although I was raised in the US, I was fortunate enough to spend numerous long 8 week summer vacations in India. Much of that time was always spent in my Papa’s home in a small village in Gujarat. In our India home, my parents had a Tijori (one of the wedding presents from my Nana Nani to my parents – which they still have and use today). I have many fond memories associated with this Tijori from childhood to adulthood. As a child, I remember Mummy Papa opening it every morning to get ready. It’s where Mummy kept all her daily and special occasion saris and Papa kept his tailored pant shirts, his oversized watch, Ray Ban sunglasses and his favorite colognes. To this day, I can vividly picture Papa asking Mummy for the Tijori keys (which were always with her safely tucked into her sari) and to take out my little toy keyboard piano, paint sets, or – when we became older – Nintendo GameBoys for bhailu (my little brother) and I, and my numerous collection of neon and pastel colored nail polishes to create nail art on my friends there. As a little child, it was a treasure chest – what will Mummy Papa take out of there next.
My last trip to India, I took special interest to see what really was in this Tijori. In going through the Tijori with my parents, I found so many sentimental, irreplaceable valuables and mostly their precious memories. It contained mummy’s wedding sari, her baby shower sari, pictures of their wedding, pictures and the videotape from my bhailu’s mundan (head shaving) ceremony, a silver rattle I played with when I was a baby, my baby blanket, and even after all these years, my toy keyboard piano and our GameBoys. It really was a treasure chest – our family treasure chest.
And that’s really how the name of the blog and the byline “Unlocking the Secrets of the South Asian Lifestyle” came about. This blog was created to share all the things that I learn and observe in my evolving world and more importantly to capture a little bit of my family history through stories, recipes and lifestyle and to encourage you to unlock your own family’s treasured memories.
For many (not all) girls in our generation, silk saris seem old fashioned and traditional compared to the popular chiffon and net saris. We have a preconceived notion that silks are meant for our mummy’s and grandmummy’s generation. And to some extent – I get the logic. The prints are from another era, it is an unforgiving fabric (depending on the type and quality), they are not, and they need to be ironed! However ladies, throw all these notions out the door. Silks are being given a new life with modern prints, bright colors and new draping techniques. Today, I am going to focus on a “new” draping technique that will give your silk a more modern feel.
Normally, the three most popular draping methods for saris including silks are style, Seedha Pallu, Nivi Style with Pallu Out and Nivi Style. For me, there are pros and cons to each method. (All saris pictured are by Gaurang Shah)
Seedha Pallu (Gujarati) Style: Pros – best way to show off the intricate pallu design. Cons – definitely makes me feel mummy/aunty like.
Nivi Style with Pallu Out:
Pros – The pallu design is visible and it’s very Bollywood! Cons – the pallu is a hinderence when trying to dance.
Nivi Style: Pros – mix between modern and traditional. Cons – pallu design is covered in the pleats.
One day, in trying to learn how to do each of these drapes on myself, I came across a draping video by Little Black Sari (LBS). LBS is a relatively new website/blogger that buys and sells your old saris (great idea!). LBS is extremely creative when it comes to sari drapes and it is from her YouTube channel that I discovered the DRESS DRAPE. This draping is similar to a casual Bengali drape but with a belt!
This technique solved all my woes in draping silk saris (except the ironing! ::sigh:: )
1) It showcases the exquisite design of the pallu.
2) It is a great twist on draping a traditional sari with modern elements (i.e. your new funky print crop top!)
3) It is one of the more comfortable ways to wear a sari.
After seeing this video, I naturally had to experiment with the dress drape. I just had to wait for the right event. And then came my bhabhi’s baby shower (it seems all my experiments happen at baby showers lately..hmmm). With mummy’s help, one of her old silk saris, my most versatile crop top and a gold belt, I set out to do the dress drape. I was extremely pleased with the results as was mummy! (who usually thinks I am nuts when I do these “weird” things – she likes to keep the tradition alive with her preference of the Seedha Pallu drape and I love her for it!). Anyway, check out the results for yourself:
I think I am going to wear all silk saris this way from now on. So ladies, raid your mummy’s closet because it’s time to rock those silk saris! You can easily re-create this look by following this step-by-step video by Little Black Sari. Thank you Little Black Sari for this video! I can’t wait for the skirt drape now!
