Everyone has their favorite place to eat - that one spot that just fits your personality like a comfortable pair of jeans. Plus, we all know there are just some eateries that no one can do without and that in a pinch - never fail to please.

The restaurants and cafes we are about to mention are not just about good eats, but also about a certain type of ambiance. In 2003, the trend is terrific décor and great food with an emphasis on comfort, which means these are places you can go for a business lunch, get together with friends, a special tea, brunch, dinner, private party or just go solo and people watch without having to feel rushed or uncomfortable.

A touch of "Little Italy"
Little Italy is the famous Italian neighborhood in New York City, which boasts a host of great restaurants, romantic cafes and some classy Italian elegance. It would be a mistake to say that Ankaraians don’t love Italian cuisine as evidenced by the number of places that serve up pasta and pizza. Two of the top spots in Ankara that you can never miss with are Mezzaluna and Mest. What’s great about these two places is the difference in ambiance, which means you have a wonderful choice. Mezzaluna is in a class by itself as you can tell from its amazing architecture; you can catch a glimpse of it on Iran Caddesi, off Arjantin Street. This is a chic and stylish glass encased two-story restaurant, that can brag about some of the trendiest California style pizzas around plus a host of other wonderful Italian dishes like typical Italian pasta dishes along with meat and chicken dishes to wet your appetite. It’s definitely the place to see and be seen and is perfect any time whether you’re just popping in for espresso or to enjoy some serious dining. The first Mezzaluna opened in the neighborhood of Bilkent at the Ankuva Shopping Mall more than 5 years ago with great success and the new one has been open since last year to rave reviews. Expense goes along with style, but well worth the price.

Our other tried and true favorite is Mest, which means ecstatic in Turkish. The name definitely fits the place, situated in a charming, restored home. Mest is a place where you can truly say you always get a great meal! From start to finish, impeccable service, warm ambiance and great food is what keeps their loyal clientele coming back. Mest cuisine is a mix of Italian, Turkish and continental, with the focus on quality and presentation. Since Mest opened at least seven years ago, it’s been quite popular with some of Turkey’s most famous politicians, foreigners and dignitaries precisely due to its low-key style. If you enjoy a tranquil place where you are warmly welcomed and certain to feel right at home, then this is your spot!

Feel good "American" style fare in a great milieu
Amazingly, though Turks are loyal to their own cuisine, they just love American style, feel good food, like great burgers, french fries, big salads and stuff like club sandwiches. A big favorite on our list is CafeMiz, which means, "our café", perfectly appropriate since this is "the" most popular meeting spot for many, due in part to the attractive, glass encased design and charming garden environs. Since it opened more than six years ago, CafeMiz has never had a dull moment. Always packed with loyal customers and true to its tradition of large, fresh salads along with some typical Turkish and American fare, this is the place to go for nice long chats with friends, a buzzy, social ambiance and a super meal with quick service. It’s also a great people-watching venue!

Wanna see some stars? Movie stars that is!
We can’t say enough about another favorite from the same owners who started CafeMiz, the same wonderful service and delightful ambiance abound in this lovely, two-story restaurant. With the aim of always pleasing their customers, Budakaltý offers large portions and special menus for special occasions. The décor is understated and in the summer, the large garden area is open. This is another spot that is always crowded. It’s also a good place to spot your favorite Turkish TV stars like Hande Ataizi who loves coming here on Sundays when she’s in Ankara. Or you could spot famous politicians like Kenan Evren who also loves this place and used to dine here frequently while in Ankara.

