Ottoman Feast

About the Ottoman Feast Walk in Istanbul

Today's Turkish cuisine has its roots in the 17th century when the Ottoman Empire introduced new dishes, new recipes, and finely wrought ways of eating. In the same way that the aristocracy surrounding the court of the king of France put into motion the next 200 years of French, so it is here in Istanbul with the Ottomans.

In the company of an expert chef, we will sit down to a multi-course meal at the famous Asitane restaurant. As our host takes us through the history of the Ottoman court and its lavish parties and the role of food, the chefs at Asitane will tempt our palates with a series of traditional dishes. Depending on the season, we may enjoy such dishes as fish kabob, a rich variety of pilafs, borek, or stuffed eggplants. While we eat, our host will lecture on the origins of Ottoman cuisine and the significance of each dish through history.

By the time we depart, we'll have journeyed through time, both in atmosphere and taste.