LALEDAN: RAPTURE FOR DISCRIMINATING TASTEBUDS
Çiragan Palace Kempinski's lauded as the "Ultimate Luxury Hotel", a regal residence that was immaculately rebuilt in the 90s from the sooty remains of the last Ottoman palace built on the shores of the Bosphorus. It's decadently posh; it's over-the-top classic glitz are the must for moneyed travelers searching for the ultimate water-lapped digs while in exotic Stambul.
So it's fitting that the property also boasts two world-class restaurants -- Laledan and Tugra -- that serve fish fare indigenous to the surrounding waters and Ottoman cuisine, respectively. But forget about the reviews you may have read from other traveling scribes ranting about Laledan's spectacular meat dishes and tantalizing desserts; its carte was tweaked just over a year ago to focus primarily on marine cuisine -- obvious effort to make the locale stand out from the property's other distinctive diner.
And that it does supremely well with a delicate menu, indelible dishes, and a gilded atmosphere by the straits that'll tax even the deepest of wallets. And for just cause.... The inspiration for Laledan's broad array of meze -- typical, yet exquisitely crafted -- originates from the culinarily-renown island of Cunda off of Ayvalik's coast. Aegan cuisine at its mouth-watering best, boasting a splendid panoply of herbs cloaked in garlic and olive oil. The once lackluster wine list was also overhauled in 2007 to feature the best of Turkish wines, alongside international crus. But why sip vino when Bosphorus + Fish = Raki? There are more than 20 brands to choose from.
The inside dining room's grand but the broad marble terrace with its colorful landscaping beckons guests to imbibe and sup while basking in a crimson sunset over Sultanahmet and the myriad reflections bopping to the Bosphorus' ebony flow. There's also the secluded Iznik Room, where couples can do, well, just about anything in posh seclusion.
ESSENTIALS
Address: Çiragan Palace Kempinski, Çiragan Cad. 32; Besiktas Phone: 0212 259 03 94 Web: www.kempinski-istanbul.com Reservations: diningreservations.ciragan@kempinski-istanbul.comBu mail adresi spam botlara karsi korumalidir, görebilmek için Javascript açik olmalidir Hours of operation: 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily. Breakfast buffet (7 - 11 am), Lunch (noon -3 pm), and dinner (7 - 11 pm, except Sundays).
STRICTLY SPEAKING
ENTREE = ANA YEMEK (Pron. anayiehmehk)