The Chef Who Already Knows You
All credit to Chef Burcu
Last night I had the chance to experience Sini Ethnic Omakase — and I walked out asking myself: how had I not discovered this place sooner?
Tucked inside Tarlabaşı, easy to miss from the street, but once you step through the door you enter an entirely different world. Inside, there are just two tables, with a maximum capacity of four to six guests. Which makes the whole experience feel incredibly personal.
The fact that it has been open since 2020 and still feels like a hidden treasure is remarkable in itself.
The atmosphere? Warm, intimate, and completely at ease. You don't feel like you're in a restaurant — you feel like you're being hosted at the home of a very talented friend who happens to cook extraordinarily well.
But what impressed me most was what happens after you make your reservation. Before your visit, Chef Burcu sends a small form with the following questions:
- The meal of your life
- Your favourite ingredients
- Ingredients you'd rather avoid
- Your preferred meat
- Your preferred seafood
- Your preference on raw fish
- Your spice tolerance
- Any allergies
That level of attention and care genuinely moved me. Because this is not a standard omakase — the menu is built entirely around your palate.
The result? An umami celebration from start to finish. Every dish is balanced, technical, creative, and deeply considered. Nothing is random. Every bite has a story. And knowing that the chef has truly taken the time to understand you before you even arrive elevates the entire experience.
In short — you don't just eat here. You live a personal gastronomic experience.
If you're looking for a special evening, a celebration, or simply a quiet gift to yourself — Sini should be at the very top of your list.
Highly recommended.
Sini Ethnic Omakase, Tarlabaşı, Istanbul. Reservations essential.
