Hacı Abdullah in Press
--- Style City Istanbul ---
Photos and text from
StyleCity Istanbul Published by
Thames
& Hudson
Haci Abdullah, the oldest restaurant in Istanbul (or so it
claims), received a facelift in 2000, at the expense, some would
argue, of its historic character. Fortunately, the slick and
shiny interior has not altered the menu, and the food is as good
as ever. Since 1888 Haci Abdullah, the first restaurant to be
endorsed by an Ottoman Sultan (Abdulhamid II, to be precise),
has been serving up a variety of Ottoman and Turkish flavours.
The menu is vast, so first-timers are advised to try the Special
Haci Abdullah Plate, which includes four separate hot dishes.
Haci Abdullah is the ultimate culinary destination for foodies
wishing to satisfy their curiosity about authentic Turkish
cuisine. The stained glass dome just above the mezzanine floor
is also worthy of admiration.
--- Mydonose Life,October - 2001 ---
EMPEROR'S MEAL IN BEYOGLU
Hacı Abdullah Lokantası'nı Beyoğlu'nda bilmeyen yoktur. Gerek
lezzeti gerek sunduğu zengin mönüsüyle Osmanlı Sarayı'ndaki
lezzeti günümüze taşıyan Hacı Abdullah, yüzyılı aşkın bir
süredir adeta bir klasik.
.......
OMekan, 1888'de İnebolu'dan gelen ve sarayda aşcılık yapan Hacı
Abdullah tarafından Karaköy Rıhtım'da açılmış. 1900'lerin
başında Beyoğlu'na ( o zamanki adı Pera) gelen lokanta 1958'de
şimdiki yerine taşınmış Hacı Abdullah'ın en önemli
özelliklerinden biri, Türk lokantacılığının ilk tescilli markası
olması.
--- MUSIAD Sector Bulletin , May -
2001 ---
A CENTURY OLD TRADITION
It is said that there is a piece from every part of Turkey and
an example from every country in the world at Beyoğlu where Hacı
Abdullah Restaurant serves traditional meals since 1888 and
shows Ottoman hospitality to the guests. Abdullah Korun, Board
Chamber of Hacı Abdullah Restaurant who witnessed Beyoğlu’s
history says,”We illuminate the history and the memories, if a
person comes to Beyoğlu but doesn’t stop by the restaurant means
didn’t really come to Beyoğlu. Because here helps to remaind
everyone our forgotten values with its place, kitchen and the
meals”. Hacı Abdullah is a special place for people who feels
nostalgia for old days, tastes, friends. The restaurant makes
you feel compfortable like your warm home. Hacı Abdullah
Restaurant with its staff shows unrivalled quality for 113
years.
--- TURSAB Magazine , May - 2001 ---
AN AUTHENTIC PLACE WHERE THE OTTOMAN CULUNARY CULTURE IS STILL
ALIVE: HACI ABDULLAH RESTAURANT
Turkey’s first formal restaurant Hacı Abdullah, serves the
traditional kitchen’s the best exampels to all Turkish and
foreign customers, during 1.5 centuries. The restaurant’s all
recipes come from Ottoman Palace and applly in the same way. The
restaurant does not go on from father to son, it survives from
master to apprentice.
.......
Hacı Abdullah Restaurant’s kitchen keeps alive Turkish cookery
with 400 different tastes. At Hacı Abdullah Restaurant 100
different meals cook and the menu changes every day to serve
customers special tastes who come from different counturies.
.......
Hacı Abdullah’s some of the compotes were made in 1970’s, still
as fresh as the first day. Their secret is they were cooked and
kept in the same pot.
--- Maison Francaise Magazine , March -
1998 ---
A CLOSE WITTNESS OF BEYOGLU'S HISTORY
Haci Abdullah Restaurant, whom carried out the culinary culture
of Ottoman And Turkish cuisine from the past to today for 1,5
centuries and offered the touch of the past in a peaceful
atmosphere to its guests, is again tracing the past with its new
setup.
Haci Abdullah Restaurant has been a school by not giving any
compromise from the special taste of the Ottoman-Türkish cuisine
up to today throughout its adventure beginning with its
foundation by the charter of II. Abdülhamit in 1888 and
continuing with the removal of its premises to the historical
building at Sakizağaci in Beyoğlu. It is a new place which is
missed in Istanbul, respecting the traditions, forcing you to
recall the past and preserving these specialties of its own, and
where you can eat your meal in a proper atmosphere. New, because
this restaurant, carrying the not eraseble traces of the Ottoman
cuisine, offers a known taste coming from the past in a
different ambience with its new visage designed and realized by
the Archipol Architecture Company.