Giritli Restaurant — Restaurant in Fatih

I was there on 11th of June, 2024 for a siblings gathering. I’m an executive chef over at USA, also a culinary instructor last 10 years. The food was generally salty, they didn’t use EVOO, which was expected from a restaurant influenced by Greek Cuisine. At least the name of the restaurant is a Greek island. It was so hot. They need to use some fans here in there. They gave me a piece of calamari slice I mean, literally a ring of a calamari as an appetizer. I thought this was for tasting, but it was the literally whole thing. The other food was very small portions. Also, yes I’m not expecting American portions, but these are really small for the amount of the people. We were total of nine adults and one kid first they charge me around 12,000 lira when I was leaving the place they caught me at the exit and they told me they charged wrong tables bill and they required another 8800 lira with the tips and total of payment I paid 20,200 liras.(640$ currency of the day) We used one bottle of Raki and standard menu, which was tiny, a little sardines wrapped in leaves, which was quite salty also. With the amount of people The atmosphere has been given, and the food does not worth that money. Also I paid in CASH and they did not give me a RECEIPT at all not at first time nor not at the second time so this makes me think this place is acting questionable with the tax situation. to be honest, I won’t go there one more time. If you are willing to go, please figure out the costs before you order anything please ask...

Giritli had been one of my favourite restaurants in Istanbul where I took many friends for a good meal in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. After so many years, we were there yesterday with high expectations that were unfortunately unfilled. I was sad to observe the restaurant moved away from food-first mentality. Our waiter recommended their fixed menu without handling us a menu and we agreed on a wine verbally (again without a menu). This would have been fine if the food was good. Unfortunately, almost all the mezzes were simply bland. Tarama lacked richness and creaminess, the cheese was salty, the samphire not cleaned properly, the calamari was too soft… We were sitting in their lovely patio and the arrangement of tables was good. I wouldn’t be able to say the same for the overall experience. During our meal, they turned off the lights twice for loud birthday celebrations for two different tables. Lights off, sparklers on, happy birthday song loud on, claps… I wouldn’t consider Giritli to be one of these restaurants but perhaps it has transitioned from food-first to entertainment-first place. I still remember the smell, texture, taste of excellent dishes I used to have there a decade ago. I wish I didn’t go there yesterday so that my memories would define what Giritli is. Too late now, and I don’t think I will go there again. (Price: 6 people set menu+2 bottles of wine=20k TRY incl. 10%...

We were seated by a friendly gentleman, who told us they only had 2 set menus available - one at €55 and another at €65. This was instantly a red flag since it was strange to be quoted in euros when official currency is the Turkish lira. Turns out they did have an alacarte menu, which other locals in the restaurant were given. We saw this happening, and knowing that we were not fairly informed made us very uncomfortable throughout dinner. We ended up asking the gentleman about the menu which other guests had received, and told him how we felt about being poorly informed and unfairly treated. We paid the costs of the meal per alacarte prices, and this came up to around 3,450tr for 2 persons.

Mezzes were alright, as was the seabass. Grilled octopus was so tiny and thin - would not recommend it. There were a lot of mosquitoes in the outdoor...