I've been to cafe Istanbul once to celebrate a friend's birthday. I'd go again. I really liked it - for the food and the atmosphere. I remember meeting the owner because he was really friendly and he and some of the male wait staff danced for us. (The dancing was amazing, that night I literally felt as though I'd been transported to another country) They had a belly dancer there too and she was really good (not obscene or anything). I like any restaurant where the owner comes and mingles with his customers. On the night I went, the crowd was very mixed and I liked it. One family there contained at least three generations, so I'd say it is a family restaurant. They do have hookahs there, but they serve fruit flavoured tobacco. It's interesting to read some of the negative reviews here. It seems to me as though some of the negative reviews aren't really critiquing the food, but are more of a way for over-inflated egos or just flat out prejudiced folk to let off steam. (You are not Turkish, how dare you 'capitalize on Turkish name'....whatever, you made me wait and you didn't stroke my ego, so I'll vent my frustration by writing negative reviews about the restaurant) Personally, if I have a poor experience at a restaurant, and it was bad enough to not go back, I don't kid myself that my no longer dining at a restaurant will cause said restaurant to close down. But then again, I do try my best to keep my ego in check, I also try to treat others as I'd like to be treated. I understand that sometimes, especially if the restaurant is popular, I might have to wait to be seated, even though I've made a reservation. The folks at Istanbul treated me very well, I felt as though I got a taste of their culture and I'll spend another evening there again soon.
Pros: Great atmosphere
Cons: The parking lot at the side of the building is too dark
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