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VEGAN FEAST SUBSCRIBERS' COOKING AND RECIPE FORUM>
What to eat in Istanbul and Athens?
patlanz
37 posts
Aug 13, 2007
10:14 PM
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There is a good chance I'll be going with my daughter to these two cities near the end of September. She is going on a business trip, which only takes two days in Instanbul, and then plans to take about 10 days off, so maybe 3 in Instanbul then a week in Athens. My niece lives a 20 minute drive from Athens in Vouliagmeni (I'm so lucky!!) and we'll stay there the second week.
What I would like help with from you, Bryanna, or anyone else who knows, what foods, dishes, etc to look for when eating out in Istanbul? I have some info from the internet, but lots of people on this board are so knowledgable about foods from other countries, so please, any suggestions would be very welcome!!!
In Athens, my niece and her partner can surely recommend or find out vegan dishes, or take me to a market where I can buy exotic foods!! :-D I'm so excited!!
Look forward to any suggestions you can give me. And many thanks.
Cheers,
Pat
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
2161 posts
Aug 14, 2007
4:06 PM
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I would be excited, too! Congratulations! I haven't been to either place, but here is some info:
http://www.rhizomatics.co.uk/gvn/greekvegan.html
From a blog: (http://www.geocities.com/jen_.geo/vegantravel.html)
"Greece
We had expected to find lots and lots of hummus in Greece, but in all of two months I think we only saw it once! Overall though, the food situation was pretty good for vegans. Be prepared for most dishes to arrive in deep pools of olive oil. Some foods to look for:
briam (baked vegetable casserole - tomatoes, peppers, courgette etc)
stuffed vegetables (tomatoes, peppers)
spaghetti with tomato sauce (make sure to ask for no cheese)
vegetables: beetroot, horta (spinach-like greens), green beans, fried courgette, fried aubergine, chips
Make sure to read this excellent website:
http://www.vegtravel.com/1152945_4263.htm
and "Vegetarian History Lessons from a Greek Chef":
http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vjgreek.htm
VEGETARIAN FOOD IN TURKEY:
http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/details/Food/vegetarians.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDE/is_5_19/ai_65229545
http://www.localwin.com/julie/turkish-cuisine
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patlanz
38 posts
Aug 14, 2007
10:34 PM
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Thank you, Bryanna, for such a wealth of information. If I don't cause hysterical laughter, I may even try to use Turkish phrases as in one of the links you gave. And it looks as though I will eat well in both countries.
Maybe we'll see some belly dancing in Istanbul - it's almost obligatory for tourists, I think!!! Anyway, I'm not going until mid September, so I'll still be reading the forum and your blog.
Thanks again - BTW, will we get much summer, do you think? There's been such a lot of grey, cloudy weather this year.
Hugs,
Pat
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
2162 posts
Aug 15, 2007
8:47 AM
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Pat, be warned that bellydancing in Turkey is not the same as in Egypt-- it is often performed by "dancers" in very skimpy costumes who have another profession, if you get my meaning, and can get raunchy, which is NOT what real bellydancing is all about! I have heard this from 2 fellow-dancers who travelled to Turkey. Anyone who sees bellydancing for the first time at one of these shows might have serious reservations, unfortunately for those of us who study the real thing!
Arabic bellydancing is sensual, but the dancers don't wear costumes that expose everything, and they are very highly skilled and trained. In Egypt they are not allowed to have their belly showing, and a dancer never touches either herself (beyond a hand to the head or the hip) or anyone else. They do not even do floorwork, which is considered vulgar there. Bellydancers in Arab countries are a fixture at weddings, birthdays and other family events, and certainly nothing "raunchy" would be allowed at such an occasion!
So, in Turkey, attend only shows at very high-class establishments. When are you going? I can try to find out where a good performance could be enjoyed.
Last Edited on 17-Aug-2007 7:11 AM
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Debbie
1387 posts
Aug 15, 2007
8:52 AM
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Wow, I am envious! I LOVE to travel and I wish I go with you.
Here is stuff from happycow.net for restaurants. You can go to happycow.net and type in Istanbul or Athens, Greece.
There are many vegan-friendly places. I would love to go there and try them myself. :-)
ISTANBUL:
------------------------------------------------------------ Tunelart Reviews(2): read / add
Nergis Sokak 6 (80500) (at Tünel Square)
0090-2122490536
Vegan, Organic, International, Juice bar, Beer/Wine
Wooden fire pizza on Thur, Fri, Saturday. Fresh baked bread daily. There is no sign at the Tünelart door, you have to ring the bell "tunelstreetartfestival". Accept credit cards. Need reservations. A place for booking private parties and events. Open all week.
