"Chef Deniz Temel says his cooking tells a story about his nomadic roots. At Alaf Kuruçeşme, his dishes wander across Turkey, reflecting flavors and characteristics from seven regions. You can feel the heat and generosity of Şanlıurfa in his kıyma (soupy, cracked wheat salad served with meat tartar) and the breeze of the Aegean in the restaurant’s sea urchins. From the dried meat from Thrace to the selection of Anatolian cheeses, the gastronomic journey always feels fresh and exciting. The restaurant’s location overlooking the Bosphorus doesn’t hurt." - Tuba Şatana