Week No. 261
Guest Curator: Ilay Karateke
We love turning to our friends for recommendations—the people with a perspective, an expertise, and something to say. The ones who always know the best new spot, the hidden gem, or the thing worth trying. So, we’re opening up their recs to the world.
I’m always drawn to people who blend worlds—who can move between cities, cultures, and careers with style and intention. Ilay Karateke is one of those people. Raised in Istanbul and now based in New York, she brings a kind of farmer’s market chic sensibility to everything she touches: effortless but considered, grounded but bright. I’ve been admiring her aesthetic from afar (textured knits, sunny facades, and tables you want to be invited to) and was thrilled to be introduced by our mutual friend (and former Guest Curator!) Mickey from Sabah.
Ilay is the co-founder and CEO of BEZI— a maker & purveyor of labneh, a Mediterranean dairy dip, currently offered in plain, everything, and red pepper flavors. BEZI launched in September 2024, retail first—starting with local favorite grocery stores in NYC and with the dream of making labneh 'a thing' here in the US. She is an Istanbul-raised, New York-based, ex-McKinsey consultant turned labneh entrepreneur. Follow along @ilaykarateke and @eatbezi
Stay of the Week
An Under-The-Radar Mediterranean Vacation
Being Turkish, my summers basically revolve around counting down the days until I can lie next to the Mediterranean Sea and lose myself in a book. I’m lucky to have a summer outpost right next to one of my favorite hotels—Bodrum Loft. It’s a small, private spot with the most gorgeous beach. We stayed at Bodrum Loft with my closest girlfriends on a beautifully warm early October day that still felt like summer—and we had the best vacation. So if you’re looking for an under-the-radar Bodrum/Mediterranean vacation, this is it. I’ll be right there with you right across this hotel all of August for my yearly reset.
Restaurant of the Week
A True New York Staple
After so many rainy spring days, we suddenly found ourselves at Waverly Inn with friends visiting from London on a drizzly Thursday night—and it reminded me just how much I love this restaurant. It’s a true New York staple: one of those timeless spots that never go out of style and always is a good time. The restaurant has a new menu (with labneh in it!) and was packed at midnight on a Thursday... worth a revisit.
Shop of the Week
A Go-To Summer Shop (+ Nonprofit Teaching Farm!)
There’s nothing that feels more like summer to me than fresh produce and flowers. Amber Waves out in Amagansett is my go-to shop for the season ahead—offering fruits and vegetables from their own garden and a charming kitchen program serving up salads and burritos made from the freshest crops around. They also hold a special place in my heart: not only were they the first shop to carry BEZI, but they’re also a nonprofit teaching farm—training future farmers, feeding local families, and educating eaters of all ages. If you find yourself out East this summer, it’s a must-visit on my list.