Cornish Sardines w/Istanbul Tarator
Lakerda – Istanbul style cured bonito
Olive oil braised celeriac and apple
Mastic rice pudding and rhubarb sorbet
Spring lamb, artichokes, burnt onions and herbs
Spiced butter-bread
Istanbul Midye Salma – Mussels with aromatic rice
With so many influential dishes throughout the city, from ethnically diverse neighbourhoods, and the ones located right by the sea, Istanbul’s culinary influence dates back almost 2 millennia ago to the early days of the Byzantine Empire. Then the great Ottoman Empire, and Modern Turkish Republic has changed the urban cuisine, its diet and cooking techniques of the peoples’ of Istanbul. Yet the urban food culture today is vibrant and borderless.
The art of real Istanbul cuisine existed in the simplicity of its dishes that focused on rich and quality ingredients, and it remains the same today.
Led by Irem Aksu, a founder and head chef of Topik London, the urban spring series will capture flavours from Armenian, Greek, Sephardic, Middle Eastern cuisines which are key to the food culture in Istanbul and Turkish cuisine.
Well it is spring time, so think about the fresh, green grasses, the warm spring breezes, and of course, a beautiful sound of the sea. All the dishes are cooked with the greatest British produces from local farmers. You will taste of 5 courses from Istanbul cuisine with a balance of flavours, texture and colour.
The dinner will be held at e5 Bakehouse, Irem’s second home as a chef, which is an independent, organic bakery in a spruced up railway arch beneath London fields Station.
Urban Feast is a quaint supper club boasting home-style cooking done well and it promises for a unique dinner experience.
It is not BYOB event. To complete the dishes, a rich selection of quality Turkish wines from small batch makers will be available for your choice.
Please get in touch to reserve your seats via Topik’s contact form
M E N U
25.05.2018
ISTANBUL URBAN FEAST
BREAD & THREE SPICED BUTTER
E5 Bakehouse sourdough, house-made butter
*
WARM BRITISH LETTUCE WITH ISTANBUL TARATOR
w/tahini walnut tarator Sauce
MACKEREL PILAKI WITH PRESERVED TOMATOES
Istanbul style cooked mackerel with olive oil and herbs
YALANCHI CHARD SARMA, SMOKED STRAINED YOGURT
Chard rolls with bulgur and lentils cooked in citrusy broth
CHARRED ASPARAGUS ALMOND BEGENDI, LAMB, PARSLEY AND RAW ASPARAGUS SALAD
Vegetarian option with wood fired baked beetroot
*
DESSERT
IRMIK, MASTIC CREAM, BRITISH STRAWBERRY SORBET
Semolina pudding with mastic gum & sorbet
*Images by Engin Ozger, Kaat Dumoulin
food without borders 