Since the GF and I went our separate ways for lunch I took the opportunity to try what is supposed to be one of the best purveyors of kokoreç, a Greek/ Turkish/ Balkan speciality of grilled lamb intestines stuffed with sweetbreads here, in Turkey, usually eaten as a sandwich. it is rather well-named since the pronunciation is almost identical to ‘cockroach’. I thought it was quite tasty with a good contrast of textures, good chilli and cumin flavouring (unlike its tragic equivalent I tried, with much excitement, in Palermo once), no hint of the farmyard left, and went well with the light and crispy baguette. But definitely drunken food, not exactly a light afternoon lunch, even though it was quite small, about half the length of a small baguette. So definitely aptly named, in its way.
Some relatives are coming to visit next weekend, so I will have the long-awaited chance to try some of the best meaty foods in the city. Tastes differ, and I think some will prefer trendy or stylish places over well-reputed old dives, but still it’ll be nice to explore the food of this city – still not on my own terms, but at least on different terms, filling in a little more of the landscape.