------------------------------------------------------------ Parsifal Vejetaryen Restoran - Core Reviews(2): read / add
Kurabiye sok. 13 Beyoglu (at near Taksim end of Istiklal Caddesi and the French Consulate)
2452588
Ovo, Lacto, Vegan-friendly, Turkish, International, Beer/Wine, Not 100% Vegetarian
May have changeed name to "Core" and no longer 100% Vegetarian. Features a small but varied vegetarian menu with changing specials on some days: soups, salads, and mains. Accept credit cards. Website:www.parsifalde.com
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Zencefil Reviews(3): read / add
Kurabiye Sokak No. 8-10 (at Beyoglu)
0212-2438234
Lacto, International, Not 100% Vegetarian
Not 100% Vegetarian. Majority of dishes are vegetarian: entrees, soups, and salads that change daily. Located near another vegetarian place called Parsifal. website: www.zencefil.org
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ATHENS, GREECE:
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Diavlos Reviews(1): read / add
Pezodromos Drakou 9 (117 42) (at the square)
210-9248737
Ovo, Lacto, Vegan-friendly, International, Greek
Falafal pita sandwich, souvlaki pita sandwich made with seitan, tortilia with soyameat, fried haloumi, and more. Large portions.
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Panepistimiou Reviews(2): read / add
57 Panepistimou, El Venezelou
013210966
Vegan-friendly, Buffet, Fast food, Take-out, Delivery
Fast food restaurant. Health food market next door.
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Vegge Reviews: add
Kolotoroni 9, Kifissia
30-210-8080009
Please send details to HappyCow - thanks!
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Meson el Mirador Reviews: add
Assilaou 88, Kerameikos
210-3420007
Lacto, Mexican, International, Beer/Wine, Not 100% Vegetarian
Not 100% Vegetarian. Offers some vegetarian options. Accept credit cards.
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Debbie
Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all. ~ Harriet Van Horne
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
2163 posts
Aug 16, 2007
8:04 AM
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BTW, I didn't mean to sound derogatory about Turkey or the Turks in any way. It's just a bit of a sore point with us dancers because it is an ancient Arabic art form, with a long history, that has been used (or usurped, some say) by non-professional dancers in Turkey for the tourist trade, and the dancers are often poor women who make their living however they can. Unfortunately, though, the way they dance and the other activities they might engage in, can give people not in the know a distorted view of what bellydancing really is and who the people are that perform it.
"Bellydancing" actually is NOT about bare bellies! The word comes from the Arabic word "baladi", which means country-- the form was actually a country dance which has evolved in many different ways.
Bellydancers, which include librarians, history professors, anthropologists, and many, many feminists (including my own teacher) have worked hard to maintain the dignity, as well as the joy and feminine sensuality, of this dance form. In the Middle East, and at our own dance parties, women dance for and with eachother. I have seen this dance form transform women with issues around their bodiues, women who are so tense they can barely move, women with emotional issues, etc.. It is really amazing.
Anywya, I won't go on, but just wanted to clarify.
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patlanz
39 posts
Aug 16, 2007
10:11 PM
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Debbie, thanks so much for all that information. I think I'll be eating pretty well! Maybe we should one day organize a vegan group trip somewhere, what do you think? Or are there such organizations already? What's the best place in the world for vegan food?
Bryanna, it never crossed my mind that you were anti-anything!! And the information about bellydancing is very helpful, not to mention interesting. We are leaving Montreal on the 23rd September and will be in Istanbul for a week. It would be great to know a place where we could see good bellydancing. Thank you for taking the time!
Cheers,
Pat
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Bryanna
Owner/Moderator
2165 posts
Aug 18, 2007
8:16 AM
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Pat, I went to a hafla (dance party) last night and spoke to a dance teacher who specializes in Turkish-style bellydance and folkloric dance, so I asked her about where to see a good show. She is going to email me some info, and I will pass it on.
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patlanz
40 posts
Aug 21, 2007
10:54 PM
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Thanks, Bryanna, that's so kind of you to take the time. I was so impressed with what you said about empowering women and enabling them to like their own bodies. This is such a universal problem, it seems, and to be doing something to overcome it must be very satisfying, and setting an example for other women to join and change is so terrific!
Our tickets are booked so it's definite. I'm spending almost two weeks in Saskatchewan with my youngest daughter and husband before I go on to Montreal - they are building an extension onto their house so my time may be already mapped out!!! My eldest granddaughter lives nearby and the next oldest two hours drive away, but we'll visit her too. I believe you share my joy in seeing our families. I need to see them more often which is why I'm moving back to Vancouver.
Thank you again so much. Lots of hugs, :D
Pat
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