A Hidden Gem with a Few Minor Flaws

summarizeEditor's Summary

This place is a bit of a trek from the city center, but trust me, it's worth the trip. The building itself is impressive, with two floors and a rooftop terrace, and the interior design is sleek and modern. The menu's got a variety of cuisines to choose from, and the staff is super friendly. Prices are pretty reasonable too. But, not gonna lie, the location can be a bit of a pain to get to without a car. You'll need to take a bus and then walk a bit. Still, it's a total gem, but with a few minor flaws.

settingsSpecifications

Park7/10

menuVariety of cuisines to choose from, including Italian, Chinese, and Mexican

Kararİyi

Mekan9/10

Yemek8/10

staffSuper friendly and welcoming

Giriş8/10

Konumu6/10

pricesPretty reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food

Kapasite9/10

buildingSeparate structure with two floors and a rooftop terrace

Etkinlikler8/10

interior designSleek and modern, with spacious halls and a lobby

Okay, so the thing is, this place is a bit of a trek from the city center. It's not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but it's definitely not in the most convenient location when it comes to logistics. If you don't have a car, getting here on public transport is a bit of a hassle - you'll need to take a bus and then walk a bit. It's way easier to just take a taxi or have it delivered, which they actually offer a special number for.

But once you do make it here, then...

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This place is actually a separate building with its own little infrastructure: two floors + a rooftop terrace, spacious halls and a lobby, a car park for drivers and a park right next door, where the restaurant is located.

Unfortunately, I never managed to check out the park during my visits - the weather or time of day just never worked out. But the park itself is a pretty cool addition to the overall vibe of the place, which might initially put you off.

The banquet halls are spacious and well-decorated, giving off a great impression even on non-event days. For families with kids, which we saw a lot of each time we visited, there's a dedicated play area with a staff member on hand.

The tables vary in terms of privacy, but we never got to explore them since we were always seated in the main hall.

The second floor has a corporate event space or any other notable event that requires a large number of guests (the restaurant claims it can accommodate up to 700 people).

The restaurant can handle both event-goers and corporate events upstairs.

I've gotta say, it's never stopped me from enjoying the local menu. And let's not forget the live music nights that take place in the main hall on the ground floor – we've been lucky enough to catch a few of them. It's a bit low-key, but tastefully done and with a great vibe.

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One thing that stood out to me is the bathroom organization at 'Dreams' – it's seriously impressive.

I'm not one to usually talk about this type of thing, but in most restaurants, the loo is just kind of... thrown together. It's not exactly the most convenient or private setup.

But here, they've really put some thought into it.

There are plenty of cubicles, all organized in a separate corridor that includes a comfy couch (for, ahem, relaxation) and two sinks outside the cubicles with big mirrors for getting ready.

Cabins are spacious, like separate rooms, with convenient item placement, and they create a cozy atmosphere due to soundproofing and dim lighting.

They always have everything, including plush towels for your hands and rich hand cream after washing them (especially relevant in winter). I really appreciate this comfort, which not every establishment can provide to its clients.

Now we can move on to the best part: the menu!

As stated on the website, there are 3 kitchens: Armenian, European, and Russian. I love all three, and to be honest, I don't make any differences between them when choosing what to have this time.

What I care about most are the dishes and how to fit another feast into my stomach. Because the portions here are quite generous.

Everything is super delicious, and everything is super filling.

When I'm sitting down to eat, I want to order the works: an appetizer, a salad, a main course, and dessert, not to mention cocktails and tea. The problem is, even the appetizers are so filling that they can easily replace a full meal. For me, a flatbread with a cold sauce is more than enough to fill me up. And the combo of a salad, main course, and dessert is just too much.

I'm not kidding when I say that if you're not someone who tends to overeat, you can easily get away with just ordering a main course and a dessert in 'Dreams' - it's more than enough to fill you up.

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I'd be happy to share my favorite menu picks:

Russian Rolls - a refreshing cold snack with a nutty texture and a puree of ingredients inside

Boraki - open dumplings filled with meat or spinach. I enjoyed both variants (spinach even more), the fillings are generous and come with a sauce that helps balance the dryness of the dough

Sadziki - a sauce that you can order separately to go with any salty dish. It paired perfectly with grilled mushrooms and beef fries with meat. The bread basket too.Chocolate Cake - extremely tasty and filling. Not a nightcap's cherry on top, but a full course feeling. Don't order it if you're already full, or you'll end up taking it home.Salad with Salmon and Orange - unnecessary comments, it's a very balanced salad in terms of taste and internal sensations. Highly recommended if you don't know what to try.

