I recall memories from my childhood where Istanbul was a multi-cultural city. I understand that now it was the last reminisces of forgotten past where Muslim Turks lived side by side their Armenian, Greek and Jewish neighbours, celebrating one another’s festivals and holy days, paying a visit to one another on their days of happiness as well as grief. Those days are long gone now. Multi-cultural İstanbul with its Greek taverns, Orthodox Churches, Jewish Synagogues and Armenian restaurants are thing of the past. That is except for Jash.
Jash is a restaurant famous with its Armenian cuisine in the heart of Cihangir. I had heard of it time and again and was so curious to discover it. I recall my mom telling me how talented the Armenian women were with their dishes and how delicious Armenian cuisine was. It was only this summer that I was lucky enough to be invited to a re-union dinner with old friends.
Jash is a small gem in the heart of Cihangir in a small shop hidden behind trees on Cihangir Street. It is a very cosy restaurant with a refined decoration, welcoming owners and delicious cuisine. Our evening being the mid summernight’s dream it was, we spent the evening around a table in front of the shop surrounded by trees, isolated from the pedestrians walking by.
We have visited the upper floor of this cosy restaurant where you can see an old piano, paintings and Ottoman fermans next to the photograph of one of the most important photographers of Istanbul Ara Güler who has an Armenian heritage. He recently passed away and we owe the great master a deep gratitude for all the photographs of İstanbul he has taken and which have been symbols of this majestic city.
This summer, do yourself a favour and reserve a table at Jash, Cihangir and savour moments with loved ones or old friends drinking rakı and tasting the beautiful ‘meze’s and dishes of Jash. Maybe, it can give you a glimpse of an old Istanbul where all differences lived side by side in harmony!
Visit Jash at http://www.jashistanbul.com/hikayemiz/
