For starters, we have to mention the spectacular view. What sets Mirror apart from the other restaurants in Reina is that it is located in a separate section overlooking the legendary dance floor. This means that Mirror patrons are able to enjoy their dinner with the light background music playing at a civilised volume. This exclusive treatment is evident from the minute you enter Mirror through the VIP door. Yet while the Bosphorus-adjacent setting and attentive service are nice, what keeps people coming back to Mirror is the top-notch cuisine.
The menu overseen by Chef Rocco Strazzera features all the regular Italian fare, from antipasti, soups and salads to pasta, risotto, pizzas, mouth-watering entrees and indulgent desserts. Mirror also offers a rich selection of domestic and Italian wines. For starters, we highly recommend the beef Carpaccio served with sundried tomatoes, balsamic dressing and a generous sprinkling of Parmesan cheese. The quality of ingredients is immediately noticeable in this simple and elegant dish, with the Parmesan – as well as all the other Italian cheeses used in Mirror’s kitchen – being imported from Italy. Another light dish that’s worth a try is the insalata tricolore, which comes with cherry tomatoes, avocado, mozzarella, olive oil and a delectable pesto sauce. We’re tempted by the pizza but can’t pass up the pasta when the words ‘homemade’ precede its description. The lobster tagliatelle served with white wine sauce is one of the bestselling pasta dishes at Mirror, and it’s no wonder – the texture of succulent lobster is unlike any other we’ve had in Istanbul.
The seafood linguine is just as successful, featuring shrimp cooked to perfection served alongside some of the freshest saltwater delicacies. To top off our meal, we opt for the classic Italian dessert: homemade Tiramisu – which, at Mirror, comes with hazelnuts. Unlike most of the other ‘Italian’ (or, should we say, ‘Italian-inspired’) restaurants around the city, the Tiramisu at Mirror is no spongy cake doused in coffee. With just one bite, we confirm that this sinfully delicious dessert is made with true mascarpone cheese, brandy and amaretto. Though a bit on the heavier side, the chocolate soufflé served with vanilla sauce and vanilla ice cream is another to-die-for option at Mirror.
FROM THE MENU
Beef Carpaccio 32 TL
Tagliatelle with lobster 43 TL
Linguine with seafood 39 TL
Homemade Tiramisu with hazelnuts 25 TL
Chocolate soufflé 25 TL