Ringing in the Chinese New Year with Pop-Up Restaurant Istanbul

As to be expected, the past four years I’ve spent in Istanbul has seen a transition from new restaurants, new neighborhoods and the constant wonderment of new experiences to that of familiar locales, cuisines and social circles. For better or worse, I’ve come to find myself in the routine of a life that I love, but which also instills that familiar sense of guilt for not taking the opportunity to break away and encounter more of the city and its people.

Pop-Up Restaurant Istanbul happens to be one of those fresh and unique opportunities that I somehow consistently managed to miss, despite all the signs assuring that I’d delight in it. The pop-up restaurant concept is simple enough. Social media and word-of-mouth are utilized to promote a private, temporary restaurant for the night. A small group gathers at the secretly disclosed location and enjoys a meal provided by a (usually) up-and-coming chef, while having the chance to meet new people.

Pop-Up Restaurant Istanbul sticks pretty faithfully to the core formula. Limited to 20 guests who RSVP in advance via Facebook, the location of the dinner is sent out via e-mail with thorough directions and a brief guide to party protocol. For those wondering what exactly to expect, the guide offers a small preview of the night ahead (in addition to ensuring that people won’t commit a blatant faux pas after arriving).

The theme of this particular dinner was a celebration of the Chinese new year, specifically the year of the goat. Guests arrived with bottles in tow promptly at 20:00 to a private home perfectly decorated for the occasion. Despite a slight bout of cold feet from attending alone, I found all signs of nervousness fade away in the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Guests were quick to introduce themselves, sharing insight into their back-stories and knowledge of the night’s theme. In typical Istanbul fashion, the guest list was a truly diverse array of yabangees and locals alike. Moreover, one got a real sense that the roads which led us all to the sharing of this particular pop-up meal were vast in their differences, an exciting addition to the sensation of trying something new.

After a brief window allotted for introductions, guests were asked to take their seats. The tables, thoughtfully laid out with authentic Chinese new year decor, were a pleasant surprise. Places were already assigned, ensuring that guests mixed together and encountered new faces. Each guest would find an envelope and scroll at their seat, containing a traditional Chinese idiom to reflect on in the new year, in addition to information regarding one’s Chinese zodiac sign. As someone who is woefully oblivious to all things zodiac, I found the individually detailed information to be a really considerate gesture in helping connect to the night’s theme.

The dinner progressed in the most astoundingly delicious of fashions, reminding me that I would never make it as a food critic, because I genuinely thought each dish was perfectly delectable in its own right and thus impossible to outdo.  The courses never seemed to stop arriving from the kitchen, as we happily passed the giant plates around to make sure everyone got their fill. I was a particular fan of the beef with celery in oyster sauce, although the whole-steamed Sea Bream in spicy black bean sauce was a worthy rival as well. As we progressed through the first few dishes, I was amazed at how the food seemed to pour from the kitchen to our plates. I prepared myself to roll home, with self-delusional promises of gym memberships and distance running.

As we ate, drank and carried on in our general merriment, I had the pleasure of getting to know some of the attendees a bit better. My area was primarily represented by a small British contingency, sharing stories of life, love, politics and general expat experiences in the chaos of Istanbul. The longer the meal went on, the more natural the conversation became. I found myself pledging to attend future pop-up events in hopes of getting to know some of the guests who I didn’t have a chance to properly engage with, but who seemed likely to attend again.

Ultimately, the element that tied everything together was our absolute superstar of a host, Kay Redrup. She has yet to be mentioned, as she would otherwise steal the show from this humble piece. After over two decades of living in Istanbul, Kay has established herself as somewhat of a culinary legend in these parts. From beginning to end, Kay was on her A-game making sure that the food and drink kept flowing, alongside the conversation and positive vibes. From explaining the holiday and its traditions, to describing the dishes as they arrived, to eventually settling down and joining the guests for post-dinner conversation, she kept the heart of the evening beating strong. There was even a timely and intimate “story time” that functions as a staple of all Kay’s pop-up events and could easily take on a published work of its own.

For those who have teetered on the edge about embracing the pop-up lifestyle, I strongly suggest taking the plunge. You won’t regret it. My only fear is that if they get so popular, reserving a space may become a near impossibility. For now, the success and positive reviews of Pop-Up Restaurant Istanbul seem to guarantee that there will be many events to choose from in the coming months. You can keep up with all the upcoming events via the official Facebook page.