The Peninsula Istanbul and Chef Fatih Tutak announced the opening of GALLADA and Topside Bar on July 7, 2023. This new dining and drinking experience in Istanbul combined Turkish and Asian flavors, taking guests on a contemporary gastronomic journey inspired by the historic Silk Road trade routes and their connection to the city.
Chef Fatih Tutak, drawing on his Turkish heritage and extensive travels in Asia, crafted refined menus that celebrated the culinary skills, techniques, and artistry that had evolved over centuries in this vast region.
The dishes at GALLADA showcased the flavors of distinct provinces throughout Türkiye, with a focus on specialty produce and a sustainable approach to sourcing. The menu featured a shared plates concept, inviting diners to enjoy the social aspect of dining with family and friends. From Adana kebab dumplings to wood-fired monkfish with black paste and yogurt, and finishing with desserts like warm Medjool date cake with masala tea and whipped buffalo cream, bold flavors took center stage.
Chef Fatih expressed his excitement about the opportunity to work on menus that highlighted the treasures and recipes connecting Istanbul to Asia and beyond throughout history. He was fascinated by the ancient paths of the Eurasian Silk Road and the gastronomic heritage they brought.
Located above the restaurant, Topside Bar offered an innovative cocktail selection inspired by flavors discovered along the Silk Road routes and influenced by maritime stories from the Bosphorus Strait. The bar boasted Istanbul cocktails with Douzico, Otto’s vermouth, fig and rose jam, and lime, as well as House of Wisdom cocktails with Mirra washed Rum, Antica Formula, Campari, Chocolate, and Falernum. The extensive drink menu included premium spirits, Turkish wines, local craft beers, and a tempting array of small plates curated by Chef Tutak.
GALLADA’s main dining room could accommodate up to 256 diners and featured exquisitely appointed spaces adorned with Turkish fabrics, fixtures, and tile mosaics. The room extended through a glass pavilion onto a grand alfresco terrace, where pomegranate trees and a cascading fountain provided stunning views of the Old City.
For private dining, there was an intimate space on the fifth floor above the main restaurant, adjacent to Topside Bar. With seating for up to 20 guests, this area showcased traditional Turkish craft, sharing stories of a city renowned as a crossroads of civilizations.
The design of Topside Bar took inspiration from a vintage grand yacht, adorned with memorabilia from boats, ships, and ferries found along the Bosphorus Strait. With upscale music programs and special conceptual events, the bar created a sense of community and welcomed both regulars and visitors. From lounge music and Eastern sounds during the day to Istanbul’s ethnic house beats in the evening, GALLADA and Topside Bar offered a vibrant, immersive atmosphere that took guests on a sensory journey.