Stay tuned for future blog posts on experiments with more draping techniques (did you know there are 50+ ways to drape a sari!) and how to make a sari into a cocktail dress – no sewing required!
XoXo,
heenerzz
P.S Update on Bhabhi – she just had a beautiful baby girl this week – Fashionista in the making! =o)
Doing grocery shopping at an Indian grocery store can be quiet a daunting task. Not only will you be faced with fruits, vegetables, spices, snacks, flours, legumes that you may have never heard of or seen, but you will also be faced with the infamous AUNTIES. Trying to get in between them picking through to find the best fruits and vegetables is like being a gladiator about to enter the Coliseum to fight till death. Unfortunately, this is a matter that I cannot help with as I am still trying to master the art of dealing with the infamous AUNTIES. However, what I can help you with is deciphering what you need from the aisles and aisles of different spices, flours, legumes, and grains.
So let’s begin Part 2 of the setting up the basic Indian Kitchen, getting all the right legumes and grains. Legumes are a major part of the Indian diet – especially the Indian vegetarian diet since they are one of the main sources of protein. There are so many different varieties and every region of India uses one more than the other. To help me decipher what I needed most in my kitchen, I took mummy grocery shopping with me (actually to be quite frank, she always sets up my whole kitchen for me whenever I move! Thank goodness for her!) Below, is our list of essentials and then some more.
Basic Legumes and Grains Needed:
Split Moong Daal (without skin) – used most frequently to make daal tadka, daal palak, daal wada, and khichidi. This lentil is one of the fastest cooking.
Whole Moong Daal – used to make whole moong daal soup and sprouts which can be used in subzi, chaats, and even healthier versions of idli/dosa =o)
Toor Daal (Arhar Daal) – most commonly used for making gujarati daal, sambhar, and varan. Can also be used for khichidi. This lentil does take much longer to cook than split moong daal.
Desi Chana(Kala Chana) – another type of chickpea. most commonly used for chaats or kala chana curry. Can also be used for hara bara kebabs. Can also be cooked, smashed and fried to make chana chor snack.
Chana (Chickpeas) – used for one of the most popular Indian dishes – Chana Masala/Chole Bhature. Can also be used for chaats, falafel, hummus and salads.
Rajma (Kidney Beans) – used for another popular Indian dish – Rajma Masala. Can also be used to make refried beans or in Mexican food.
Chawal (Basmati Rice) – versatile for any cuisine. Commonly used for making jeera rice, biryani, pulao, and khichidi.
Chana Flour (Besan) – used for making kadhi and pakoras. Can also be used for making khaman, khandvi, puda/chilla, zunka, and ghatte ki subzi. Can also be used as a thickening agent. (Beauty secret: can also use this for a scrub — future blog post!)
Whole Wheat or Whole Grain Flour – most commonly used for Roti and Paratha’s. Also used for muthiya and theplas.
Now if have the space and want to really set up the whole kitchen, here some additional legumes and grains you may want to keep on hand:
The Extras:
Split Urad Daal (without skin) – can be used to make urad daal tadka, panchmel daal, and I use it frequently for idli/dosa
Masoor Daal – can be used to make Masoor daal, sambhar, and panchmel daal. (Beauty secret: can be used as a face pack – future blog post!)
Chana Daal – used to make chana dal fry, pairs wonderfully in subzi with doodhi (bottlegourd), and also used in panchmel daal. Can also be used to make khaman dhokla. Can also be fried and spiced to have snack of fried chana dal.
Moth Daal – can be used to make sprouts for chaats and subzi. Also used for matki. Can also be fried to make dal moth snack.
Rice Flour – my favorite use is for papdi lot (khichu!). Can also be used to make puda/chilla and instant dosas.
Bajri flour (Millet flour) – used to make Bajri na Rotla (bajri roti). Can also be used in theplas and for khichu.
Idli Rava – used for making idli/dosa.
Sooji (Rava) – used for making halwa, upma, uttapum and rava idli/dosa. Can also be used for muthiya.
Sattu flour (Roasted chana flour) – this I keep specifically for the Hubster to make him sattu parathas. Can also be used to make litti chokha.
I do have a few more items stocked in my pantry (i.e. quinoa, cornmeal, black eyed peas, brown rice, dahlia etc.) but the above items are my most used. I can’t wait to share recipes using all these ingredients (even post on making your own flour mixes using some of these legumes!) Stay tuned for Part 3 of The Indian Kitchen – Spices!
