Good People of vitruta: Sinan Kızıklı

Welcome to Good People, Sinan! Let’s start with the classic question: Who is Sinan Kızıklı? How did your journey begin, how’s it going, and what are you working on?

Thank you! It’s a joy and pleasure to be here. Sinan is someone who loves food, enjoys spending time in nature, and has a deep love for the sea. I’m the chef and co-owner of Simone, located on the sixth floor of Ruz Hotels.

My journey in the food and beverage industry actually began in 2016, when I made the sudden decision to change careers. I’ve always loved cooking and spending time with loved ones, so I decided to leave the corporate world to pursue my own dreams and goals. After gaining experience in various restaurants, I moved to London to live and receive professional culinary training. I went on to work as a chef in different restaurants and private events across London, and I also spent some time working in Berlin before returning to London. Soon after, the pandemic brought me back to Turkey, where I continued my career as a chef on a private 45-meter yacht.

While looking for a place to create a venue where people could enjoy delicious food and a pleasant atmosphere, Simone was born on the rooftop of Ruz Hotels. Being in Asmalı Mescit is energizing; we had an amazing spring and summer after opening our doors in June 2022. We’ve grown and evolved during this time, and now we’re eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring.

Looking forward, I feel hopeful. I’m excited for even better days to come, for the time when Asmalı Mescit will be bustling once again with lively crowds.

Simone is a place that comes alive from morning to night, offering a wide variety of options for dining and drinking. Can you share your perspective on Simone?

Simone is a relaxed spot in the mornings and a romantic venue in the evenings. We kick off the day with breakfast in the early hours, and after 1:30 PM, we keep serving our guests with dishes inspired by Mediterranean cuisine. Simone spans two floors at the top of Ruz Hotels. Our restaurant is on the sixth floor, and our terrace bar is on the fifth. On Fridays and Saturdays, our DJs bring the terrace bar to life with music. Every day, we witness a magical sunset at Simone. Starting this month, we’re also preparing to bid farewell to the sun with our sunset parties at the bar on the fifth floor.

Simone opened its doors to guests in June 2022 and has been growing and evolving ever since. We continue to welcome guests with our delicious cocktails, a wine menu featuring boutique Turkish wine producers, and a seasonally changing dinner menu.

How did the idea of bringing Simone to life come about?

My dream was to create a restaurant where people could enjoy themselves and share memorable experiences. My return to Turkey during the pandemic was the main reason behind this. In a way, you could say that Simone emerged from my own retreat. The restaurant I had planned to open along the Aegean coast became a reality atop Ruz Hotels, featuring an iconic view of Istanbul. Many people contributed their efforts and support to bring Simone to life, and I’d like to express my gratitude to them here.

If vitruta were a person and came to Simone, what do you think they would enjoy eating and drinking? What would you recommend?

That’s a tough question! :) Simone starts the day with breakfast at 8 AM, and we have a modern breakfast menu. My favorites include poached eggs with smoked salmon on toast, accompanied by fresh-pressed juices like celery green apple detox. And if I were to indulge, I would definitely recommend a glass of Paşaeli Çal Karası for vitruta.

For dinner, I would suggest starting with a green salad, fried zucchini flowers filled with three different Turkish cheeses, and pan-fried beef slices. For the main course, I would go with organic village chicken cooked using the confit technique. Enjoying cocktails and wine at Simone while overlooking Galata is truly delightful. My favorite cocktail is the Cabron, crafted by our talented bartenders! Wine is very important to us; our menu was prepared in collaboration with Selin Osmanoğlu, who is also a “Good Person.” We work exclusively with boutique Turkish producers and update our menu 2-3 times a year.

The views of Pera, Galata Tower, and the Golden Horn are truly exceptional. What does this neighborhood mean to you, especially since you live here?

Pera, Asmalı Mescit, and Cihangir are areas I’ve admired since my youth, enchanted by their energy. They are some of the few places in Istanbul where we can fully experience the city’s architecture and history. It’s a gem that reminds young people of our roots in every detail. Additionally, being a tourist area makes it very cosmopolitan and colorful. When Simone was born, I was fully confident that Asmalı Mescit would return to its former glory, and I still believe that. I eagerly await the beautiful days ahead when more wonderful people will fill the area.

Which cities abroad do you enjoy visiting the most, and what do you like to do in those cities?

London holds a special place for me, as it’s where I pursued my master’s degree and culinary training during my early career years. Being a city that sets trends in the food and beverage industry, London remains a place I constantly want to explore. My most recent trip was to Mexico, which I found to be incredible. I loved how they preserve their traditions and cultures while beautifully interpreting them over the years. I also derive immense joy from discovering different cultures and their blends. Due to my interest in sailing, I find great happiness exploring Greece and countries with Mediterranean and Aegean coastlines.

What are your three favorite brands at vitruta?

Rains is definitely my top choice. My love for sailing and spending time in nature draws me to Rains for its style and functionality. For sneakers, I prefer VEJA. They are simple, beautiful, practical, and comfortable. I also really love vitruta’s own productions—they are high-quality and accessible. Especially during the fall, I’ve found myself buying sweatshirts from the Pera store to save the day when I was feeling chilly! :)

For the products styled by Melis Güven and selected by Sinan Kızıklı during the shoot, you can click here.