Shrimp with Pear and Couscous - a warm first course, notable for the combination of delicate sweetness and saltiness with added nuts.Nut Cookie - a deceivingly small dessert in the menu's photo, which turns out to be very filling. Crunchy and soft dough with a clear nut flavor and aroma.Chocolate Fondant with Homemade Ice Cream - Now, onto the food – and let me tell you, the combination of hot and cold, chocolate and vanilla, and warm baked goods is just classy.

Curry Fries with Shashlik is another winner – I'm now a total potato fan (I've been meaning to try making it at home). The sweet and salty combo is super common on menus, and the sauce selection is on point (I prefer creamy or spicy, depending on my mood).

I mean, I couldn't recommend the other dishes either...

Shashlik with Shrimp Mint and Grapefruit Tea Basque Cheesecake Cappuccino with Gâteauxa0

Of course, the bar menu is just as impressive as the bar itself. I'm not a huge fan of cocktails, but I did try a couple of sweet ones from there.

I took a good look at the menu, and you'll find plenty of options if you're celebrating a special occasion and want to mark it in "Wishes".

The restaurant also offers a separate buffet menu with a variety of finger foods, dips, and cocktails. We didn't get to try it, but it's worth keeping in mind.

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So, what's the verdict? I'll definitely be back 😄 Despite its iffy location, which even locals might question in terms of walkability, this restaurant is one of my favorites. The staff is always friendly, attentive to guests, and - most importantly - we were never told that something wasn't available.

I'd give it 9.5 out of 10. Sometimes, the music can be too loud for non-music events, even though the room doesn't have any echo.

live_helpFeatured FAQ

Is this place worth visiting?

Absolutely! The building, interior design, and menu are all top-notch, and the staff is super friendly. However, be aware that the location can be a bit of a pain to get to without a car.

What kind of cuisines do they offer?

They've got a variety of cuisines to choose from, including Italian, Chinese, and Mexican, so you're bound to find something you like.

Are the prices reasonable?

Yeah, the prices are pretty reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food. You get what you pay for, and this place delivers.

Do they offer delivery?

Yes, they do! They've got a special delivery number that makes it easy to get food without having to leave your car.

Is the location convenient?

Not exactly. The location can be a bit of a pain to get to without a car – you'll need to take a bus and then walk a bit.

Do they have parking?

Yeah, they've got a car park, but it's a bit small, so you might have to wait for a spot to open up.

Is the restaurant noisy?

It can be, especially during peak hours. The park next door can get a bit loud, but it's not usually a problem.

Do they have a rooftop terrace?

Yes, they do! The rooftop terrace is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal or snack.

What's the food quality like?

The food quality is top-notch, and they've got a great selection of drinks too.

Can I get food delivered?

Yes, you can! They've got a special delivery number that makes it easy to get food without having to leave your car.

check_circlePros

•The building itself is a separate structure with its own little infrastructure, including two floors and a rooftop terrace.
•The interior design is sleek and modern, with spacious halls and a lobby.
•The menu offers a variety of cuisines to choose from, so you're bound to find something you like.
•The staff is super friendly and welcoming, making you feel right at home.
•The prices are pretty reasonable, especially considering the quality of the food.
•They offer a special delivery number, which makes it easy to get food without having to leave your car.
•The rooftop terrace is a great place to relax and enjoy a meal or snack.
•The food quality is top-notch, and they've got a great selection of drinks too.

cancelCons

•The location can be a bit of a pain to get to without a car – you'll need to take a bus and then walk a bit.
•If you don't have a car, getting here on public transport can be a hassle.
•The lack of convenient parking can be a problem for drivers.
•The restaurant is not exactly in the middle of nowhere, but it's definitely not in the most convenient location when it comes to logistics.
•The car park is a bit small, so you might have to wait for a spot to open up.
•The park next door can be a bit noisy, especially during peak hours.
•The restaurant can get pretty crowded during peak hours, so be prepared for a wait.
•The prices might be a bit higher than what you'd expect for the location.