I’ve had my first look inside Şişhane’s new favorite bar Baylo Bistro & Bar, a cozy, semi-chic venue, which carries a very unique feel that takes you away from Istanbul and into a distant land, somewhere along the lines of Manhattan.

Billed as a neighborhood bar and bistro, Baylo Bistro & Bar was opened by a team of two ladies, Güldal Seçener and Neslihan Sağlamer, who saw a need for down-to-earth drinking and dining in Istanbul. Located on Meşrutiyet Caddesi (a few steps away from Bird), this is an ideal date destination, with seductive lighting, historic setting, and tables-for-two (perfect for tête-à-têtes).

The building that Baylo is situated in was built in the 1870s by the Kamondo family (you may have heard of them from the famous Kamondo staircase in Karaköy). Before Baylo opened its doors in October 2011, the building went under a serious three-year restoration. Now, Baylo’s interior is the ideal mix of the old and the new: the ceiling and walls carry the worn-out glory of the old days, the antique mirror by the bar gives a sense of beautiful imperfection, while the modern seating and tableware remind us that we’re in fact dining in the 21^st century.

One of the highlights of the décor is the use of aged brass, which is particularly appealing at the bar. Large, white candles and golden candlesticks are placed all around the venue. An earlier work of the young Turkish artist Lara Kamhi hangs on one wall, a long mirror with a black-and-white photo of old Istanbul in the middle hangs on another.

Right by that mirror is the only table that can seat 8-10 people. Inside, by the bar, there are three tables for two. The outdoor dining area, which has five round tables for 2-4 people, is well-heated, so all the tables are filled, even on cold days. The bar, which features black-and-brown bar stools by Aziz Sarıyer of Derin Design, is designed to allow for comfortable seating while eating.

The venue carries a slightly nostalgic, quite romantic, and all in all, a very comforting feel - all thanks to Bülent Güngör of B-Design. When you step inside, Baylo’s interior centers on the bar, yet the menu offers much more than finger food. The something-for-everyone menu offers soup of the day (which is always something out of the ordinary like chestnut, pea, carrot, or beetroot soup), salads (caprese salad, goat cheese salad, and salmon salad), charcuterie plate, mains (Super Hamburger, Chicken Schnitzel, Pork Sausage) and more, all prepared by the young and talented Berk Baysan.

On our visit to Baylo on a Thursday evening, we went for the mixed charcuterie plate, which was a delicious serving of gouda, roquefort, brie, parmesan, gruyere cheese from Kars, bresaola, prosciutto, ham, smoked beef, and Italian Salami. This generous charcuterie plate was a great starter for two. If you’re a vegetarian, you can opt for the cheese plate.  

Following an appetizing mix of cheese and meat, I had the beetroot soup, which, when sprinkled with a generous amount of parmesan, is truly divine. For mains, I opted for the Tagliata. Topped with fresh arugula, the beef tenderloin slices were cooked to perfection. The home-made fries that it came with were scrumptious – they are on the thin line between fries and chips – round and very crispy, with a surprisingly soft center. Yum times ten!

Another item that is sure to dazzle is the Super Hamburger, made with a variety of spices and served in ciabatta bread with home-made fries. Since the venue is quite new, additions to the menu are soon to be finalized – like the fırın makarna (oven-baked pasta), a typical home-made dish, which will be offered with a Baylo twist.

Much like the menu, the crowd is a pleasant mix as well - mostly 30+ during the week but slightly younger on weekends. The venue starts to fill up at around 7:30pm and there’s a nice circulation from then on. Everybody is smartly dressed without being particularly over-dressed, casual but not in an I-just-rolled-out-of-bed look. The venue has a steady stream of its frequenters, neighborhood professionals, and tourists - in for a cocktail with a colleague by the bar, dinner and longed-for chats, or the glorious charcuterie plate and a glass of wine.

A rotating group of five female DJs are in charge of the turntable on Fridays and Saturdays (and sometimes during the week), playing whatever suits the mood on a particular day, from 80s to lounge, from indie rock to nu jazz. A London-based DJ company is in charge of the music when the girls are not around, playing a range of unfamiliar songs that instantly feel familiar. Although the venue never turns into a full-blown club, the music picks up after 10:30pm, and people start to dance around, especially on weekends.

If you’re in for the post-dinner bar scene, try the Green Apple Martini, which is ideal for those after a sweet cocktail, or the Baylo Rose, made with prosecco and martini rosato, if you’re after something bitter.

If you live or work near Şişhane, make sure you try this inviting neighborhood bar for an after-work get-together. If not, rest assured that Baylo’s cuisine and atmosphere create a lush pairing that is well-worth the trip.

Baylo Bistro & Bar, Asmalımescit Mahallesi Meşrutiyet Caddesi No. 107A, Beyoğlu; P: (0212) 243 60 18