Can't Get Enough Food

I had the most fantastic meal at Yosun's two nights before I left Bozcaada. I don't know why but they love me and give me special treatment, prices and extras. I hope I can duplicate at least their salads. They will definitely be on my dinner party menus.

The salads here, as I've said before, have parsley, dill and mint in them. That night it was just those three main ingredients and it was perfect. It was the dressing, which had a tiny bit of the exceptionally delicious extra virgin olive oil, Bozcaada has some of the best I've ever tasted. But the kicker was the pomogranite juice and seeds.

I also had stuffed grilled squid with dill flavored cheese; pine nuts and cardamon rice stuffed squash blossoms; roasted red peppers stuffed with herbed cream cheese; and the best, which Yusef always treats me to, a toro type sashimi - fatty raw fish that melts in your mouth.

Lisa makes perfect el dente pastas, crispy pizzas, and authentic stir fries. Her cheesecake is the best I've ever had. I use to think Cafe Grecos or L'Osteria del Forno in San Francisco had the best. Both are Italian sytle as is Lisa's, but Lisa's beats them out. Forget that awful Cheesecake Factory shit! But since I obviously eat at Lisa's often I decided to go back to Yosun's for my last meal.

Unfortunately, I was so upset about leaving Bozcaada I could barely eat. Still I ordered three mezes and two glasses of wine like I did the night before. It was all delicious but because of my state I couldn't enjoy it as much. I was sure the bill would be the same as last night 25 trl ($15). I never asked the prices at Yosun's. I usually got what Yusef suggested. I have never paid more than 25trl, but unlike any other time I guess tonight the owner was there. I was shocked when I saw that my bill was 50 trl! I didn't have enough money on me and had to run to Lisa's house to get my credit card. Yusef and Ercon, my other buddy, were embarassed but it wasn't their fault. It didn't stop me from crying as I said goodbye.

I then went to Lisa's Cafe and said goodbye to her employees; Jon who made me practice Turkish and make me say it correctly and sweet tiny Merve who always wore the most adorable clothes. I was crying big time then and I cried as I said goodbye to all of Bozcaada as I made my way back to Lisa's house to sleep. I was catching the early ferry off the island in the morning.