Nusret When Nusret first opened in Etiler, we were there shortly after its opening and really enjoyed their pricey but high-theatre meaty delights.  Since then owner Nusret Gökce has become the international phenomenon that is #saltbae and they now have restaurants all over the place. These have not been universally successful or acclaimed and saltbae’s …

Acre It was rather lovely to spend our Saturday evening with MJ’s parentals, Sherry and Cliff, in local farm-to-table favourite Acre. MJ and I arrived a little ahead of schedule so took up station at the bar where I had a rather good Hemingway daiquiri. Sherry and Cliff soon joined us and we were quickly …

Oak It was time for my final meal in Charleston which was sad news indeed. I’ve felt so at home in this fantastic little city that it felt a real wrench to be leaving so soon. Oak steakhouse had been given quite the build-up by my friends Hande and Patrick who had described it as …

Bessie It was Sunday evening and Christchurch seemed eerily quiet. I’d spent part of the day understanding some of the impact of the 2010-11 earthquakes. The city is still peppered with crumbling buildings and a huge amount of reconstruction work. Coupled with quiet streets in the city centre, the effect was quite ghostly which I …

Black Cow After a cracking lunch at Stillwater, I was lamenting that I didn’t have a chance to visit for dinner. I had already arranged to eat in Black Cow for more steak-focussed delights. It was a pleasant surprise to find that it was in the same ownership as Stillwater, which I quickly worked out …