kara tahta

I really, really want to like "kara tahta". And I still do - sort of. Things started out so well, like in a brand new, exciting relationship. But somewhere along the way, there was a foundering, a displacement. 

If only the "help" hadn't come along and spoiled everything... where to begin?

Kara tahta is immediately opposite the Hamam on Şair Veysi Sokak. It's always looked cosy, had plenty of seating, and the punters generally seemed quite contented.

Thought I'd give it a go!

(Although I didn't try any, their freshly-squeezed orange juice looks sumptuous and the mama proprietess was diligently churning it out).

To my absolute amazement - they had a novel menu item! Jalapeno menemen.... A revelation! Someone give them a medal!

This is the kind of innovation I've often dreamed of...

And the prices were exTREMely reasonable to say the least - nothing over 6 TL in sight.

So, hanging with Sucuk, or Patates, or whatever the local dog's name is, I tucked in... :) 

Absolutely great. No complaints. Compliments to the old baba who's doing all the work in there. Afyet Olsun to everyone.

And along comes the most persistent problem on breakfast street. The waiters...

I'd first of all wanted a coffee with milk. It came back without - and there was no salt, pepper or sugar or napkins on my table. But this was just when the breakfast rush was starting, so no problem.

First, the old lady's daughter rocks up (to help out - I'm thinking) and pretty much does as little as humanly possible and picks her nose.

Next, at the stroke of 11, a dude comes along who seems full of energy. "Ah" I think,"this is the real muscle in the operation".

But sadly no. He exerted himself heroically sweeping, and clearing a few tables, but was so inefficient that it took me twenty minutes to get the bill. Which turned out to be absurdly wrong. And wrong in their favour. The delightful sweet and spicy taste of that jalapeno suddenly went an awful sour as I asked him, "What are you doing?" in incredulous, trying-not-to-sound-too-sarcastic Turkish. 

(Am I being too fussy given it is a cheap-ish place?)

Anyway, Sucuk was entertaining, 

Will return to try that yummy frothy orange juice and have another jalapeno menemen.

No wifi - but they have a toilet and there is evidence of weather-retardant sheeting and heaters at the ready for the winter that cometh.