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When I told people I was going to Turkey for my holiday this year I was either met with people who have never visited Turkey or people sporting a rather distressed look on their face from having unfortunately fallen victim to “brit-abroad” Turkey in the form of Marmaris and Gumbet. But I can assure you that Kalkan, the small fishing village I’m visiting at this very moment is gorgeous.
Having first visited Kalkan on a whim with my family 4 years ago it’s been a place we have longed to return to and although it has inevitably seen some changes, it’s charm is still breath taking. One thing that has always been a slight issue when I’m away on holiday is the choice of food, being a vegetarian (I know, I’ve heard it all) it’s usually the very hard decision between a Margherita Pizza or a Spaghetti Neapolitan, every day for a week! And before you say it, I know what you’re thinking ‘it’s your choice to be a vegetarian’ and yes it is although it doesn’t particularly agree with my body, so yes for years I have accepted that there will not be much choice for me when I’m away. But my current trip to Kalkan has proved that times may be changing and so far I’ve only had one pizza and no pasta! Thank the food gods.
Always excited to find something delicious and veggie friendly on a menu I am delighted to say I’ve eaten well this holiday, in a traditional Bedouin rooftop restaurant that was once an Olive Oil factory sits Belgin’s Kitchen a go-to culinary experience that will have you eating like a local in no time – I had their Vegetable Casserole served in a clay pot bursting with courgettes, aubergines, carrots, peppers and onions. A restaurant highly recommended to us was Salt & Pepper, new on the scene since our last visit years ago and owned by three business partners who have such a passion to become renowned for their world class service, presented us with a selection of dips and meze to start followed by Spicy Fajitas with Guacamole and Sour Crème. Last night we had a table booked at the best fish restaurant in Kalkan, and to be honest I was kind of dreading it, but I indulged in Stir Fry with Saffron Rice followed by a Chocolate Orange Cake. Tonight we’re off to none other than The Aubergine to celebrate my boyfriends 21st Birthday, there was nowhere else we could have spent it other than in the restaurant that stole our hearts, sat perched on the harbour side with beautiful food and an atmosphere that makes you feel like the world has stopped just for you. It is unlike any other.
I’m certainly not against meat and fish in the slightest, so when my family ordered their Fisherman’s Feast, Onion Steak with Mash and Sautéed Vegetables and Roasted Lamb with Rice and Vegetables as well as many other gorgeous looking dishes believe me when I say I was more than jealous!! It’s hard not to be. But I thank Kalkan for being so veggie friendly, hey I even heard there were a few vegetarian and vegan restaurants here, not that my family are keen to visit, I can’t think why…
By Talia Maguire
