Tarık is a warm and friendly host. I stayed with him for my first month in Istanbul while I searched for a home. It was a stressful time, but Tarık's calm home and willingness to help me were just what I needed. I think if I'd been more sociable and less busy, Tarık would have been happy to show me some of the city too.
His bohemian home is light and spacious. Beşiktaş is on your doorstep, with bus and ferry links to everywhere more or less on the doorstep. The nearby bakeries are particularly good. I strongly recommend you stay at Tarık's.