Tasting Notes
Garden 1897 is on Şehit Mehmetpaşa Sokağı in Küçük Ayasofya, inside the Garden House Hotel. It is open from noon until midnight, and booking is recommended.
Ottoman and Anatolian cooking, listed apart
The Ottoman section has hünkar beğendi, lamb shank, the stuffed chicken dishes Sultan Tavuk Sarması and Şehzade Tavuk, musakka, Çökertme kebab and a testi kebab cooked in a clay jug for two. The Anatolian section covers Adana kebab, lamb chops, ali nazik, aubergine kebab and clay-pot dishes, plus a mixed kebab for two.
Stone oven, fish and vegetarian dishes
From the stone oven come lahmacun, several pides and Padişah Fermanı, a closed pide filled with minced lamb. Fish is grilled sea bass, sea bream or salmon, or prawns in a clay pot. The vegetarian list is separate and includes a clay-pot vegetable dish and a vegetarian testi for two. Desserts include katmer, künefe, baked rice pudding, cheesecake and a chocolate soufflé.
“Book ahead, share one of the testi dishes made for two, and finish with katmer.”
LR Kitchen — field note