When Toronto meets Istanbul

Just like a carefully woven, ornate Turkish kilim, Toronto has been blessed with the colourful woolen threads of diversity. People from all over the world collide as they call this zestfully dynamic city of lights their home. In a sense, to know this city, is to know the world. So much of our daily life, our reality and what we love about our city parallel what other people three thousand kilometers away from here love and enjoy about their own cities. In a way, we are experiencing a different version of the same moments. Knowing this breaks down the barriers of distance, making the world a bit smaller, bringing us all a little closer together.

I have written a series of articles that compare my lovely hometown city of Toronto and surrounding area to other cities I've visited throughout the world. Come along with me for the ride.

Kokorec to Street Meat

The distant cousin of the sausage, since the meat comes from similar parts of the cow instead of the pig, kokorec (pronounced “kokorech”) is a favourite among Turkish locals. The large metal dome that houses this tubular slab of meat on a skewer is either part of a restaurant’s rich offerings or can be seen moving through the busy streets of Istanbul. This tasty dish is served with or without bread, lettuce and tomatoes and is best consumed as a delicious conclusion to a night on the town.

“Street meat” or the glorified hot dog is available under umbrella covered stands across Toronto, multiplying the closer you get to major tourist attractions and the bar scene. The addition of a plethora of condiments are part of its charm, from bacon bits to sauerkraut, green olives to hot peppers along with your run-of-the-mill usual suspects, ketchup, mustard and relish. If you are tired of pimping up a boring old hot dog, Polish and Spicy Italian sausages are also cooked up to give a multi-cultural twist to this local favourite. These delightful meal replacements or grand finale’s to a weekend drinking session are a must-have for any Torontonian or tourist alike.

Leb-i Derya to Panorama

After hiking down a steep hill from one of the many alleyways along Istiklal Caddesi in Beyoglu, shortly after an elevator ride up to the 5^th floor, you will find yourself walking into a cozy, romantically lit restaurant/bar with the city lights surrounding you from ceiling to floor. When you order your drinks, and they bring a spread of nuts and olives alongside, you know you have come to the right place. Though it is out of character for such a view to come at an affordable price, this feature among many others, including the great service, gives its patrons reasons to keep coming back.

Towering over the downtown core of Toronto, boasting a view that would rival the CN Tower’s, Panorama offers a 360 degree view of the city that anyone would expect from the 51^st floor of a skyscraper. This bird’s nest restaurant/bar hosts many prestigious events and has become a hangout for anyone willing to pay a good penny for a high-class dining experience. Even though this stunning view, especially at dusk when natural lights meet the glow of the city, comes with a fairly expensive price tag, it’s well worth breaking the bank to make the trip.

Black Sea Region to The Kawarthas

Along the roads that lead you from the hustle and bustle of the highly populated streets of Istanbul, the simple line of pine trees paralleling the road make for a peaceful change. As you travel eastward, the air becomes crisper with the sweet smell of pine and everything slows down a little. Following along the Black Sea coast, it all feels and looks different. Is this Turkey, with its surplus of unique flora and fauna, rolling mountains and vast farmlands? The landscape reminds us of the Scottish highlands or even the North American countryside. The evening is the perfect time to relax at a seaside café or bar, order some delectable Karadeniz pide and soak up the lights of the towns along the coast. This coast is known for the most scenic views in the country, the salty water and the kindest people you’ll ever meet.

Vast terrains of green and quaint little towns bring the landscape of Northern Ontario together in one peaceful composition. Each mini-lake takes the name of its shape, be it Elephant, Dog or Bass, as they peak through the massive cottages and lakeside homes that are the summer residence of many well-off Ontarians. If you are lucky enough to own, rent or simply be invited to one of these glorious properties, you will be spoiled by the excitement that the water traffic has to offer during the day with seadoos, motorboats, kayaks and canoes across each lake. By night, as the mosquitoes come out to play, the adjoined lakes offer a comforting serenity that will put some to sleep and entice others to celebrate around a campfire with the melodies of a guitar, some marshmallows and good Canadian beer.