For years, shopping for reasonably priced Indian wear in the US was extremely tough especially if you were trying to find designer fashion. Unless you knew someone who knew someone who designed outfits or sold designer outfits, you were basically left to slim pickings (or at the mercy of relatives sending you outfits from India that you did not see and could not return). However, now with the magic of social media, designer clothes are just a click away. Through social media (Instagram), I discovered the fashionEditstudio in NYC. My discovery could not have been timed any better. That very week, the studio was featuring a trunk show for Payal Singhal– one of my favorite designers! SO of course, I had to go.
On a bright sunny Saturday, I made the trip to the fashionEdit studio in Herald Square NYC and it was a trip well worth it. Not only did I get to admire and try on some of my favorite Payal Singhal pieces, but I had the opportunity to meet and interview Sadia Majeed, the owner of the studio.. Besides her passion for fashion, what I really admired about Sadia was how she interacted with her clients. She makes the experience like shopping with your best girlfriend. She provides her honest opinion – if something does not look good on you, she will gently and kindly steer you to another piece that may work better for you. She is not out there just to make sale; she is really there to make sure you feel your best in the piece you select. And if you don’t, she will not push it on you – this is a true passionate fashionista.
Check out pictures from the collection, the studio and my interview with Sadia.
The collection:
One of my absolute favs!!!
I love these fresh prints!
So many ways to re-use and change up the skirt and top in western wear and even for Indian wear!
Something a little bit more traditional and something sparkly for a bride =o)
Not the traditional gotas and bead strings. I love the details! Very different and intricate.
The Interview:
How long have you been working in the fashion industry? What is your favorite part of the industry? I have been part of the fashion industry for over a decade. I love how my creative side comes alive by being in fashion – may it be with styling or working on ideas to promote the brand.
When did the fashionEdit open? What designers do you feature? the fashionEdit opened in July of last year but it was up and running in the Fall of 2014. The first month, I was still setting up and renovating. Currently, I am featuring on Payal Singhal and Namrata Joshipura pieces.
How long have you been working with Payal Singhal?I have been working with Payal since 2006.
What collection of Payal Singhal’s are you currently featuring? I am currently featuring the Excavations, Firduas and some grand pieces from Charbaug and Lady Sahara as well.
What do you like most about Payal’s collection? I like how you can mix and match pieces with what you already own and have in your wardrobe. An outfit can transform in mere seconds with just a pairing of a different bottom or top.
What has been your favorite Payal Singhal piece of all time? I honestly have too many to choose from. But there was one sari that Payal specifically custom made for me and I wore it to a dear friend’s wedding. That piece made me sexy and beautiful at the same time.
Where do you get your fashion inspiration from for your personal style? My fashion inspiration comes from magazines. I probably subscribe to about 15 publications.
The Logistics:
the fashionEdit studio is located in Herald Square. One can visit the studio at anytime by simply by contacting Sadia at sadia@payalsinghal.com. If you like to purchase any of the pieces there, custom tailoring and fittings are available. Additionally, Sadia can work with you to have a custom piece ordered (please allow at least 4-8 weeks for this). The options are endless.
Thank you Sadia for bringing NYC the fashionEdit studio! You have made the lives of many South Asian ladies out there so much easier! I look forward to seeing and featuring Payal’s latest collection at your studio soon!
The wait is finally over. Part 2 of our Istanbul adventure is ready for you. Now, sightseeing is great and all (that is the main reason we select a location for travel) but for every destination I go to, what I really want to know is where to eat — after all a girl cannot survive on water and sights alone!
Since Istanbul was an extremely last minute trip (find out why in Part 1 of my Istanbul trip), we did not have much time to research where to eat. The only research I did do was watch Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations episode on Istanbul. It is always good to start with Anthony =o) Once we arrived there, we asked the locals for recommendations and others we stumbled upon. So let’s break it down by the area:
The only reason to go here is for the rooftop view. Unfortunately, that means you have to eat here. The food was okay and my mint tea was given to me as a Lipton tea bag (big disappointment!). Despite these let downs, hearing the call for prayer while overlooking the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque and people going about their life was a very surreal experience. So for this alone, it is worth having bland food.
