Tarihi Sultanahmet Koftecisi - Since 1920

Now, don't start comparing this outlet to the fastfood joint, featured a couple of posts before this.
Although they share an almost similar namesake, it comes with an irreplacable old world charm of its own .
 

 

Once inside, I fell totally in love with the place as it reminds me so much of The Coliseum and Le Coq d'Or 
combined.

 

 We are ushered into this area.
You know that lone oriental looking guy at the back ? Somehow he looks familiar, just can't put my finger on it.

Not very big as you can see.
Everything old is still appreciated and taken good care of.
Spanking clean.

The staff are something else.
This is where they differ from others, some might see them as arrogant, but me, I totally lurrrveeee the almost butler like service meted out here.
Cool as a cat, this guy here never looses his cool, his eyebrows never furrow into a knot, even when a whole bottle of vinegar came crashing down behind me.
The approach is clinical to a perfection, all the while mindful of customers, it's the waiters that continue cementing it's success in today's fast paced world.

Orders are kept simple. Nothing too elaborate to confuse you and they're proud of it. Apologetic with a hint of profane pride.
I like that .
These are coat hangers we're sitting under. If only they could speak.

Yep, we start with soup again. Lentil soup yet again cos I've grown fond of it already.
Nice, no complaints.

 The much touted meatballs.
Alrightee, here, I'd like to declare that the msg laden cuisines we get back home will not prepare us for this.Because it's really back to the basics, with the most minimum bit of flavouring, which takes some getting used to.  

 I'm trying really hard, to appreciate this, but to tell you the truth, I'm failing miserably.
However, I'm not going to give up, because, just like Korean cuisine, it does take some time for the tongue to detach from what was expected,in order to relearn how to appreciate original goodness.
The pickled chillies, do come in handy, but not enough, soon I signal Mr.Cool Cat to gimme a dollop of Turkish sambal.

Take a bite and damn, still lacking something.
That's when I discover this bottle of spice sitting on the table.
Do take note that you have to spread it on the beef while it's still warm/hot. The spice mix grade A, super fresh,pleasantly mild yet has enough kick to take you on a high .
 

Basically, once you get the right mix and " get it" you're guaranteed to remember Tarihi for life and return for a whiff of days gone by.

Location : Divanyolu Caddesi, Istanbul