Konyalı Ferdi Usta Ortaköy — Restaurant in Beşiktaş

Another place that I'd seen on Instagram. I almost didn't come but I'm glad I did. It was a good ways off from the Sultanahmet area but nothing an Uber ride couldn't handle. Just be careful around rush hour because they'll try to ask for more.

Anyway, back to the restaurant. I liked the fact they gave you...whatever this stuff is in the first picture as soon as you got in. I know that's a Turkish meatball I'm holding.

I ordered the brain soup and a lamb shank. It was waaay more meat that I expected but that was fine because I planned on taking some to my wife. It was nice and tender, flavorful, and there was plenty of bread and peppers to go along side it. The brain soup was a bit bland but I think that has more to do with me being from the US where we put a lot of salt and seasoning into everything moreso than poor preparation on their part. If I were back home in Mississippi I'm certain it was nothing some hot sauce wouldn't have fixed.

I liked that it was nice and clean, looked modern on the inside, there was good customer service and it actually lived up to the hype.

If you're in Istanbul I can wholeheartedly...

Konya Cuisine-an authentic Anatolian kitchen. Organic products, original presentation, and traditional dishes.

We tried the legendary okra soup. Tine okras in a savory broth served in style. Fantastic nutritious soup.

We also had etli ekmek, which is a pide(Turkish pizza) looking bread with meat. Magnificent taste, meat is so tender and seasoned so well. The dough is crispy and mouthwatering.

The rice was pretty good, too.

At another visit, I tried the Fırın Kebabı. Tender pulled beef served on top of an authentic pita bread with grilled veggies. So yummy!

The only disappointment was the dessert. I tried the warm semolina halva. I had way better ones elsewhere. However, Sac Arası was fantastic! So crispy and fresh.

We also visited the place many times at some sort of company organization, and the service quality was too good and swift. I tried Fırın Kebab over keşkek. A masterpiece of delicacy.

Very reasonable pricing for all the menu items. Etli ekmek-bargain price! It can feed two people in full.

Overall rating 4.7/5 for an authentic Anatolian...

What a great restaurant in Ortakoy. I had the lamb head and feet soup (kelle paca corbasi) as a starter. It came with the special garlic-lemon sauce as a side to add. It was just delicious. It is the right dish on a cold and wet winter day. It provides vital energy and nutritions. As the main course I went for the oven baked kebab boned (firin kebabi kemikli). Absolutely amazing. As a salad I chose the gavurdag salad with extra pomegranate syrup and olive oil. Just as it should be. As a desert I had the pumpkin desert (kabak tatlisi) with plenty of tahini and walnuts. Wonderful. The restaurant has a very nice ambience with authentic traditional Turkish music with zither (kanun) instrument in the background. The place is well heated and not too crowded. The staff is very friendly and promptly. The food arrived promptly. I can only recommend this place to anyone who wants to taste traditional Turkish dishes from the Konya region in particular. Keep up the...