The new eatery/drinkery that's opened in Tom Tom in Beyoglu could be good or not. They recently sent out invitations. Canapes and a glass of wine to be enjoyed in the heated garden. This was October and it was chilly but it also involved a lot of smokers. As you know Istanbul is now the place where few venues allow or dare to let you smoke indoors. Thus any garden space with the promise of heating gets all the nicotine addicts out of the woodwork. Plus everyone is now looking for outside venues in the Beyoglu area given that all the tables have been taken from the sidewalk by local government decree. Paymane (the name of the restaurant) hosted some very nice canapes. Their one glass of wine (included in the cover charge) was not so great but got drunk nonetheless. However, it was noted that if you wished for a second glass you would have to pay the steepest price for wine (in this calibre of restaurant). No other bar/restaurant in Cihangir was as expensive and certainly no where in Tom Tom. We all know Cihangir's prices are steep, given that it has a village for local's atmosphere. Tom Tom is an area that is not. It has no other bars/restaurants to recommend you to come there. It has no other attractions. It doesn't even have decent parking. So why would you go there? No view, no atmosphere, no magic. Thus it is only Paymane that could attract you to the area and since their food, although nice is nothing too hugely exciting and the costs of their drinks are certainly no incentive to go. I could pay a lesser price for a glass of wine on a rooftop bar with stunning views. However, saying all that Paymane is a nice place but easily forgettable if you don't have an incentive to go back for. It's a pity since the Cihangir outdoor crowd are looking for another venue to meet and so far it's too pricey for them to go to, given it's a longer walk in a dark and uninteresting area. So Paymane drop your prices, do some seriously marketing to get back all those people who came a few weeks ago and who liked your place but ....well...not enough.
