2007-2008 Winter Group Menus
The large and airy Asitane Restaurant serves imperial Ottoman cuisine, incorporating Central Asian, Anatolian, Middle Eastern and Balkan flavours, resulting from the intensive research undertaken at three palace kitchens (Dolmabahce, Topkapi and Edirne) to test and recreate long-forgotten imperial dishes, whose recipes were traditionally kept secret. Some of the rediscovered dishes on the menu such as Veal in Apple Sauce, Stuffed Quince and Lamb Chuck with Plums were served in the palace. It's not often that you'll get the opportunity to sample Ottoman dishes devised especially for a 16th-century royal feast, but this is what's on offer here. The food is magnificent, the surroundings are modern and elegant, the restaurant features comfortable seating, pristine napery and an outdoor courtyard for summer dining. Vegetarians as well catered for.

WINTER GROUP MENU 1 - CHORA
Hassa Soup
A light broth with wheat and vegetables
House Green Salad
Garden greens tossed in our homemade "Dilber" dressing
Chicken Roulade with Apricots
Milk Pudding with Almonds
Tea / Coffee

WINTER GROUP MENU 2 - DERSAADET
Cold Appetiser Platter
Hibesh
Crushed chickpeas flavoured with cumin, garlic, tahini, chili pepper and lemon juice
Vartabit
Bean salad with tahini and spices
Imam Bayildi
Eggplant stuffed with caramelized onions and cooked with olive oil
Seasonal Salad
Sailor's Roll
Rolled pastry with cheese and peas served with honey
Sultan's Favorite
Stew of cubed veal served on a bed of buttery eggplant puree
Helatiyye
Gum pudding, fruit, and nuts served in rose sherbet
Tea / Coffee

WINTER GROUP MENU 3 - HASSA
Cold Appetiser Platter
Spinach Root cooked with Olive Oil
Stuffed Vine Leaves with Sour Cherries
Circassian Style Chicken
Chicken with walnuts and spices
Hibesh
Crushed chickpeas flavoured with cumin, garlic, tahini, chili pepper and lemon juice
House Green Salad with Herbs and Pelt-Bag Cheese
Cheese Patties
Lightly fried "lor" cheese patties with parsley and peppermint
Stuffed Quince
Oven baked quince stuffed with minced lamb, veal, rice, pine nuts, and currants
Pumpkin and Fig Delight served with Clotted Cream
Tea / Coffee / Sherbet

WINTER GROUP MENU 4 - SARAY
Cold Appetiser Platter
Vartabit
Bean salad with tahini and spices
Circassian Style Chicken
Chicken with walnuts and spices
Fava
Creamed Broad beans,seasoned with dill and olive oil
Hibesh
Crushed chickpeas flavoured with cumin, garlic, tahini, chili pepper, and lemon juice
Stuffed Vine Leaves with Sour Cherries
Cabbage Roll with Mussels
House Green Salad with Herbs in Pomegranate Dressing
Hassa Bourek
Rolled pastry with green olives, walnuts and spices
Grilled Circassian Cheese with Oyster Mushrooms
Goose Kebab
Desserts from the Palace
Almond Halva, Helatiye, Sour Cherry Special
Seasonal Fruits
Tea / Coffee / Sherbet