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08.04.2006 : 11:03:54
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Tugra Lounge revamped just in time for New Years Eve 2006 is a good stop on your itinerary. The ex owners changed a simple kebab restaurant into a suave and sophisticated bar and restaurant offering a welcoming retreat in both winter and summer months. On the front terrace relax in the sunshine on a beanbag chair with wonderful views of the glistening sea towards Gocek islands. Inside a large stone fireplace with open hearth completes the ambience, with soft beige interior walls adorned with the Tugras, the artistic, signatures of long gone Caliphates; antique coloured mosaic glass lamps and dark wood dining tables. The aim is simplicity and comfort, the theme is minimalist. A varied menu is on offer for summer fine dining and tempts the palette with fusions of Turkish and Mediterranean fare – a glass chiller is stuffed with colourful cold appetizers ( mezes ); these are a good substitute if you don’t fancy a full course dinner and are traditionally served when drinking the national grape and anise drink called raki. Daytimes in summer you can taste their oven baked pide or durum kebab, enjoy a glass of beer or a range of wines at the tall retro-styled bar (incidentally the barmaids are gorgeous and make good conversation).
Visiting a month later I noted the clientale are a mix of local Turkish folk, ex-pats, friends of the hosts; and visiting tourists – a very balanced mix of customers – made very welcome by Ismail’s warm personality. Logs crackled in the huge open fireplace and made a comfortable retreat from a damp winter evening. Ismail and Monica are very hospitable and hold a wealth of experience in people skills from their days managing Restaurant and Spa divisions on the world’s top cruise liners. We also anticipate some regular live musicians appearing weekly here in the summer months to give a taste of both Turkish traditional and modern music.
A recent feature is a very popular themed food evening, with local customers making use of the large kitchen facilities to prepare a varied European, Oriental or Eastern food menu; tickets are reserved at a minimum cost beforehand and is proving a popular social event. We even have some friendly competitions being encouraged! In fact the hosts are open to listening to their customer’s ideas and welcoming some good fun evenings – these are really appreciated in Gocek in the quiet, out of season months!
From artistic Tugras to artistic touches – the place offers lokum on the bar and cologne in the cloakrooms; a wide choice of seating complements the interior and you can pick up an interesting magazine to browse through or indulge yourself in a game or two of back-gammon while sipping a delicious cup of coffee – a good range of coffee beans and styles are on offer too. So next time you stop in Gocek, walk down the main street and call in the Tugra Lounge (changed in May 2007 to the MAYA Bar) for a bit of people spotting – you never know who you might see in there next!
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