Just returned from Calis (even though Kiss collapsed !!).
We have been coming to Calis for 6 years. The food when we first came was excellent, but, as commented on CBF, there had been a decline in the standard of food, and the portion sizes.
Yes indeed we used to get a starter and every meal ended with complimentary fruit and tea or coffee on the house but, Calis people have to make a living, same as anybody else and business is business !.
I say had, because it has most definitely improved again. That is the power of this site !!!
Bella Mamas - everyone raves about and it is a lovely meal no doubt. I never really get a turkish feel, which in an italian restaurant is to be expected. I always feel they are so slick in their service,
but feel that is more to get the next people in, but then thats business. Got a fantastic penthouse suite though on the roof top (if you can afford it)
Bombay Palace- again in turkey, but not quite turkish. Nice for ex pats pining for an indian meal. What a meal though. Very very tasty and the entertainment sitting on that set of traffic lights !! You could sell seats just to watch. Good meal if you need an indian whilst in turkey!
Serkul 2 - Spend as long as you like. Relaxed atmosphere, lovely food. An ottoman casserole which was lovely but would have preferred to order a day in advance to really let the meat cook through. Lovely flavours but meat needed more time.
Orient Express - again another favourite on CBF and deservedly so. You can still get turkish tea !!! That might seem an odd statement but we keep asking for cay (sorry no accents on this keyboard ) and we get liptons tea bag in a mug !! Come on guys what is that about. Well done Orient keep serving that cay - not to mention all the delicious meals, so pleasantly served.
Harem - as ever a beautiful meal - meatballs were lovely as was the steak my husband had. The second time we ate there we had the fish in sea salt - very impressive. With a days notice so the right fish can be bought - lagos - the skin is thicker and therefore better for the sea salt recipe ! Great service - always with courtesy and respect (there are some pics on the sea salt fish on CBF!)
Anna's -opposite the Genpa - we stayed here and the atmosphere was lovely. Great job being done there and the food is of a really good standard. We tended to have breakfasts and snacks - the pancakes are to die for !
Guverns - we walked down to the other side of town on a few occasions ! Great place, nice beach, no hassel. The pide is gorgeous and well worth a visit.
Fish market Fethiye - always stars on CBF and no wonder. They ran around with fans and umbrellas to keep us and the wine cool. The food is superb. We tend to walk into Fethiye and back again when we go to the fish market. It was hot hot hot. My fingers started to swell on the way back !! Oh but it was worth it - lovely.
Sat beach bar. When it first opened it seemed to struggle - a little pricey and then it appeared to change hands a couple of times . Well done guys on creating a beach club. Great beach with outside facilities loo, shower, drinks, snacks etc. We spent the day there and decided to indulge in a meze each!! With a beautiful bottle of wine, hot and looking out over the med - absolute luxury. The price is not a give away but you do get what you pay for. I couldn[t afford to go everyday but what a special lunch. yumm
Denis the menace - staring this year with three very strong characters there - Denis Gurbuz and Rushie. Lovely meals and nice to see the comfy chairs out the front so when you finish your meal (and wine) you can relax with a coffee and watch the world (and various sights) go by.
Annas - on the sea front by far takes the prize this year. Ottoman kabab - not like the kebabs we have at home! A skillet of the most succulent meat (I had chicken - husband has lamb) in a gorgeous sauce. Relaxed - Wine was spot on. Coffees are great. Water pipe a different experience from camel non filter !! The turkish coffee was just fab - sweet and delicious. The ottoman clay pot makes the meat so tender and to see the top of the pot hacked off with a clever gives such an authentic turkish feel !! A must ! x
Portion sizes, and quality of food has improved. The guys there all work so hard all season, to accommodate everyone. Please though, keep the turkish elements - I hate seeing tomato sauce, mayonaise and liptons tea in such a rich and colourful culture. There is a balance between meeting the needs of visitors whilst maintaining your own cultural diet.
In short, I find it hard to get a bad meal in Calis. On reflection perhaps that comes down to what you order, and where ?
Well done Calis Beach and thank you x x