Having had been a vegetarian for 18 years, I found it quite fitting to do a review of this almost total vegetarian restaurant now. The atmosphere at Parsifal, which is French for Puss 'n' Boots, is elegant, yet sparse. It has a warm provincial feel with ochre walls, bleached hardwood floors and simple, bistro style table and chairs to seat 34. The posters and lighting are reminiscent of a Paris of years ago that was conjured up on a Hollywood film set; cozy but not glitzy. Tucked away on a tiny street behind the Fitas cinema, Parsifal is a quiet respite from the hectic chaos of nearby Istiklal Caddesi. The feel is upbeat, positive and young; a total contrast with the stress and hassles of the boulevard.

The service is quick and efficient making it beneficial for the specially priced lunch. It's only 3,000,000 TL for the soup du jour, a salad and a main dish choice. We were quickly served plenty of warm corn bread and whole wheat bread with an herbed spicy butter that was a delicious treat in this part of town. The prices are reasonable and the portions are generous. An example of this is a tasty stuffed cabbage roll with spicy red sauce and yogurt we ordered to share as a starter, which was more than adequate for a main dish at only 2100 TL. The presentation and plating of dishes is simple yet colourful without garish garnishes