In the News

by Keith Hodan/ Tribune-Review

Lots of events and classes going on at our Lawrenceville location. Check out its own site at http://www.istanbulpgh.com/ for more including belly dance class with Janim tonight and Ishtar, with Janim and Unsuk, on Friday Jan 22nd.

Still having after-hours with 25% of the door going to Haiti for the next five Saturdays. We’ve been in the news lately as well, check out the Press page for the latest.

Ishtar and il Troubadore Rock Out Istanbul

Event: Bellydance/BELLYROCKAPALOOZA

Date: Friday October 23rd, 2009

Time: 8:00 PM-11:30 PM

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Ishtar has been on vacation for a while. Join their  return to the Pittsburgh scene as a five piece BellyRock band with special guest dancers: Hakan, Nesheli, Janim, Kari, Laila, Mehira, Berna, Susan and many more. They’ll also be welcoming back il Troubadore, the 16th century folk band from Indianapolis

Cover is $10 for the show. BYOB corkage is $4

All ages show! Under 12 are $5. Under 6 are free.

ISTANBUL

4130 Butler St
Pittsburgh PA
Lawrenceville

From Your Inner Vagabond to Istanbul

Greetings!

These past two years in Pittsburgh have been a whirlwind for AJ & I.  We built YIV up into the Best Coffeehouse in Pittsburgh and things looked promising.  Sadly, changes in our lives & the economy meant changes in the fortunes of YIV.  We made the decision to sell the business at the end of summer.

The great news is that the new owners, Josh & Mindy are fantastically adept at running the place as an incredible, exotic eatery and the Back Lounge will continue to host those great world-class events you’ve come to expect. They also run the Istanbul Grill formerly of Shadyside and with a current location downtown at Liberty & Wood Sts).  They’ll be offering an extensive menu of Turkish & Mediterranean delights as well as coffees & teas.  They’ll also be expanding the hours to include breakfast & lunch:

They’ll begin their regular operations this Monday, October 12 at 7am.

Their Grand Opening will be on Friday November 14 – stay tuned for details!

Lawrenceville keeps growing and getting better, and we’re sure Josh & Mindy’s new place, now renamed ISTANBUL, will make a superb addition to the neighborhood and to Pittsburgh.  And don’t worry, in you’ll still be able to explore your inner vagabond!

It has been an honor to serve you.

-AJ & Andrew

ISTANBUL

4130 Butler St. @ 42nd

Lawrenceville

Pittsburgh, PA 15201

412-683-1623

HOURS

Monday thru Wednesday:      7am to 10pm

Thursday thru Saturday:         7am to 2am

Sunday:                                  9am to 5pm

Parking

There is FREE PARKING behind our building and in our parking lots on 42nd St. & Saint Johns Way; all along Butler St.; and the Citizen & PNC Bank lots. There is also a metered municipal lot right next door.

By Bus

Butler St. is serviced by 91A which stops in front of our door on 42nd St.

Or take the 54C, 86A or 86B to Penn & Main, walk down Main Street to the bottom, turn Right on Butler St. walk one block and look on your Right on the corner of 42nd St.

G-20 For the Birds

Some businesses closed down, some got bricks through their windows, Istanbul Grille got on tv feeding the birds the excess food due to slow business caused by the G-20. We hope you had a safe G20, and that the world saw how great Pittsburgh is, but we’re glad to get back to business as usual!

Slow Day for Open Downtown Businesses

Coskun on KDKA News

Istanbul in da’ Burgh

Istanbul Grill has been participating in the Venture Outdoors Free Family Outdoors Festivals all summer long. They have been held in the various Pittsburgh Public Parks. It has been great to see you all there. Here are some photos from our last Family Outdoors Festival of the summer, at Allegheny Commons Park on August 29th. Hopefully we will continue this tradition next summer!

Mustafa

Josh and Mindy

Mindy and Mustafa serve up some side dishes

Coskun “Josh” Gokalp

Shadyside Location Closed

Sorry for the inconvenience, we have had to close our Shadyside location. Thank you for your support and your continued patronage. Please stop by and visit us for lunch at our Downtown location (643 Liberty Avenue).  It is at the intersectino of Liberty Ave & 7th Street, catty-corner from the Wood Street Station, where Moby Fish used to be.

New Lunchtime Location

The Istanbul Grille satellite Turkish lunch counter is now serving at 643 Liberty Ave. This is near the corner of Liberty and 7th street, next door to the 7-11 and cattycorner from the Wood Street T Station (at wood & 6th ave). The Turkish food is takeout style with hot and cold dishes available. You can eat in as well, but seating is limited! The reviews are coming in already– check them out!!!

• Pop City- Istanbul Grille opens new downtown Pittsburgh location
• Post Gazette- Munch goes to the Istanbul Grille

Ishtar and Janim- March 20- Mark Your Calendars

and call for reservations!

Ishtar and Janim a Hit

The Ishtar/Janim performance on February 27th was a great success. The restaurant was packed full with no seat empty. Everyone enjoyed the music, atmosphere, and food. If you missed it, or you loved it and want more, Ishtar and Janim perform again on March 20th. The show starts at 8:30 pm. Call for reservations! 412.325.3347

Turkish Carpet Show

Stop by Istanbul Grille this evening (approximately 7-10pm) for a wonderful excursion into the world of Turkish carpets. No trip to Turkey is complete without purchasing a rug or kilim, and the event can take up much more time than you imagined. Each carpet has a story, and there are so many varieties of designs, colors, and materials. Deep reds and blues are more traditional colors, but nowadays the color palette is widely varied. The silk carpets are more expensive than the wool carpets, but it’s all a matter of taste in that point. The designs and patterns can be of a more symbolic nature or more decorative in purpose. To find out more about Turkish carpets, check out these great websites:

• All About Turkey- Carpets and Kilims
• Turkey’s Magic Carpets