Şahika Bahçe

Susan and I went to, another, restaurant where we were the only customers.

Discovery

Before coming to Türkiye I did a lot of searching for places to eat, but I found Şahika Bahçe by looking at places on google maps. When I found it the reviews were amazing and the only menu I could find was hand-written, this suggested that they did not have a set menu and would create it based upon the ingredients available and in season. They do not have a website, but only an Instagram @sahika_bahce and a Facebook presence.

Getting there

As we had a hire car we just drove, which was not an issue as I don't drink as much anymore. You would be able to get a Taxi from a nearby town such as Kalkan. Although they do offer to come and pick you up, from your hotel, and return you and on the way there take you to a hill top for sparkling wine and to watch the sunset, before then bringing you to the restaurant. We were told that this would be an extra £25 (I think).

Setting

The restaurant is in a small village in valley behind the hills of Kalkan. It was very quiet and there is also Pirha Köy Sofrası in the village.

When you park the car, off a small road, next to a tree, you then walk around a track and are presented with mural of ingredients painted on the side of a building.

Around the corner there is an old wooden door as a gate to the garden and through there is a large mirro and then the house with the restaurant. Then in the garden there are a number of tables and chairs, some in the open some covered and there is a small pond and then some raised seating areas.

The manager led us to our table, it was a circular table with 4 chairs and two places set, it was next to a small pond with a foot bridge over it. Above our table was a crystal chandelier.

Food

This was a tasting menu and the only thing that we got to chose was our main and what we wanted to drink.

Drinks

I chose freshly squeezed orange juice which came with blueberries floating in it.

Susan had wine, a Glass of White with the Appetizers and a Glass of Red with the main.

There was also still water in a Silver Turkish jug.

Starter

Village Butter SELECTION Lemon & mint-infused köy tereyag, served with artisan bread. The Bread was wrapped in cloth and delivered on a metal plate with a swan in the middle, The butter was in a bowl with Olive Oil and herbs.

Cold Appetizers

Duo of Meze

Shrimp ceviche, beetroot & aromatic cheese

Garden Salad

Cucumber, sour cherry, mint, herbs, honey & mustard dressing

This is the best salad I have ever had.

Pastirma

Cured beef, green apple, coriander, pineapple vinegar

Hot Appetizer

Kadayif Pastry

Crispy shredded pastry filled with minced beef, cinnamon & currants

Main Courses

We had to chose one of the following main courses:

• Slow-cooked Lamb Tandir
• Grilled Salmon
• Vegetable Casserole

Susan and I both choose the Slow-cooked Lamb Tandir, as the Manager had been telling us about it the day before and it looked and sounded amazing.

Dessert

Caramelized Peach

Caramelized Peach with Whisky reduction and almond ice cream.

Staff

All of the staff were very welcoming and they all came and said hello to us. Abdull the manager was very attentive and was there when we needed something, but also at the same time gave us our privacy to enjoy the experience.

Cats

It would be wrong of me not to mention the cats. There were 3 cats that I saw, two parents and their kitten. the father came early on and was curious as to who we were and what we we doing. The mother and the kitten were around most of the time and the mother obviously knew when the main course had been brought out.

The cats were definitely a highlight for Susan.

Overview

Overall the experience was amazing and we were treated very specially. The food was excellent, my favourites being the Garden Salad, the Pastirma especially with the burnt orange and the Caramelized Peach. The orange juice was some of the best that I have ever had.

I would definitely come back to this place, I just need to work out some cheap flights and come for a long weekend when it is not quite so hot. They also serve Breakfast and Lunch, which I need to look into.

If you are interested in going reach out to Abdull on their instagram.