Eataly — Restaurant in Beşiktaş

English Version- The same review will be shared separately in Turkish due to space limitations./Aynı yorum yerim sığmadığı için Türkçe ayrı bir yorum olarak paylaşılacaktır.

At Zorlu Shopping Mall, dogs are allowed on the premises. We were with our 3 month old, around 8 kg male rottweiler mix puppy. We had eaten at Eataly before and appreciated the service, so we wanted to go again especially because my mother was visiting from out of town and this was her first time and first day in Istanbul and I wanted to take her to a place I had enjoyed before because I wanted her to have a pleasant day. When we entered in the restaurant, we were told dogs aren’t allowed inside. We accepted with understanding that and sat outside. A female staff member then approached and said the dog had to be kept in a box even outside. I was surprised; as a veterinarian all these years, I had never encountered such a rule with dogs. We agreed to use a box if they provided one and waited outside calmly. They brought a small cat carrier that was visibly dirty, with animal residues inside clearly unhygienic and hadn’t been disinfected. Even with it, I made sure not to cause any trouble. When we tried, my puppy’s head stuck out, the carrier was obviously too small. I asked how I was supposed to put him inside. “These are our rules. Shall I call my supervisor?” she said. We agreed and waited for her manager. A man whose name I recall as Mehmet arrived. He smiled, shook our hands, asked how we were, and then said: “You need to leave; dogs are not allowed.” I replied that dogs are allowed throughout the mall and at other outdoor restaurants. He insisted: “Not here.” He then added: “We only accept service dogs.” I said it’s great to accept service dogs, but how do you tell? There’s no legal framework in Türkiye that formally recognizes or verifies “service dogs.” He answered, “There is - you just don’t know it.” I smiled and replied, “I’m a veterinarian; I’m not aware of any such regulation. If we had, I would have known.” I really don’t like to be lied to my face. By then, people around us were starting to react too. One man said that in Italy, at Eataly, dogs were allowed even he took his dog with him. Another man said, “The dog is outside, what difference does it make? Let him be. He’s not harmful.” Mehmet maintained his position Mr. Mehmet maintained his stance. At one point, he made an unbelievably inappropriate and offensive remark: “So what are you saying? Are you implying we shouldn’t even accept a blind man’s dog?”. He acted as if I had spoken against service dogs and told them not to admit them, and he humiliated me in front of everyone. I’m the last person who would oppose service dogs, and I explained that to him repeatedly. It was a very wrong thing to say at that time. It was really inconsiderate. I then said (cause I was starting to get angry), “Fine this is my emotional support service dog. How would you know otherwise? How am I supposed to prove that to you?” He concluded with, “Please leave; we don’t accept dogs. This is not a service dog. I can tell the difference.” I laughed calmly and added “Yeah you can clearly. Even using laws that don’t even exist.” And that is how my mother and I ended up with a deeply unpleasant experience at Eataly in Zorlu. If you have dog/s be aware of...

A Taste of Italy in Istanbul at Zurlo Center Mall

Nestled within the bustling Zurlo Center Mall in Istanbul lies a hidden gem of Italian cuisine Eataly This charming eatery has become one of my go-to spots whenever I find myself craving authentic pasta, pizza, and salads.

From the moment you step inside, you're greeted with the tantalizing aroma of freshly prepared Italian dishes. The quality of the food never fails to impress, whether you're indulging in a hearty bowl of pasta, savoring a perfectly crafted pizza, or delighting in the crispness of their salads.

What truly sets Eataly apart is its impeccable service. The staff goes above and beyond to ensure that every diner feels welcomed and attended to. Their professionalism and attentiveness elevate the dining experience to new heights.

While Eataly may not be the most budget-friendly option in town, the quality of the ingredients and the skillful execution of each dish make it worth every lira. It's a place where you can taste the freshness in every bite, knowing that you're getting nothing but the best.

As a regular patron, I can attest that Eataly never disappoints. Whether I'm in Istanbul for business or leisure, I make it a point to visit this establishment, knowing that I'll be treated to a memorable culinary experience each time.

In conclusion, if you're looking to indulge in authentic Italian cuisine amidst the vibrant atmosphere of Istanbul, Eataly at Zurlo Center Mall is the place to be. While it may be a splurge, the exceptional food and service ensure that you'll leave satisfied and eager to return. You...

Getting in this place is an exciting experience for me. A supermarket with focus on quality, a proper restaurant and a small cafe and a bakery with seating area for both.

For the supermarket you get one with a large focus on quality, here you will find a mix of quality turkish and italian origin items. For example the cheese section has quality turkish cheeses as well as italian cheeses like picorino romano or locally made ricotta. I was hoping to find some italian chocolates but couldn’t make out any as most of the offerings were apparently turkish. They also had quite the selection of pastas, fresh and dried. Other quality items like balsamic vinegar and olive oil are available. I tried a ready made meat lasagne and tiramisu, the lasagne was great but the tiramisu was just okay.

As for the restaurant I arrived there by 7 pm so I was told there was A waiting list and I didn’t try it. However, as I was walking around I was hooked by the smell of pizza made in the bakery, where they make large rectangular pizzas that they slice and heat to order. I had few slices to eat at home and they were just amazing, I mean these slices were cold but still could easily be some of the best that I had in my life! There is seating are in the bakery where they can serve these pizzas hot. Slices are priced by weight and cost about 5USD per slice.

They also have a cafe that serves ice cream and cakes with seating area that I...