Fresh from the sea, what will it be?
No fishy smell here! In fact, if you thought you could only find stuffed grape leaves in Turkey, wake up and smell the sea! Ankara has come a long way and part of that growth includes several seafood favorites that have so much to choose from, you won’t know what to try first. Located on Arjantin Street in the heart of Gaziosmanpasa (G.O.P.) is a cool looking three-story spot, first opened in 2002, with an even cooler name 312 Sushi Bar & Lounge, so named after Ankara’s 312 city code. Never mind the number though, because once you get the menu, you might get lost in a sea of choices, no pun intended!
With items like Kyoto California - a crabmeat, shrimp, avocado and flying fish roll, you can’t complain about lack of originality! Other scrumptious items include an array of seafood, beef and veggie tempuras plus the rainbow roll of tuna, salmon, avocado and sea bass. Don’t forget the Chinese menu with fried wonton and the usual specialities including duck with bamboo shoots and soy sauce. Better save room for dessert as you won’t want to miss any of these - chocolate mousse, green tea ice cream and the lemon parfait with rasberry sauce. Food aside though, the place is a virtual people watching haven with entertainers and all the typical political names frequenting this spot. Can you blame them, as the first floor is a sushi bar and Chinese restaurant, the second floor a lounge and bar and the third floor is the Sugar Room for members only and also for parties and functions. The best thing is that after your first time there you can be a member and get a 20% discount off all meals. The view from the street just makes you want to run right in, which we highly recommend!

Another place that always receives its share of kudos is Trilye, in Gaziosmanpasa on Resit Galip Street where you never fail to spot the famous, visiting dignitaries and top political people. Counted among those are the IMF group, former Minister of Foreign Affairs Ismail Cem, and former Minister of Sports Fikret Unlu. And rightly so, as this is one of the most unique seafood places in the city. It could best be termed as exotic, with a natural, Bodrum stone decor with beautiful tall, trees as part of the interior. What’s also eye catching is the menu with fashionable dishes such as octopus wrapped in phyllo; stuffed calamari with basil and tomato sauce; arugula with lemon sauce; and a dessert called cold orange soufflé with cherry sauce. Those are only a small part of the numerous choices at reasonable prices that you can find. Besides all that, Trilye is an official member of the French gastronomic organization, Chaines des Rotisseurs. With that kind of reputation, you can’t go wrong!

Taste Anatolia steps away from Ankara Castle
A fixture on the Ankara dining scene, in business for 47 years, Kale Washington, has a long-standing reputation among Ankara’s upper crust society. The name in English means Washington Castle and I guess you could say it’s quite appropriate since Hillary Clinton was among their clientele in the recent past. Kale Washington has seen a number of famous and honorable clientele including the Prince of Japan, prime ministers from a number of countries, UN dignitaries and a number of the famous political set.

We hear people come here for the food, that may be so, but I bet they also come for the great view and the super people watching possibilities since the restaurant is situated at the top of a high hill in the historical area by Ankara Castle. The menu is quite inexpensive and not just for a diplomat’s budget, which means that even students can eat here and not overspend. The menu includes the castle specialty, Castle Kebab served on a heaping platter with the house special recipe. There are plenty of delicious Turkish appetizers like stuffed cabbage and even stuffed carrots. You can also find beet soup and most of the courses revolve around meat dishes. They do have a fish specialty and vegetarians can partake of all the delicious appetizers. Desserts include typical quince and pumpkin desserts as well as chocolate soufflé.

Kale Washington is located in a restored Ottoman home in beautiful wood design with a modern décor as well as a nice, low-key ambiance. This is probably another reason why it is popular with the foreign crowd. If you have never seen this area, it’s worth a visit as it’s a page out of Ottoman history. You can see Ottoman style homes that have been converted into wonderful restaurants, a wonderful example of Turkey’s ancient past.

The best thing about all these spots is that they follow the trend in 2003 of combining great ambiance with comfort and giving all types of people an opportunity to come together to enjoy themselves. It’s clear that the future for restaurants and cafes won’t be limited to a "hard rock" mentality where only a young crowd is favored. This attitude is clearly passé, as evidenced by the friendly attitudes of the waitstaff and personnel in all of our favorites. Plus you can rest assured that whatever special request you may have, they will go out of their way to fulfill it as best they can.

Clearly, the trend of eateries to come are places that offer more warmth and more style with an eye toward providing the most complete services possible without interfering in the social milieu.
After all, isn’t it that "milieu" as the French say or that certain special synergy that give successful eateries their reputations?