[EXPAT PROFILE] Creating Cihangir’s newest taste sensations

Speaking about her new venture, Maia said: “I now run a café with my friend, Kay. To keep things simple, we decided to call it Maya and Kay’s Kitchen. I’m really happy with the customers who come to our restaurant. During the recent Georgian/Russian conflict many of our customers showed me much concern -- I did not expect this. It was so nice of them. We have no waiter, we have no cook; we do everything ourselves. We make the best dumplings -- from Circassian, Georgian, Chinese, Italian to Russian vareniki. Kay and I both love cooking, so it was natural to start our business.”

The dumplings are the dishes that have made them an instant hit. However, these are no ordinary dumplings. Each is distinctly different in taste, texture and appearance. Customers quickly find their own favorites from the ever-expanding list, often returning every week for more comfort food from their homelands.

Even though their assortment of dumplings from around the world features highly on the menu, Maya and Kay’s Kitchen is quickly gaining a reputation as the place to go for a wide variety of home-cooked food. The menu is constantly changing as they try out new dishes, much to their loyal clientele’s delight. Both Maia and Kay make regular trips abroad and they are constantly bringing back new culinary treats to create in the restaurant. In their continuing search for ingredients to perfect their menu, they now grow their own lemon grass, and they smoke the salmon for the smoked salmon tortellini. In addition, they make their own sauces, jams, jellies and breads.

The daily specials are not to be passed over lightly. Recent offerings have included falafels, tandori chicken salad and noodle-filled spring rolls with a spicy chili sauce for dipping. No alcohol is served at the restaurant, but their homemade blackcurrant juice and flavored lemonades wonderfully compliment any meal. Make sure, though, to leave room for their selection of rich desserts to top off your meal.

The care and love that Maia and Kay put into their food are reflected in every bite. As the menu expands and new dishes are perfected, there is even more reason to keep coming back. Starters cost YTL 2-7, entrees and salads are YTL 7-13 and their French press coffees are a steal at just YTL 4.