I believe this is a salted flaming fish – a specialty of this restaurant which we did not try
Personally, as a vegetarian, the only thing I truly enjoyed here was the lavash bread. It a perfect airy pillow and best eaten warm. We did a whole mezze of dips and unfortunately, they were all bland. I would not go back to this restaurant again.
This bar is supposed to be one of the best for music and partying in the area. We went on an off-peak day during non-tourist season. The music was good but there were barely any people there. They do have a rooftop dining area which we did not get to see. The rooftop has a great view of the Blue Mosque.
Okay so I caved and had pizza. It was not bad at all and it was a great quick eat while Hubster grabbed his doner kebab from a spot across this place which he said was really good too. There are many sit down restaurants right in front of the tower, but I say the best thing to do is grab some street eats and sit on the big stone fence in front of the tower and people watch =o)
This little café resides on a side street which is across from Caribou Café. Great local spot to stop, take a break and have some tea or hookah. One of our favorite spots that we stumbled upon and one we hope to visit again and again on our next trip there.
I loved this place for its view, ambiance and delicious cocktails and teas. The food was eclectic mix of Italian and Asian. It was delicious. Besides the view, the cocktails are AMAZING! – there list is extensive and for that alone I would want to go back! Make sure you get reservations and request the corner seat by the window.
Thus far, the best baklava I have ever tasted. So much variety (chocolate baklava!) and it all just melts in your mouth. I would recommend getting a couple of pieces each to share. We did bring some home but it did not taste the same as having it fresh. Indulge while you are here. I dream about this baklava!
If you are non-vegetarian, the one thing you should have in Istanbul is a doner kebab. Although I am vegetarian, I wanted to make sure Hubster got to experience the best of the street eats in Istanbul. This place was featured on Anthony Bourdain and according to Hubster, it was well worth the long walk up to Taksim Square (plus not to mention, I got to have baklava at Faruk Gulluoglu since they are almost across each other!) Do not miss this place!
My favorite street for nightlife in Istanbul. We were so sad we discovered it only on our last night there. This street and its surrounding area is filled with only restaurants and bars and even some karoake. This is definitely a street the locals hang out and they are all so friendly. We will definitely be back on this street again.
This was an Anthony Bourdain spot for kebabs and late night cheap eats. The lavash they use in their wraps have a little hint of spice which is what they are known for. They even made a veggie wrap for me which I devoured. Probably one of the best eats I had in Istanbul – next to the baklava of course.
We had seen this on the show Party On on E! Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to party here, but we did pass by it on our Bosphorus River cruise. This is a pool, restaurant, nightclub on the Bosphorous River. It’s an all day party spot if you go in warmer weather. Reservations are highly recommended.
This restaurant was recommended to us by multiple stalls inside the Grand Bazaar. We didn’t try it since we wanted a quick bite. However, the restaurant was massive, packed and it the food looked very appetizing. All good signs!
We stopped at a local café for some tea and sandwiches. At this time, I cannot recall the name. The tea was amazing, the sandwich not so much. Just be weary of cheese sandwiches in the Grand Bazaar.
This restaurant was highly recommended to us by many locals. It was in the Eminonu section of Istanbul, an area we only went by to see the Spice Market on our first day. After, we never got a chance to go back. I think it is a restaurant I would go to next time.
Another really famous baklava place in Istanbul. Unfortunately, it was out of the way for us so we did not get to try it. It is on my list as a MUST for next time.
Other information:
1) The walk from Galata Tower to Taksim Square is well worth it in sights and people watching.
2) Enjoy fresh pomegranate juice and the roasted chestnuts anywhere in the city (NYC needs a lesson or two on roasting chestnuts like these pros!)
3) Enjoy some simits from the carts. These are Turkish bagels and they are everywhere (like how NYC pretzel carts are everywhere).
4) Turkish ice cream is a must! The guys use super long handled spatula type scoops to place the ice cream in the cone.
5) If you have the time to indulge, make sure you have a Turkish breakfast. We missed out on this experience but it looks amazing in pictures and reviews.
6) Another indulgence: Turkish baths!
7) Check out this website for all your research on food in Istanbul: Istanbul Eats
Tips: Take the path less traveled and find some of your own hidden treasures.
I hope this helps in some of your travel planning for Istanbul. Don’t forget to check out Part 1 if you missed it! Also, if you have been to Istanbul, feel free to leave comments on your favorite places and share your experiences =o)
THE INDUS TIJORI 