Ski resort dining at its most chic in Kartalkaya
Güncelleme Tarihi:
by Mina Erçel
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Ocak 23, 2009 00:00
BOLU - Kartalkaya’s boutique hotel Golden Key is the most stylish and well-designed boutique skiing hotel in Turkey. Its a la carte dining restaurant, Brasserie, offers skiers and non-skiers alike a chance to get Italian fine dining up to mountain in a chic setting
As the skiing season begins to peak, winter sports lovers head to the mountains in search of white powder- like snow and of course in the case of Turkey Ğsocializing and dining. For those who want to stay in style and follow the latest trend in boutique skiing hotels, Kartalkaya’s Golden Key Hotel is a distinctive destination.
If Kartalkaya, only a few hours drive from Istanbul or Ankara, was to be judged purely on its downhill runs, the skiing is quite limited in comparison to larger skiing resorts. Yet the same cannot be said for its restaurants Ğ most notably the Italian Brasserie inside the Golden Key Hotel.
Avant-garde setting
The modern exterior of the Golden Key Hotel was designed by French architect Lea Invent and its interior by Barbara Pensoy. Avant-garde, edgy and certainly different, Golden Key Kartalkaya is a weird but wonderful mix of mountain traditions with funky detail and modern touches. The restaurant also reflects this atmosphere: Brasserie is right at the entrance to the hotel and is placed cozily next to a fire place and an extended bar.
Golden Key’s Brasserie does not have a sloppy, fast food menu unlike several other dining areas in skiing resorts. The selective menu is mostly fine Italian cuisine, the highlight being the risotto and lamb dishes. For a starter, the grilled calamari salad is zesty and chewy, an excellent option as it is tricky to find seafood variety in the mountains. Large and filling strips of grilled calamari are placed on top of a bed of fresh greens and tomatoes. The soup of the day is generally vegetable based and great for warming those who have been out on the cold slopes.
For a second course, the risotto here is almost as good as the risotto in Papermoon or Da Mario in Istanbul. Served as a choice of mushrooms and original beet risotto, this fine Italian dining treat is pleasantly surprising on the mountain top. Brasserie’s pizza is prepared in a brick oven in the back of the restaurant. Although a bit soggy and not too crispy, the mozzarella and tomato pizzas are tasty fuel for skiers.
The hunter’s chicken platter is a favorite among diners, served with grilled vegetables and a creamy potato puree. Meat dishes include the Brasserie burger with fries and daily lamb dishes.
For dessert, the Italian classic of tiramisu is very popular. Creamy and fresh, the tiramisu is wonderful for those craving something authentically sweet. Warm chocolate cake is also appealing, it is a rich milk chocolate mush, a souffle-like cake dessert.
In addition to the flavorsome espresso shots, the organic green tea inside a French press mug is a fine way to finish off a meal. Although the dcor and food is top notch, the restaurant is lagging behind in service and staff awareness. The prices are similar to a fine Italian restaurant in Istanbul, 50 to 75 Turkish lira per person, excluding alcohol.
It is certainly worth trying when one is visiting Kartalkaya. Although not as crowded or happening as the cafe Chocolate nearby, Brasserie is a breath of fresh air as a mountain dining choice.
Golden Key Lodge
Oteller Mevkii, Köroğlu Dağları
Kartalkaya - BOLU
Tel: +90 374 234 5059
If Kartalkaya, only a few hours drive from Istanbul or Ankara, was to be judged purely on its downhill runs, the skiing is quite limited in comparison to larger skiing resorts. Yet the same cannot be said for its restaurants Ğ most notably the Italian Brasserie inside the Golden Key Hotel.
Avant-garde setting
The modern exterior of the Golden Key Hotel was designed by French architect Lea Invent and its interior by Barbara Pensoy. Avant-garde, edgy and certainly different, Golden Key Kartalkaya is a weird but wonderful mix of mountain traditions with funky detail and modern touches. The restaurant also reflects this atmosphere: Brasserie is right at the entrance to the hotel and is placed cozily next to a fire place and an extended bar.
Golden Key’s Brasserie does not have a sloppy, fast food menu unlike several other dining areas in skiing resorts. The selective menu is mostly fine Italian cuisine, the highlight being the risotto and lamb dishes. For a starter, the grilled calamari salad is zesty and chewy, an excellent option as it is tricky to find seafood variety in the mountains. Large and filling strips of grilled calamari are placed on top of a bed of fresh greens and tomatoes. The soup of the day is generally vegetable based and great for warming those who have been out on the cold slopes.
For a second course, the risotto here is almost as good as the risotto in Papermoon or Da Mario in Istanbul. Served as a choice of mushrooms and original beet risotto, this fine Italian dining treat is pleasantly surprising on the mountain top. Brasserie’s pizza is prepared in a brick oven in the back of the restaurant. Although a bit soggy and not too crispy, the mozzarella and tomato pizzas are tasty fuel for skiers.
The hunter’s chicken platter is a favorite among diners, served with grilled vegetables and a creamy potato puree. Meat dishes include the Brasserie burger with fries and daily lamb dishes.
For dessert, the Italian classic of tiramisu is very popular. Creamy and fresh, the tiramisu is wonderful for those craving something authentically sweet. Warm chocolate cake is also appealing, it is a rich milk chocolate mush, a souffle-like cake dessert.
In addition to the flavorsome espresso shots, the organic green tea inside a French press mug is a fine way to finish off a meal. Although the dcor and food is top notch, the restaurant is lagging behind in service and staff awareness. The prices are similar to a fine Italian restaurant in Istanbul, 50 to 75 Turkish lira per person, excluding alcohol.
It is certainly worth trying when one is visiting Kartalkaya. Although not as crowded or happening as the cafe Chocolate nearby, Brasserie is a breath of fresh air as a mountain dining choice.
Golden Key Lodge
Oteller Mevkii, Köroğlu Dağları
Kartalkaya - BOLU
Tel: +90 374 234 5059